To ask what genre Symbol, by Japanese director Hitoshi Matsumoto, belongs to tends to spoil its sophisticated conceptual approach. Symbol – The Asian Cinema Critic

( Shinboru ), the 2009 film written, directed by, and starring Japanese comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto, is a surrealist exploration of cause and effect, divinity, and the inherent absurdity of existence. The film's dual-narrative structure challenges traditional storytelling by juxtaposing physical comedy with metaphysical inquiry. Parallel Narratives and Convergence

The film follows two seemingly unrelated stories that eventually collide in a grand, cosmic climax:

: Matsumoto explores how a singular, seemingly meaningless action—like pressing a button for sushi—can ripple across the globe to affect another person's fate.