Tekusuke Monogatari Forty Wolves - A thorough review for its fascinating story and deep insight into the characters.

The Tale of Forty Wolves - The Tale of Forty Wolves

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

1940

■Distribution company

Japan Film Trade

■Frequencies

14 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■ Director

Mitsuyo Seo

■ Production

Art Film Company

■Explanation

"The Tale of Tekusuke: Forty Wolves," produced as a PR film for "Wakamoto," was released in 1940. This work was later re-released under the title "Forty Thieves," with the close-up of Wakamoto's bottles cut out. This re-release version was able to be accepted by a wider audience by eliminating the PR elements of the original. Source: History of Japanese Animation Films, p. 224

■ Main staff

・Screenplay: Yuzo Kurihara

Background and history of the work

"The Tale of Tekusuke: Forty Wolves" is an animated film made in prewar Japan, and reflects the historical background of the time. Japan in the 1940s was under the influence of World War II, and the film industry was also heavily influenced by it. However, this work avoids direct depictions of war, instead placing emphasis on humor and entertainment.

This work was made as a PR film for Wakamoto, but the subsequent re-release of "Forty Thieves" eliminated the PR elements and positioned it as a more general entertainment work. This transition is an example of the flexibility and ingenuity of the Japanese film industry during wartime.

Story and Characters

The story of "The Story of Tekusuke: Forty Wolves" centers around the character Tekusuke. Tekusuke is a character who appears to promote Wakamoto's products and entertains viewers with his humorous antics and quick wit. The story follows Tekusuke as he confronts the forty wolves and outwits them using various tactics.

The character designs reflect the style of Japanese manga and animation at the time, and are characterized by simple yet unique expressions. Tekusuke's facial expressions and movements in particular made a strong visual impact and were accepted by a wide range of people, from children to adults.

Animation technology and direction

Considering the technical standards of the 1940s, "The Tale of Tekusuke: Forty Wolves" is an extremely high-quality animated film. Director Mitsuyo Seo succeeded in drawing out the maximum expressiveness from the limited resources available. In particular, the movements of the wolf pack and the scenes where Tekusuke performs his tricks are depicted realistically through skillful direction and animation techniques.

The use of color also plays an important role in this work. Prewar Japanese animation was dominated by black and white, but this work uses color in some parts to enhance its visual appeal. In particular, the color effect is emphasized in the scene with Wakamoto's bottle, which successfully captures the viewer's attention.

Music and Sound

The music and sound in "The Tale of Tekusuke: Forty Wolves" are also important elements that enhance the appeal of the work. The use of music and sound was still limited in prewar Japanese animation, but in this work they are used effectively. In particular, the music that accompanies Tekusuke's trick scenes and the movements of the wolf pack complements the visual expression and emphasizes the tension and humor of the story.

In addition, the sound effects are also skillfully used, and the realistic sounds of the wolf's howls and Tekusuke's footsteps enhance the viewer's immersion. These music and sound effects contribute greatly to improving the overall quality of the work.

Social impact and evaluation

"The Tale of Tekusuke: Forty Wolves" was widely accepted in prewar Japan and was loved by many viewers. Tekusuke's humorous actions and tricks were particularly appealing to children, and he gained many fans. It was also a successful PR film for Wakamoto, helping to raise awareness of the product.

However, the postwar reprint of "Forty Thieves" eliminated the PR elements, making it more accessible to a wider audience. This transformation is an example of the flexibility and ingenuity of the Japanese film industry during the war. This work also occupies an important place in the history of Japanese animation films, and had a major influence on later animation works.

Recommendations and related works

"The Tale of Tekusuke: Forty Wolves" is an essential work for understanding prewar Japanese animation films, and is highly recommended for those who are interested in the history and technology of animation, as well as those who enjoy films that emphasize humor and entertainment.

Related works include "Momotaro's Sea Eagle" and "The Spider and the Tulip," which were also produced in Japan before the war. These works also allow you to feel the charm of prewar Japanese animation films. In addition, famous postwar Japanese animation films include "The Legend of the White Snake" and "Astro Boy." By comparing it with these works, you can gain a deeper understanding of the position of "The Tale of Tekusuke: Forty Wolves."

summary

"The Tale of Forty Thieves" is an animated film produced in prewar Japan that was loved by many viewers for its humor and entertainment value. Thanks to the efforts of director Mitsuyo Seo and his staff, high-quality animation was produced with limited resources, and music and sound were used effectively. In addition, the postwar resale version of "Forty Thieves" eliminated PR elements, making it acceptable to a wider audience. This work also occupies an important place in the history of Japanese animation films and had a great influence on later animation works. If you are interested in the history and technology of animation, or if you want to enjoy a work that emphasizes humor and entertainment, please give it a watch.