The Power of Five review: A fascinating story and deep characters

The appeal and evaluation of "The Power of Five Animals"

Overview

"The Power of Five" is an animated film released on January 1, 1937, directed by Hiromasa Suzuki and produced by Ashida Manga Seisakusho and Sanko Hatsusei Manga Kenkyusho. This film is unique in that it is an original anime and is not based on any other media. In one short episode, ten minutes long, it tells the story of five animals in the forest facing off against a black bear.

story

Background and production of the work

The 1930s in Japan was a time when animation was still in its infancy. "The Power of Five" was one of the earliest works, and was produced using the technology and methods of expression of the time. This was the first time that director Suzuki Hiromasa directed an animation, and he had a major impact on the Japanese animation industry thereafter. In addition, Ashida Manga Seisakusho and Sanko Hatsusei Manga Kenkyusho, which were responsible for the production, were known as the centers of animation production at the time.

Characters and Settings

The main characters of "The Power of Five" are five animals that live in the forest. Each animal has a unique character, and is depicted as follows:

• Fox : A wise man who is the leader of his companions. He is an important character who begins the story by falling into a trap.
• Rabbit : Fast and good at gathering information. It plays a role in informing its allies of the movements of the bears.
• Squirrels : They are small and dexterous, and are responsible for detailed work. They play an important role in fighting bears.
• Raccoon : He is skilled in disguise and trickery, and devises a plan to outwit the bear.
• Monkey : A strong character who is good at direct combat. He excels in direct confrontations with bears.

The sight of these characters working together to face the black bear is inspiring and courageous to viewers.

Animation Techniques and Expressions

Considering the state of the art at the time, "The Power of Five" is an animation of extremely high quality. In particular, the depiction of the animals' movements and expressions is detailed, successfully conveying realistic emotions to the viewer. The backgrounds are also beautifully depicted, realistically recreating the atmosphere of the forest.

In terms of sound, the sound effects and music used made full use of the technology of the time, and they contributed greatly to the progression of the story. In particular, the sound effects that heightened the tension in the fight scene with the bear were impressive.

Theme and message of the work

"The Power of Five" is a work that deals with the themes of cooperation and friendship. The five animals join forces to face a powerful enemy, teaching the audience the importance of unity. It also depicts the courage of the weak to stand up to the strong, and contains a message that praises the attitude of facing difficulties.

Evaluation and impact

"The Power of Five" was highly praised by audiences at the time. It was especially praised for its educational aspects, teaching children the importance of courage and friendship. This work also had a major influence on later Japanese animation works, and became the catalyst for the production of many works with themes of cooperation and friendship.

Director Hiromasa Suzuki also used the experience he gained from this work to achieve high acclaim in his subsequent works. Ashida Manga Seisakusho and Sanko Hatsusei Manga Kenkyusho also used this work as a springboard to produce many more works, contributing to the development of the Japanese animation industry.

Recommendations and how to watch

I would recommend "The Power of Five" to many people as it conveys a deep message in a short time. It is especially recommended for parents and educators who want to teach children the importance of courage and friendship. It is also recommended for those who are interested in the history of animation and early works.

It is now available on DVD and online streaming services, and can be found on archive sites specializing in the history of Japanese animation films, as well as on platforms dedicated to classic animation.

Related works and recommendation list

If you enjoyed The Power of Five, we also recommend the following related works, which also have themes of cooperation and friendship and will inspire and inspire viewers.

• "My Neighbor Totoro" : A classic animation produced by Studio Ghibli. It depicts family ties and friendship.
• "Ponyo on the Cliff" : A film directed by Hayao Miyazaki, it is a story about friendship and adventure.
• "Princess Arete" : Directed by Takahata Isao, this fantasy animation depicts cooperation and friendship.

summary

"The Power of Five" is an animated film released in 1937, and is a touching story about cooperation and friendship. This film conveys a profound message in a short time, and also has an educational aspect of teaching children the importance of courage and friendship. In addition, the animation expression, which makes full use of the technology of the time, is stunning, and it succeeds in conveying real emotions to the viewer. Please watch this film and feel its charm and message.