My Baseball - A thorough analysis of the moving story of the pursuit of the hot ball of youth

My Baseball - A thorough analysis of the moving story of the pursuit of the hot ball of youth

"My Baseball": A work that marked the dawn of Japanese animation

"My Baseball" is a Japanese animated film released in 1930, and is noted for its historical value and unique story development. This work depicts a baseball game between the Tanuko team and the Usako team, and offers a glimpse into the technology and creativity of Japanese animation at the time. Below, we will introduce detailed information and reviews of this work, as well as recommended points.

Overview

■ Public Media
theater
■ Original Media
Anime Original
■ Release date
March 1930
■Frequencies
15 min
■ Number of Episodes
Episode 1
■Original Story
Chuzo Aochi
■ Director
Illustration by Yasuji Murata
■ Production
Yokohama Cinema Company

story

■ Story

A baseball game between the Tanuki team and the Usako team. The Tanuki team dominates the game, and in the fifth inning, the captain of the Tanuki team hits a home run that clears the bases. The ball falls into the forest, and a frog swallows it, mistaking it for an egg, but it doesn't dissolve, so he suffers. The rabbits who are searching for the ball help him, and he finally spits it out, but the ball is useless, and the game ends with a lost ball.
Source: History of Japanese Animation Films, pp. 201-202

Main Staff

■ Main staff

Original story and adaptation by Chuzo Aoji. Illustration and direction by Yasuji Murata.

Background and historical significance of the work

"My Baseball" was produced in the 1930s, at the dawn of Japanese animation, and by understanding the historical background, you can appreciate the work more deeply. At that time in Japan, animated films were still a new medium, and there was much trial and error going on both technically and artistically. Yokohama Cinema Shokai in particular was a company that was actively involved in early animation production, and "My Baseball" was produced as part of that effort.

This work was created through the powerful collaboration of the original story by Chuzo Aochi and the illustrations and direction by Yasuji Murata. Chuzo Aochi was a screenwriter who was active in the Japanese animation industry at the time, and his unique storytelling adds depth to the work. Meanwhile, Yasuji Murata was in charge of both illustration and direction, and is highly regarded for his technical ability and artistry.

Story Details and Analysis

The story of "My Baseball" revolves around a baseball game between Team Tanuko and Team Usako. The raccoon team is dominating the game, and in the fifth inning, the captain of the raccoon team hits a huge home run that clears the bases. However, this home run is a turning point in the story. The ball falls into the forest, and a frog mistakes it for an egg and swallows it. The frog suffers because the ball does not dissolve, and the rabbits who have been searching for it come to his rescue and finally spit it out, but the ball is unusable and the game ends in a lost game.

This story is not just about a baseball game, but also about the coexistence of nature and animals, and the importance of responding to unexpected events. In particular, the scene where the toad swallows the ball is humorous yet symbolic of the strangeness and danger of the natural world. The scene where the rabbits work together to save the toad also emphasizes the value of teamwork and friendship.

Characters and Settings

The characters in "My Baseball" are made up of animals from the Tanuko team and the Usako team. The Tanuko team is made up of raccoon dogs, and the Usako team is made up of rabbits, and each team has its own unique character. In particular, the big home run by the raccoon team captain symbolizes the strength of the characters and the unity of the team. The presence of the toad also adds a humorous element to the story, helping to draw in the viewers.

The setting is unique, with a baseball game taking place in a forest. This setting depicts the fusion of nature and sports, providing viewers with a fresh perspective. The ball falling into the forest also shows the uncertainty of the natural environment and the difficulty of responding to it.

Animation technique and artistry

Considering the technical standards of the 1930s, "My Baseball" is a work of extremely high animation technique and artistry. In particular, Yasuji Murata's drawings realistically depict the movements of the animals, leaving a strong impression on the viewer. In addition, the speed and fluidity of the movements in the baseball game scenes are skillfully expressed, enhancing the visual appeal.

Furthermore, this work also has a clever use of color. The colors of the natural scenery and animals are in harmony, enhancing the visual beauty. In particular, the forest scenes skillfully use different shades of green, creating a sense of visual depth.

Evaluation and acceptance

"My Baseball" was highly praised when it was released, especially for its unique story and technical perfection. It also holds an important place in the history of Japanese animation, and has influenced subsequent generations of animation production.

The film has received very positive reactions from viewers, especially from children. The humorous storyline and endearing animal characters have captured the hearts of children, while adults have also praised the film for its artistic and technical perfection, making it a film the whole family can enjoy.

Recommended points and how to watch

We recommend "My Baseball" for the following reasons:

  • Historical value : This is a representative work from the dawn of Japanese animation, and you can feel its historical significance.
  • Unique story : The unique setting of a baseball game between Team Tanu and Team Usa and the humorous plot developments make this a fascinating story.
  • Technical Accomplishment : Considering the state of the art in the 1930s, this film is an extremely skilled and artistic work.
  • Family-friendly : Stories and characters that will appeal to both kids and adults.

It is currently available to watch on DVD or online streaming services. It is highly recommended for those who are interested in the history of Japanese animation and those who want to enjoy it with their families. This work will also be a valuable resource for those who want to feel the technological evolution of animation.

Related works and recommendations

If you enjoyed "My Baseball," you might also like these related titles:

  • "Momotaro's Sea Eagles" : A Japanese animated film released in 1943, known as a wartime propaganda piece. It has been highly praised for its technical and artistic merits, and like "My Baseball," it gives a sense of the history of Japanese animation.
  • "Animal Olympics" : This is an American animated film released in 1928, and features a unique setting in which animals participate in the Olympics. Like "My Baseball Game," you can enjoy the humorous antics of animals.
  • "Snow White" : Disney's 1937 animated film, it was the first successful full-color feature-length animated film. It was technically and artistically innovative, and like "My Baseball Game," you can feel the evolution of animation in this film.

Although these works are from different eras and backgrounds, they all show the appeal and potential of animation. After watching "My Baseball," be sure to check out these other works as well.

summary

"My Baseball" is a Japanese animated film released in 1930 that is appealing for its historical significance and unique storyline. This work, which depicts a baseball game between the Tanuko and Usako teams, has been highly praised both technically and artistically, and is widely supported by audiences. In particular, it has a story and characters that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, making it perfect for watching with the family. It is also highly recommended for those who are interested in the history of Japanese animation and those who want to feel the technical evolution of animation. Please watch this work and feel its charm.

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