Mabo's Kinoshita Tokichirou: A thorough analysis of the fascinating character and the depth of the story

Mabo no Kinoshita Tokichirō - Animated film depicting a hero from the Warring States period

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

1938

■Frequencies

11 mins

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■ Director

Ginjiro Sato and Hiroji Chiba

■ Production

Sato Film Studio

■ Story

■ Background and historical significance of the work

Released in 1938, "Mabo no Kinoshita Tōkichirō" is an animated film depicting the life of the Sengoku period hero Kinoshita Tōkichirō (later Toyotomi Hideyoshi). The film was produced by Sato Film Productions and co-directed by Sato Ginjirō and Chiba Hiroji. In just 11 minutes, the film tells the full story of Tōkichirō's rise to fame and is regarded as a testament to the potential of Japanese animation technology and storytelling at the time.

The Sengoku period in Japan was a time when many heroes played an active role, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi is one of the most well-known figures among them. His life was like a "dream story," rising from the son of a poor peasant to become the most powerful man in Japan, and his dramatic life has fascinated many people. "Mabo no Kinoshita Tōkichirō" depicts the story of Hideyoshi's younger days in a humorous way, making it a work that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

■ Story details and analysis

The story begins with Tōkichirō, the son of a peasant in Owari Province, leaving the country with great ambitions. He meets Hachisuka Koroku at Yahagi Bridge, and subsequently enters the service of Oda Nobunaga. Under Nobunaga, he takes part in a battle against Saito Tatsuoki, lord of Mino Castle, completes the construction of Sunomata Fortress, and rises through the ranks by defeating Saito's forces. This part is an episode based on historical fact, and it depicts Tōkichirō's strategic talent and drive.

At the climax of the story, after Tokichirou achieves success, Mabo bows and removes his topknot wig. This scene is metafictionally directed at the end of the film, with the comment, "All the previous stories were shot at a studio," providing a kind of surprise and laughter to the audience. This type of direction was rare in Japanese films and animations of the time, and it highlights the uniqueness of the work.

■Character Analysis

The protagonist, Kinoshita Tōkichirō, is a man with a grand dream of rising from the son of a poor farmer to become the most powerful man in Japan. His character is portrayed as one who combines ambition, drive, and humor. His growth and success are depicted through episodes based on historical facts, particularly his meeting with Hachisuka Koroku, his service to Oda Nobunaga, and the construction of Sunomata Castle.

Also, the character Mabo appears at the end of the story and is responsible for the metafictional direction. His presence makes the tone of the whole work light-hearted and comical, providing laughter for the audience. This type of character placement was rare in Japanese animation at the time, and it enhances the appeal of the work.

■Animation technology and art

"Mabo no Kinoshita Tōkichirō" is an animation of extremely high quality considering the state of the art in 1938. In particular, the depictions of the landscapes and castles of the Warring States period are characterized by beautiful art with attention to detail. The movements of the characters are also smooth, and scenes that would have been difficult to achieve with the technology of the time are beautifully drawn.

The art direction for this film was handled by the art department of Sato Film Productions, and their skills and sensibilities are reflected throughout the film. In particular, in the construction scene of Sunomata, the structure of the castle and the surrounding scenery are depicted realistically, giving the audience a sense of realism as if they were there. In addition, the characters' expressions and movements are rich, and the way they convey their emotions is also highly praised.

■Music and Sound

Music and sound are also important elements that enhance the appeal of "Mabo no Kinoshita Tokichirou." In particular, the music, which is used to enhance the atmosphere of the Warring States period, is composed mainly of Japanese instruments and plays a role in drawing the audience into the world of the story. In addition, powerful sound effects are used in the battle scenes, allowing you to feel the realism not only visually but also aurally.

The music direction for this film was handled by the music department of Sato Film Productions, and their skills and sensibilities are reflected throughout the film. In particular, heroic music is used in the scenes depicting Tokichirou's rise to power, emphasizing his ambition and drive. Also, light-hearted music is used in the metafictional final scene of the story, providing laughs for the audience.

■ Evaluation and impact

"Mabo no Kinoshita Tōkichirō" is a highly acclaimed Japanese animated film from 1938 that had a major impact on the subsequent development of Japanese animation. In particular, its storytelling based on historical facts and metafictional direction were rare in Japanese animation at the time, highlighting the film's uniqueness. The overall quality of the film, including character portrayal, art, and music, has also been highly praised.

This work depicts the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a hero of the Warring States period, and its comical portrayal of his dramatic life makes it enjoyable for both children and adults. The metafictional direction also provides the audience with a kind of surprise and laughter, enhancing the work's appeal. These elements influenced later Japanese animation works, showing new possibilities in terms of storytelling, character portrayal, art, music, and more.

■ Recommendations and how to watch

"Mabo no Kinoshita Tokichirou" is an animated film depicting the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a hero of the Warring States period, and is a must-see for history and animation fans. In particular, the metafictional direction and comical character portrayals provide laughter for the audience and enhance the appeal of the film. The art and music are also of high quality, allowing you to enjoy the film both visually and aurally.

This work can now be viewed on DVD and through internet streaming. It is especially recommended for those who enjoy storytelling based on historical facts and metafictional productions. It is also a good work to watch with the whole family as it can be enjoyed by both children and adults. Please enjoy the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a hero of the Warring States period, through this work.