Tengu Extermination Review: A fascinating story and deep character development

"Tengu Extermination": A masterpiece that marks the dawn of Japanese animation

One of the works that is essential to the history of Japanese animation is "Tengu Taiji," released in 1934. This work is an important example of how animation was positioned in the prewar Japanese film industry, and it is also a work that had a major impact on the subsequent development of Japanese animation. In this article, we would like to provide detailed information about "Tengu Taiji," explore its appeal and historical significance, and help readers rediscover the value of this work.

Overview

"Tengu Taiji" is a Japanese animated film released in 1934. It was shown in theaters and the original media is an original anime. It was released in 1934 and distributed by Tokyo Cinema Shokai. The film is eight minutes long and has only one episode. It was directed by Ofuji Nobuo and produced by Chiyogami Eigasha. However, it was provided by Sanko Eigasha, as stated in the NFC data.

story

The story of "Tengu Extermination" is simple: to defeat the Tengu, a legendary Japanese monster. The story begins with a village being plagued by the mischief of a Tengu. The villagers select a brave young man to defeat the Tengu, and the story depicts him confronting the Tengu. The Tengu has great powers, but is ultimately defeated by the courage and wisdom of the young man. This story can be said to symbolize the conflict between good and evil in Japanese society at that time, and the importance of courage and wisdom.

Background

The 1930s, when "Tengu Extermination" was produced, was a time when Japanese animation was still in its infancy. Animation from this period was mainly produced as short films and often screened in theaters. "Tengu Extermination" was one of them, and the story had to be developed within the short time of eight minutes. However, within this constraint, director Ofuji Nobuo succeeded in maximizing the visual appeal through skillful direction and character design. Furthermore, Chiyogami Eigasha, the company in charge of production, is praised for its ability to produce high-quality animation by making full use of the technology of the time.

Character Design

The character designs in "Tengu Extermination" are a good example of the characteristics of Japanese animation at the time. Tengu are depicted as traditional Japanese monsters, with striking long noses and wings. The character designs of the young people are simple yet powerful, making them visually appealing. It is said that these character designs had a major influence on the character designs of later Japanese animation.

Music and Sound

The music and sound of "Tengu Extermination" are also important elements that enhance the appeal of the work. With the technology at the time, it was difficult to create animation with sound, but "Tengu Extermination" skillfully uses sound effects and music to complement the visual expression. In particular, the sound effects in the scenes where tengu appear and the music in the scene where the young man confronts the tengu are successful in conveying a sense of tension and excitement to the audience.

Historical Significance

"Tengu Extermination" occupies an important place in the history of Japanese animation. Released in 1934, this work is an example of the technique and expressiveness of pre-war Japanese animation, and it had a major impact on the subsequent development of Japanese animation. It is particularly noteworthy that it influenced later works in terms of character design and storytelling. It is also said that this work was one of the catalysts that led to the spread of Japanese animation around the world.

Appreciation and Acceptance

"Tengu Extermination" was highly praised when it was released. Audiences at the time were moved by the film's visual appeal and story development, and many flocked to the theater to see it. Critics also praised the film's technical perfection and artistic quality, and it drew attention as a work that showed the potential of Japanese animation. Even today, this work is considered an essential piece for learning about the history of Japanese animation.

Recommendations and how to watch

"Tengu Extermination" is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of Japanese animation. I would especially recommend it to anyone interested in the early days of animation, or who wants to learn about the history of character design and storytelling. It is also an important work for understanding how Japanese animation has developed, and will give you the basic knowledge you need to enjoy modern animation more deeply.

Currently, "Tengu Taiji" can be viewed on DVD or on the Internet. In particular, it can be viewed on archive sites that specialize in the history of Japanese animation, and at screenings in movie theaters. In addition, materials on the work may be available for viewing at libraries and university media centers, so if you are interested, be sure to check them out.

Related works and recommendation list

After enjoying "Tengu Extermination," we recommend watching other pre-war Japanese animation works and works with the theme of Tengu. Below, we introduce some related works and a list of recommendations.

• "Momotaro's Sea Eagle" (1942) - One of the masterpieces of pre-war Japanese animation, this film was produced as a propaganda film, and shows influences from "Tengu Extermination" in terms of character design and storytelling.
• "Urashima Taro" (1918) - One of the oldest animated films in Japan, this work shows the technique and expressiveness of prewar Japanese animation. Like "Tengu Extermination", it is an animated version of a traditional Japanese story.
• "Tengu" (1984) - An animated film themed around tengu, featuring character design and storytelling using modern technology. While influenced by "Tengu Taiji", it depicts the world of tengu from a unique perspective.

summary

"Tengu Extermination" occupies an important place in the history of Japanese animation, and its visual appeal and story development still have the power to attract many people today. Through this work, you can feel the technology and expressiveness of the early days of Japanese animation, and you can once again recognize the great influence it had on the subsequent development of Japanese animation. Also, by referring to related works and the recommended list, you should be able to enjoy the world of Japanese animation even more deeply. Please watch this work and feel its charm and historical significance.