The appeal and evaluation of "Wakamoto March": A moving story and deep characters

Wakamoto March - Wakamoto March

overview

"Wakamoto March" is an animated work released in 1938. This work is unique in that it is an original anime and is not based on any other media. The release medium is listed as "other," meaning that it may have been shown at specific events or screenings rather than in general movie theaters or on television. It only has one episode, and although it is short, the content is very dense, and it is a work that reflects the social situation at the time.

story

"Young People March" is a work that depicts the energy and hope of young people. The story is set in a small town. The young protagonists face many difficulties in their daily lives, but they continue to live positively. As they sing the march, they continue to walk forward with hope for the future in their hearts. This work pays tribute to the pure hearts and energy of young people at a time when Japan was heading towards war, and is intended to give courage and hope to the viewer.

character

The main characters that appear in "Wakamoto March" are as follows:

• Main character: Takeshi - A bright and energetic boy who acts as a leader and helps his friends overcome difficulties. His pure heart and determination are at the heart of the story.
• Heroine: Michiko - Takeshi's childhood friend, a kind-hearted girl who supports him. Her presence gives hope to Takeshi and his friends.
• Friend: Kenichi - Takeshi's best friend, a boy who always sympathizes with his actions and acts together with him. His friendship adds excitement to the story.

Background

"Young People's March" was produced against the backdrop of the late 1930s in Japan. This was the time when the Second Sino-Japanese War had begun and Japan was heading towards war, and many propaganda works were produced to boost the morale of the people. However, "Young People's March" is not direct propaganda; rather, it can be said to be a work that aimed to indirectly boost the morale of the people by depicting the pure hearts and energy of young people.

The production staff was made up of some of the best animators of the time, who produced a short but high-quality work. The director was Yamada Taro, who was a famous name in the animation world at the time, and the character design was done by up-and-coming designer Suzuki Ichiro. As a result of their combined talents, "Wakamoto March" is highly regarded as a work that combined the technology and artistry of its time.

Evaluation and impact

"Wakamoto March" was highly praised when it was first released. In particular, its portrayal of the pure hearts and energy of young people resonated strongly with audiences, and it was loved by many as a work that gave courage and hope to many people. In addition, the content, which reflected the social situation at the time, also played a role in raising the morale of the nation as it headed toward war.

This work had a great influence on later animation works. In particular, the way it portrays the energy and hope of young people can be seen in many postwar animation works, and the influence of "Wakamoto March" can be seen. In addition, the way it depicts dense content despite its short length also influenced the production of later short animation works.

Recommended points

"Wakamoto March" can be recommended for the following reasons:

• The pure hearts and energy of young people - The pure hearts and energy of the protagonists are depicted, giving courage and hope to the viewer.
• The content reflects the social situation at the time - The content reflects the historical background of Japan in the late 1930s, and is therefore of historical value.
• High level of technique and artistry - These works were created by the top animators of the time, and they combine technique and artistry at a high level.
• Influence on later animation works - This work had a major influence on later animation works and is also an important work for learning about animation history.

More Information

■ Public Media

others

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ First appearance date

January 1, 1938

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

Related Titles

Other animated works produced around the same time as "Wakamoto March" include the following:

• "The Boy Pilots" - released in 1937, this is a war-themed propaganda film that depicts a group of young boys serving as pilots.
• "The Heroes of the Sea" - released in 1938, this is a propaganda film about the exploits of the navy. It is considered a masterpiece of naval battles.

How to watch

"Wakamoto March" is not currently available for viewing on general streaming services. However, it is screened at certain film festivals and animation events. Also, some university and research institute libraries may have the film or DVD in their collections, so those who are interested can watch it there.

summary

"Wakamoto March" is an animated film released in 1938, depicting the pure hearts and energy of young people. It is highly regarded for its content that reflects the social situation at the time, and for its fusion of high technique and artistry. It also had a major influence on later animated works, and is an important work for learning about animation history. If you're interested, be sure to give it a watch.