Emergency Schools: Current Situation and Evaluation of Schools Where Students Can Learn Even in Emergency Situations

"Emergency School": A work that marks the dawn of Japanese animation

When looking back at the history of Japanese animation, "Emergency School," released in 1939, is considered an important early work. This work was produced as an educational film to teach children about air raid training and emergency behavior against the backdrop of the difficult situation that prewar Japanese society was facing. Below, we will provide detailed information and evaluations of this work, as well as its historical significance.

Overview

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

1939

■Frequencies

10 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■ Production

Produced by Kokko Educational Film Company

story

"Emergency School" is an educational anime that shows how children should act in wartime Japan. The story begins with an air raid drill at a school. The students follow their teacher's instructions and learn what to do when an air raid siren sounds. Specifically, they are shown how to evacuate to an air raid shelter, how to wear a gas mask, and how to prepare for an emergency. The purpose of this work is to teach children how to act in a real emergency, and the content is very specific and practical.

Background

The year 1939 was just before the start of World War II, and the effects of the war were gradually spreading within Japan. Under these circumstances, the government and educational institutions strengthened their educational activities to raise the public's awareness of defense. "Emergency School" was produced as part of this effort, and was positioned as an educational film to teach children how to act in an emergency. Kokko Educational Film Company put a lot of effort into producing such educational films, and "Emergency School" was produced as part of that effort.

Animation Technology

"Emergency School" is an animated work that reflects the state of the art of its time. The drawings were done by Zoroku Hashimoto and Haruo Yoshida, and the characters they created were relatable to children of the time. The animation was hand-drawn and the colors were limited, but it was expressive enough to tell the story. The air raid training scene also used a combination of real footage and animation, which was visually very effective.

Evaluation and significance

"Emergency School" is regarded as a work that symbolizes the dawn of prewar Japanese animation. Not only does it serve as an educational film, but it is also a valuable document that reflects the social situation of the time. In particular, the purpose of teaching children how to act in an emergency speaks to the difficult situation that Japanese society faced at the time. The work is also important in that it demonstrated the possibility of using animation as a means of education and enlightenment.

In terms of historical significance, "Emergency School" is an important work for understanding how Japanese animation has developed. Prewar Japanese animation was used not only for entertainment but also as a means of education and enlightenment, and this work shows a part of that. It is also a valuable resource that reflects the technical level of the time in terms of drawing and animation techniques.

Recommendations and how to watch

"Emergency School" is a must-see for anyone wanting to learn about pre-war Japanese animation. It is especially recommended for those interested in the history of animation and educational films. This work is also an important resource for understanding the social situation at the time, and is recommended for anyone interested in history and culture.

Currently, there are limited opportunities to watch this work, but it is sometimes screened at certain movie theaters and at exhibitions on the history of animation. It is also sometimes archived on the Internet, so if you are interested, please take advantage of these opportunities to watch it.

Related works and recommendations

Other educational animations produced around the same time as "Emergency School" include "Air Raid Training" and "National School Life." These works are also valuable documents that reflect the state of Japanese society before the war, and are important works for understanding the history of animation. In addition, works such as "Astro Boy" and "Sally the Witch" are also recommended for learning about the development of Japanese animation after the war. These works are important for understanding how Japanese animation developed after the war.

summary

"Emergency School" is an important work that symbolizes the dawn of prewar Japanese animation. This work not only serves as an educational film, but is also a valuable document that reflects the social situation at the time. It is also important in that it showed the possibility of using animation as a means of education and enlightenment. If you are interested, please give this work a watch.