"Chopstick Snake" Review: An innovative story and appealing characters

"Chopstick Snake": A masterpiece that marks the dawn of Japanese animation

■Overview of the work

"Chongirehebi" (Chongire Hebi) is a Japanese animated film released in 1931. It was released in theaters and the original media was an anime original. It was released on March 19, 1931, distributed by Daiichi Eigasha and produced by Sumikazu Eiga Sosakusha. It was directed by Kouchi Junichi, who also handled animation and photography, and the original story was written by Maekawa Chiho. The film is a four-minute long short animation that is self-contained in one episode.

■ Story

In the spring, a snake crawls out of its hibernation hole, with its body cut down the middle. A frog that had been swallowed jumps out through the cut in the body and is surprised to see a large snake in front of it. The snake orders the frog to go and call its tail, which remains in the hole. The frog and the snake, who has entered the tail, engage in a fierce battle and decide the winner by tossing a ball. When the frog throws a ball that lands in the snake's mouth, four or five of the frogs that had been swallowed earlier emerge from its stomach. The snake is so hungry that it swallows its own tail, and so its body is successfully reconnected. This unique story is recorded on page 203 of the History of Japanese Animation Films.

■Explanation

Kouchi Junichi established Sumika's Eiga Sosakusha in 1923, using his home as a studio. From 1924 to 1927, he produced promotional animation for politics and political parties. After that, during the hiatus, he drew newspaper cartoons, but in 1930, he again produced talkie animation using the International Recording Equipment. The original idea for "Chopping Hebi" was created by Maeda Chiho, a popular manga artist at the time. This work is highly regarded as an early animation work that combines Kouchi Junichi's technique with Maeda Chiho's creativity.

■ Main staff

・Original story: Chiho Maekawa ・Illustration and photography: Junichi Kouchi ・Dialogue: Shiro Otsuji

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Chopped Snake" is an appealing work with its unique story and humorous direction. It is full of visually pleasing elements, such as a fight scene between a snake and a frog and a ball-throwing contest. The ending, in which the snake swallows its own tail and reconnects its body, will surprise and amuse the audience. This work is excellent in terms of storytelling, while making full use of early animation techniques.

Junichi Kouchi's drawing techniques were pioneering in the Japanese animation world at the time. His works were not just entertainment, but also contained social messages. "Chopstick Snake" is one such example, which satirizes human stupidity and desires through humor. Chiho Maekawa's original work was also strongly influenced by the manga culture of the time, and his unique worldview is reflected in the animation.

■ Background and historical significance

The 1930s, when "Chonkire Hebi" was produced, was a time when Japanese animation began to develop rapidly. Junichi Kouchi pursued new possibilities in animation by producing talkie animation during this period. His work had a great influence on the later development of Japanese animation. Chiho Maekawa's original work also reflected the trends in manga culture at the time, providing viewers with a familiar story.

This work occupies an important place in the history of Japanese animation films. Its fusion of early animation techniques and storytelling had a major influence on later animation works. Furthermore, "Chopstick Snake" is highly regarded as an early animation work that brings together Junichi Kouchi's technique and Chiho Maekawa's creativity.

■ Recommendations to viewers

"Chopping Hebi" is recommended for those who want to enjoy early animation works and those who are interested in the history of Japanese animation. It is also a perfect work for those who want to enjoy a humorous story and unique direction. It is a short 4 minutes long movie, but it is packed with visually enjoyable content, so please give it a watch.

■ Related works and recommendation list

If you enjoyed "Chopstick Snake," we also recommend the following works. These works are also early animation works, and you can enjoy other works by Junichi Kouchi and Chiho Maekawa.

• "Momotaro's Sea Eagle": a Japanese animated film released in 1943. Directed by Junichi Kouchi, it was produced as war propaganda.
• "Urashima Taro": A Japanese animated film released in 1918. It is known as Japan's first full-length animated film.
• "Maeda Chiho's Manga Collection": A collection of manga works by Maekawa Chiho. You can enjoy other works by Maekawa Chiho, who created the original story of "Chonkire Hebi".

■ Summary

"Chopstick Snake" should be highly acclaimed as an early animation work. This work, which combines Junichi Kouchi's technique and Chiho Maekawa's creativity, is full of visually enjoyable content. The humorous story and unique direction will surprise and delight the viewer. Please watch it and experience the dawn of Japanese animation.