Momotaro in times of crisis: A story of courage and friendship shining through a crisis

Momotaro in an emergency - Hijoujino Momotaro

"Momotaro in a Time of Emergency," released on January 1, 1938, is one of the most important works in the history of animation. This work was produced by Tsuchida Shokai and first released through the method of cultural entrepreneurship. Born as an original anime, this work has been released in other media and has succeeded in conveying a deep message in just one episode. Below, we will introduce detailed information and reviews of this work, as well as recommended points.

Overview

"Momotaro in a Time of Emergency" is a short animated film made in Japan before the Second World War. The story is based on a Japanese legend in which Momotaro, born from a peach, travels to Oni Island and fights against demons. However, in this work, it is emphasized that the reason Momotaro travels to Oni Island is "in a time of emergency." Reflecting the historical background of the times when the shadow of war flickers, Momotaro's battle with the demons on Oni Island conveys a message calling for unity and courage among the people.

Background

This work was produced by Tsuchida Shokai. Tsuchida Shokai was an animation production company active in prewar Japan, and produced many educational animations. "Momotaro in an Emergency" was one of them, and it is thought to have been produced to give courage to the people during times of war. In addition, the recording was done by Iwatani Sound and Electrical Research Laboratories, which used the latest technology at the time to achieve high quality sound.

story

The story begins with Momotaro, born from a peach, heading for Oni Island. Momotaro makes friends with a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant and heads for Oni Island. Oni Island, demons torment the people, but Momotaro and his friends fight bravely and defeat the demons. In the end, the people of Oni Island are freed and peace returns. This story teaches us the importance of coming together and facing emergencies with courage.

character

Momotaro: The main character. A brave boy born from a peach who sets out for the island of demons. His actions are a symbol of courage and unity in times of crisis.
Dog: Momotaro's faithful companion. He is strong and fights against demons.
Monkey: Momotaro's clever friend. He uses his wits to outwit the demons.
Pheasant: Momotaro's agile companion. He toyed with the demons with his quick movements.
Oni: The ruler of Oni Island. He torments the people, but is defeated by Momotaro in the end.

evaluation

"Momotaro in a Time of Emergency" succeeds in conveying a very profound message in a short nine minutes. Made during a time of war, this work played an important role in calling for courage and unity among the people. It is also highly praised for the quality of the sound recording and animation, which used the latest technology at the time. In particular, the characters of Momotaro and his friends are vividly portrayed, leaving a strong impression on the viewer.

Recommended points

"Momotaro in a Time of Emergency" is a work that conveys a profound message in a short time. By learning about the background of its production during wartime, the significance of the work can be better understood. Furthermore, the brave actions of Momotaro and his friends are a universal theme that is still relevant today, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to adults. Furthermore, the animation and recording, which used the latest technology at the time, are of great historical value, making it an important work for learning about the history of animation.

Related Titles

"Momotaro in an Emergency" is a work based on the legend of Momotaro, but there are many other animations and films based on Momotaro. For example, "Shin Momotaro", produced in the 1950s after the war, is a work themed on postwar reconstruction, and by comparing it with "Momotaro in an Emergency", you can feel the difference in the historical background and the change in the message. Another modern work is the "Momotaro Dentetsu" series, which allows you to enjoy the legend of Momotaro through a game. By comparing it with these works, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of "Momotaro in an Emergency".

summary

"Momotaro in a Time of Emergency" is an animated film released in 1938 that played an important role in calling for courage and unity among the people during times of war. In just nine minutes, the film succeeds in conveying a profound message, and is also highly praised for its animation and sound recording, which used cutting-edge technology at the time. The brave actions of Momotaro and his friends are a universal theme that is still relevant today, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to adults. It also has great historical value, making it an important work for learning about the history of animation. Please watch this film and experience its significance for yourself.