Exploring why ocean water is salty: In-depth analysis and evaluation of the anime "Why is the ocean salty?"

The appeal and background of "Why is ocean water salty?"

Overview

"Why is the Sea Salty?" is a Japanese animated film released in 1935. Despite its short running time (10 minutes), it has captivated audiences with its profound message and beautiful visuals. Based on a folk tale from the Tohoku region, the film tells the story of a greedy older brother and an honest younger brother, and makes viewers reflect on humanity and morality.

story

The story begins with a day before New Year's, when two brothers appear: a greedy older brother and an honest younger brother. The older brother coldly rejects his younger brother's request for mochi, but the younger brother later saves an old man who is about to fall off a log bridge. The grateful old man tells the younger brother about the existence of mysterious forest dwarves and their favorite food, manju. In exchange for the manju, the younger brother obtains a "treasure mortar," which starts to produce anything he wants, and the once poor younger brother suddenly becomes the richest man in the village. The older brother steals his brother's mortar and sets out to sea on a small boat with the mortar and food in an attempt to live a luxurious life by himself. However, he realizes that he has forgotten to load salt, and when he chants a spell, the inside of the boat becomes a mountain of salt, and the older brother, not knowing how to stop it, sinks the boat. The mortar continues to rotate on the ocean floor, and thus the legend that the seawater becomes salty is born.

Background

The film was produced by Yokohama Cinema Shokai and directed by and illustrated by Yasuji Murata. It was adapted and scripted by Chuzo Aochi, and uses the new medium of animation to tell a story based on the traditional literature of the Tohoku region. In 1930s Japan, animation was still a new art form, and Why Does the Sea Salt? was praised for its attempt to animate a folk tale.

Visuals and Music

The visuals of this work are very sophisticated considering the technical standards of the time. Yasuji Murata's drawings skillfully express emotions through the characters' expressions and movements, particularly visually conveying the younger brother's kindness and the older brother's greed. The backgrounds are also beautifully depicted, with forest and seascapes adding to the atmosphere of the story. Music is used effectively to accompany the story's development, especially in the climax scenes, where it helps to heighten the sense of tension.

Theme and Message

"Why is the Sea Salty?" is a work that makes viewers think deeply about humanity and morality through the contrast between greed and honesty. The story of how the older brother's greed ultimately destroys him while the younger brother's honesty leads him to happiness asks the viewer, "What is the right way to live?" The legend of the sea becoming salty also makes viewers think about the relationship between nature and humans by linking a natural phenomenon to human behavior.

Evaluation and impact

The film was highly acclaimed when it was released in 1935, and was especially praised for its storytelling and visual beauty. It also holds an important place in the history of Japanese animation films, influencing later generations of animators. Furthermore, its attempt to animate a folk tale had a major impact on later Japanese animation culture, with many works now depicting stories based on folk tales and legends.

Recommendations and how to watch

"Why is the Sea Salty?" is a short film with a deep message and beautiful visuals, and is especially recommended for those who are interested in animation and folk tales. It is currently available to watch on DVD and online streaming services. Also, the related book "History of Japanese Animation Films" is a useful reference, so if you are interested, please pick it up.

Related information

The following information is related to this work:

• A detailed explanation is provided on page 214 of "History of Japanese Animation Films."
• Research books on traditional literature from the Tohoku region are also useful references.
• Yasuji Murata's other works are also interesting, so be sure to check them out.

summary

"Why is the Sea Salty?" is a Japanese animated film released in 1935. Despite its short running time, it has captivated audiences with its profound message and beautiful visuals. Through the story of a greedy older brother and an honest younger brother, it makes you think about humanity and morality, and is a recommended work especially for those who are interested in animation and folk tales. Please watch it once and experience its charm.