The anime "The Nose, or The Conspiracy of Mavericks" is based on Russian literary giant Gogol's short story "The Nose" and composer Shostakovich's opera of the same name. The first act follows the absurd story of an officer searching for his lost nose. The second act satirizes the relationship between Stalin and the writer Bulgakov. The third act commemorates outspoken artists and scientists who were executed, honoring the martyrs who dared to defy totalitarianism. The opera "The Nose" was banned by Stalin and only revived in the 1970s. Master animator Gorshanovsky (father of the director of "DAU. Natasha's Ordeal") spent half a century creating this work, which encompasses Soviet literature, music, and politics, blending various animation techniques. With its grand ambition and sharp satire, it stands as a pioneering animated masterpiece that combines drama, biography, farce, and musical theater.