The appeal and evaluation of "Donkey": A must-read review for anime fans

The Appeal and Historical Significance of "The Donkey"

The animated film "Donkey" released in 1931 is a work that, despite its short running time, depicts a profound theme and made a significant impact on the history of prewar Japanese animation. The story depicts the danger of blindly trusting the words of others without having solid opinions of your own, through a father-son farmer on his way to the market to sell his donkey, following the advice of passers-by and ultimately causing the donkey to fall into a river. This theme is still very relatable today, and the film has a universal appeal.

Background and production of the work

"Donkey" was produced by Yokohama Cinema Company and commissioned by the Ministry of Education. It was directed and animated by Yasuji Murata, whose unique touch and storytelling underpin the film. It premiered on January 1, 1931, and although it was only 14 minutes long, its content was very dense and left a strong impression on viewers.

This work is an original anime, not adapted from any other media, so the story and characters were all created specifically for animation, making it an example of the creativity and potential of Japanese animation at the time.

Story Details

The story of "Donkey" begins with a farmer and his son going to the market to sell their donkey. On the way, they meet various people and act according to their opinions. They start by arguing whether they should ride the donkey or let it walk, and gradually become more and more swayed by the opinions of those around them, and finally end up dropping the donkey into the river. This story teaches us the importance of having our own judgment and not being swayed by the opinions of others.

This theme is an important message, especially for the younger generation, and is often covered in school curriculum. Since it was commissioned by the Ministry of Education, it is highly regarded as a work of educational significance.

Characters and visuals

The characters in "Donkey" are simply a father and son farmer and a donkey, but the individuality and facial expressions of each character enrich the story. The facial expressions of the donkey in particular are a highlight of Yasuji Murata's drawing technique, encouraging the viewer to empathize with the character.

Visually, the film reflects the technology and style of the time, and even though it is animated in black and white, there is a great deal of attention to detail in the backgrounds and character movements, especially in the scene where the character falls into the river, which effectively conveys a sense of tension and tragedy.

Historical significance and evaluation

"Donkey" occupies an important place in the history of prewar Japanese animation. In 1931, Japanese animation was still in its infancy, and this work played a pioneering role in that time. In particular, as an animation dealing with educational themes, it can be said to be a precursor to later educational animation.

This work also helped to publicize the talents of Yasuji Murata. His drawing techniques and storytelling have had a major impact on later Japanese animation, inspiring many creators.

Contemporary Recognition and Influence

Even today, "Donkey" is highly regarded for its themes and historical significance. From an educational point of view, it is a good teaching material for teaching children the importance of making their own decisions. It is also an important work for learning about the history of animation, and is loved by many researchers and fans.

Furthermore, this work is a valuable resource for learning about the techniques and style of pre-war Japanese animation: although it is a black-and-white animation, its attention to detail and storytelling still have a connection to modern animation production.

Recommendations and how to watch

"Donkey" is a short film, but it has a deep theme and historical significance, so I highly recommend you to watch it at least once. In particular, from an educational point of view, it is a good opportunity to teach children the importance of having their own judgment. It is also a valuable resource for those who are interested in the history of animation.

Currently, it is possible to watch it on DVD or online. In particular, watching it together with books and materials on the history of Japanese animation films will help you to gain a deeper understanding of the work.

summary

"The Donkey" is a short animated film released in 1931, but it has a profound theme. A farmer and his son are on their way to the market to sell their donkey, but they follow the advice of passersby and end up dropping the donkey into a river. Through this story, the film depicts the danger of blindly trusting the words of others without having solid opinions of your own. This theme is still very relatable today, and the film has a universal appeal.

This work occupies an important place in the history of prewar Japanese animation and is also highly regarded from an educational perspective. In particular, Yasuji Murata's drawing techniques and storytelling had a major influence on later Japanese animation. Even today, it continues to be loved by many fans for its themes and historical significance.

We urge you to watch it and appreciate its deep themes and historical significance. "Donkey" is a short but memorable film that will teach you a lot.