The appeal and evaluation of "The Sun and the Frog": A moving story and the depth of its characters

The Sun and the Frog: A Masterpiece of Prewar Japanese Animation

■Overview of the work

"The Sun and the Frog" (Ohisama to Kaeru) is a Japanese animated film released in 1936. It was released in theaters, and was based on a story by Shozo Sugiyama, directed by Manzo Miyashita, who was also in charge of animation and direction, and produced by Yokohama Cinema Shokai. This work is an original anime and only has one episode.

■ Story

■Explanation

■Production Background

The 1930s in Japan was a turbulent time before the war, and animation films were influenced by this. "The Sun and the Frog" was produced against this backdrop, and it also had significance as an educational film. Shozo Sugiyama's original story was written as an allegory to teach children the importance of peace, and Miyashita Manzo's drawings and direction made it a visually appealing work.

■ Characters

The following main characters appear in "The Sun and the Frog."

• The frogs : They multiply in the pond, causing a commotion and causing trouble for the fish. Their actions are the starting point of the story.
• Carp, the Fish Leader : As the leader of the fish, he submits a letter of protest to the frogs. He is an important character who takes command of the war.
• Giant Catfish : As the master of the pond, he runs to help the fish army. The giant catfish's actions are the turning point of the story.
• The sun : He grants the frogs' wishes and dries up the pond. He is depicted as a symbol of the power of nature.
• Rain frog : A character who prays to the heavens and makes it rain to restore the pond. He is depicted as a symbol of a wish for peace.

■ Animation technology

"The Sun and the Frog" is an animation that reflects the technical standards of the 1930s. At the time, hand-drawn animation was the norm in Japanese animation, which meant there were limitations to the expression of color and movement. However, Miyashita Manzo's drawings and direction bring out the maximum expressiveness within those limitations. In particular, the movements of the frogs and fish are realistic yet humorous, giving them an impression that is familiar to children. Furthermore, the depictions of sunlight and rain are also drawn making full use of the technology of the time.

■ Social significance

"The Sun and the Frog" played a role as an educational film that emphasized the importance of peace in prewar Japanese society. It is depicted as an allegory to convey to children in an easy-to-understand way the horrors of war and the meaninglessness of conflict. It also depicts the power of nature and the importance of the environment, a message that is still relevant today. This work can be said to symbolize the social significance of prewar Japanese animation.

■ Evaluation and impact

"The Sun and the Frog" is highly regarded among pre-war Japanese animation films. In particular, it was praised by many critics for the exquisite match between Shozo Sugiyama's original story and Manzo Miyashita's drawings and direction. This work also had a major influence on later Japanese animation. As Japanese animation developed after the war, elements of "The Sun and the Frog" such as its significance as an educational film, its depiction of nature, and the movements of the characters were carried over.

■Reasons for recommendation

"The Sun and the Frog" is an essential work for understanding the history of prewar Japanese animation. It is also an excellent work as an allegory to teach children the importance of peace, and its message is still relevant today. Don't miss the drawings and direction of Miyashita Manzo, who brought out the maximum expressiveness within the limits of animation technology. This is a work that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in prewar Japanese animation or who wants to know its significance as an educational film.

■ Related works

Other Japanese animated films produced around the same time as The Sun and the Frog include the following:

• "Momotaro's Sea Eagle" : This animated film was released in 1943 and was produced as a wartime propaganda film. It is an important work for understanding the social significance of prewar Japanese animation.
• "The Cloud and the Tulip" : An animated film released in 1943, it is a significant educational film. Its depictions of nature and character movements are similar to "The Sun and the Frog."
• "Portrait of Mama" : This animated film was released in 1935 and reflects the technical level of pre-war Japanese animation. It contains elements that are reminiscent of the drawings and direction of Manzo Miyashita.

■How to watch

"The Sun and the Frog" can now be viewed on DVD and Blu-ray. It is also sometimes distributed online. It is also sometimes screened at archives and museums that specialize in prewar Japanese animation films, so if you're interested, be sure to check it out.

■ Summary

"The Sun and the Frog" is a work that symbolizes the history of prewar Japanese animation, and an excellent fable with significance as an educational film. This work, which exquisitely matches the original work by Sugiyama Shozo and the drawings and direction by Miyashita Manzo, has a message that is still relevant today. This is a work that we highly recommend to those who are interested in prewar Japanese animation and those who want to know its significance as an educational film. Please also check out related works and how to watch it.