Review of "Shipwreck Story Part 1: Sarugashima": A moving story of adventure and friendship

Story of the Shipwreck Part 1: Sarugashima - Nonsense Monogatari Part 1: Sarugashima

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

January 1931

■Frequencies

18 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■ Director

Kenzo Masaoka

■ Production

Nikkatsu Taiho Comic Film Department

■ Story

A sailing ship is wrecked during a storm. Hoping to save at least the baby, the captain and his wife put the baby in a box and set it adrift. The box washes up on an island inhabited only by monkeys. The monkeys take the baby as their ancestor and raise him with care. However, as the baby grows, he does not grow a tail or fur, so the monkeys start to bully him. One day, chased by the monkeys, the boy decides to leave the island, jumps off a high cliff into the sea, builds a raft and heads for a new world.

■Explanation

This was Kenzo Masaoka's first work. It has a serious theme of intolerance and conflict between humans and monkeys, which unfolds on a deserted island. The speedy scenes, such as the boy's sprint and his descent from a cliff, were revolutionary at the time and were well received for their dynamism. A sequel, Part 2 of Shipwreck Story, "Adventures at Sea," was produced in the same year.

■ Main staff

・Original work/adaptation/Hideo Shimizu ・Director/Kenzo Masaoka

Detailed evaluation and recommendation

Background and historical significance of the work

Released in 1931, "The Shipwreck Story: Part 1 - Monkey Island" was director Masaoka Kenzo's debut film and was produced by Nikkatsu's Taiho Animation Film Division. The film made a strong impression on audiences with its highly innovative animation techniques and storytelling for the time. In particular, the theme of conflict between humans and monkeys on a remote island symbolizes social intolerance and discrimination, and carries a deep message. A sequel, "Adventures at Sea," was also produced in the same year, and the film was highly acclaimed as part of a series.

The appeal and development of the story

The story begins with a sailing ship wrecked in a storm, and the captain and his wife putting a baby in a box and setting it adrift at sea. The setting in which the baby is washed up on an island inhabited only by monkeys and raised by them is very unique and captures the viewer's interest. As the baby grows and begins to show human characteristics, his relationship with the monkeys deteriorates, giving the viewer empathy and tension. The scene in which the boy jumps off a cliff, builds a raft to head for a new world, symbolizes hope and a spirit of adventure, and is very effective as the climax of the story.

Character portrayal and development

The protagonist's character, who grows from a baby to a young boy, is at the center of the story, and his growth is carefully depicted. In particular, the process of his relationship with the monkeys changing encourages viewers to empathize deeply with him. The monkeys themselves are also unique characters, and play an important role in depicting the conflict with humans. The psychological changes that the boy goes through before he finally decides to leave the island will also leave a strong impression on viewers.

Visual expression and technological innovation

This work uses visual expressions that were extremely advanced for its time in 1931. In particular, the scenes in which the boy runs and jumps off cliffs are characterized by their speedy and dynamic direction, which made a strong impact on audiences at the time. These scenes were drawn using hand-drawn animation techniques, and even from a modern perspective, the technical skill is astonishing. Furthermore, the scenery of the isolated island and the movements of the monkeys are depicted realistically, making for a highly visually appealing work.

Social messages and themes

"The Shipwreck Story: Part 1 - Monkey Island" depicts issues of intolerance and discrimination through the conflict between humans and monkeys. This reflects the concerns of Japanese society in the 1930s, giving the work deep social significance. Furthermore, the scene in which the boy sets out for a new world can be seen as a message of hope and hope for the future, sure to give courage to the viewer. This work is not just entertainment, but an important piece that raises social issues.

Recommendations and how to watch

"The Shipwreck Story, Part 1: Monkey Island" is a classic animated work that can be enjoyed by modern audiences as well. It is especially recommended for those who are interested in the history and technology of animation, and those who like works that depict social themes. Also, watching this work together with the sequel, "Adventure at Sea," will give you a deeper understanding and a deeper feeling. As for how to watch it, it may be available on DVD or online streaming services, so please look for them.

Related works and recommendation list

For viewers who enjoyed "The Tale of the Shipwreck, Part 1: Sarugashima," we would also like to recommend the following related works.

• "The Tale of the Shipwreck, Part 2: Adventure at Sea" - A sequel to this work, depicting the boy's new adventures.
• "Momotaro" - A masterpiece of Japanese animation from the 1930s, with a social message.
• "Astro Boy" - A work that depicts the conflict between humans and robots, and shares the same theme of dealing with social issues.

summary

"The Shipwreck Story: Part 1 - Monkey Island" was director Masaoka Kenzo's debut film, released in 1931, and depicts the conflict between humans and monkeys on a deserted island. It has many appealing aspects, such as the development of the story, the growth of the characters, the innovative visual expression, and the social message, making it a work that can be fully enjoyed by modern audiences as well. We encourage you to watch this film and experience its profound theme and technical appeal.