They Were Eleven (1986) User Reviews

A forgotten classic

[happybrand · 8/10 · 18 July 2016]

This anime movie is completely unknown and never talked about. And this is very sad. I stumbled across this when I received a bunch of free anime movies from my job and after watching it, I was blown away at how much I loved it. The concept is so simple, yet it is done in such a way that is actually very compelling and well done. It's a mystery with an answer you didn't see coming.

It is not a very fast paced move by any stretch of the imagination so if you are expecting a high octane thrill ride then you should probably go somewhere else. There are 11 characters but you get to learn what makes each of them tick and it is actually sad when you have to see them leave as by the end of the film they feel like friends or even family. You feel that you are isolated with them and you are part of the crew. It is almost like VR in a way which is very cool.

Definitely underrated and more people need to see this

They Were Eleven (1986)

[SnakesOnAnAfricanPlain · 7/10 · 13 December 2011]

Excellent idea and some fantastic moments. They Were 11 is the story of 10 cadets going on a final training mission. However, once they arrive at the ship they discover that there are now 11 trainees. Who does not belong? Is this part of their final test? etc. The film soon descends into paranoia, as everybody suspects each other. Some become leaders, and some followers. For such a short running time, it was incredible to see most of the 11 get equal screen time. Despite its science fiction setting and anime style, the film is a bit dialog heavy. Most of it revolves around discussions as to who is the 11th person. It's more like a play at times, which can cause it to be stale. When there is action, it's well handled. We are also treated to some amazing characters. The main love interest isn't a female, but a hermaphrodite, that will be able to choose their sex at some point. They want to become a man, for a better position in the army, but they soon fall in love with one of their male coworkers. This is such a complex relationship, and unlike anything you'd ever see in western animation. It asks whether gender is important to love, and whether gender is important to careers. This relationship is enough to warrant its high rating.

What a great movie...

[Daguon13a · 10/10 · 18 September 2005]

This is classic anime at it's finest. I first saw this when it was released in 1992 on VHS and have loved the film ever since. I've only ever seen it a hand full of times but, even now the animation is still slick and the music is still great and compliments the action and suspense really well. A very well written sci-fi piece based on Moto Hagio's manga of the same name. In the far future, after a harsh era of war, a peace is settled among the planets of the galaxy and as a commemoration of the peace, an institution is set up to train and educate the galaxy's future leaders. The story focuses on a group of young applicants looking to enter the Cosmo Academy that are set to take the final entry exam...life on board a ship for 53 days with just the 10 of them. But, there's a catch...somehow there's been an extra member that's Zanuck on board the ship. Also, the test lasts for the entire 53 days without outside interference but, in case of a real emergency they can push a panic button and a rescue ship is sent immediately though the applicants fail the test. Paranoia and panic grip the members but, a common goal brings all the applicants together even though there is an air of distrust among them. One by one, accidents happen only to seemingly pinpoint one member, Tada, who has a sort of sixth sense that guides him. He is the only one that can tell the members are telling the truth about their real names and application numbers but, can't prove to the others who he says he is. But, Tada just wants to pass the exam like everyone else, right? Tempers flare, tensions run high and in the end it may end up a free for all. But, there are other mysteries to contend with as well as the eleventh member...for example: what is Tada's connection with the ship being used for the test? What about the conductor vines growing like mad in the ship's engine room? And who else on the ship has telepathy as strong (or stronger) than Tada? Everyone has a story and it's only a matter of time before it will come out. Will the applicants put away their own distrust and work together as a team to pass the exam or will their pride get in the way? Watch this movie and find out.

From the Queen of Sci-fi Manga with a Gender Twist

[patrickdrazen · 9/10 · 31 December 2013]

Based on one of the best works of Moto Hagio, whose sci-fi manga often played games with gender. In this case, in a future academy training people for space travel, the entrance exam comes down to a 53-day training flight with a crew of ten. When the mission starts, however, there are eleven on board. They need to figure out who the odd man is and why he's there; not to mention inconvenient power outages, bouts of temperament between applicants from different planets, and Frol. This student has long blonde hair and a far too pretty face, but is flat- chested and declares himself to be a male. Sorting out that question is perhaps the most important part of the anime: what makes up gender in the future, and--by extension--in the present. This has made Hagio a major manga artist, and this anime captures her story.

The anime was dubbed back in the 1980s, and the dub has limitations. Among these is Frol's being given a Texas accent--which was for a time a convention meant to set apart characters who spoke in a western Japan dialect (Kansai). Still, for me this is part of a trilogy of shoujo sci-fi--including Saki Hiwatari's classic "Please Save My Earth" and the seldom-seen "E.Y.E.S. of Mars".

Beautiful story of friendship and love

[Harapan · 10/10 · 19 May 1999]

Anime based on Hagio Moto's Comic. As a final examination of Space University, 10 exzminate were sent to an old spaceship. But when they got to the spaceship, they found they were eleven. Who's the uninvited guest? And what's his intention? Soon unexpected explosions occurred and causes the change in the course of the ship to the burning sun... It's a beautiful story of friendship and love, well conserved the mood of the original comic.

A timeless classic space opera

[raforehand · 10/10 · 17 January 2021]

They Were Eleven is an adaptation of Hagio Moto's manga of the same name. It features an intriguing science fiction setting, with dynamic fleshed out characters.

A group of ten young space cadet hopefuls are deposited on a derelict spaceship and tasked to survive as long as possible as a test. On arriving on board they realize, "There's eleven of us, not ten."

What ensues is both a taut, thriller as they work through who can be trusted while trying to balance against simply working together and surviving long enough to pass their test.

Each character has strong motivation for wanting to pass their test, and you really are drawn in to their story and their trials surviving as long as possible.

This film does diverge slightly from the source manga, some characters were altered or some of their stories changed to make this series fit into an hour and a half film, but it still brings Hagio Moto's imagination to life.

Despite being an older film now, it has some fascinating explorations of gender and gender identity, which just makes the film even better.