The appeal and reviews of "The Fox and the Bird": A moving story and the depth of its characters

The Fox and the Bird: A Short Animation as a Symbol of Postwar Japan

The short animated film "The Fox and the Bird," released in October 1948, is known for depicting the importance of coexisting with nature while reflecting the social situation in postwar Japan. The film was produced by Kindai Eigasha and Toba Kazuichi, and directed by Morino Satoshi based on the original story by Tsukimura Masao. In just 10 minutes, this film conveys a profound message and can be said to be an example of the potential of Japanese animation at the time.

story

The story of "The Fox and the Bird" begins when a fox who runs an orchard takes a nap and a little bird comes to eat the bugs in his apples, causing havoc all over the room. The fox gets angry and chases the bird and its child away, but as a result, the orchard becomes dominated by pests. This story was made into a video to inform people of the meaning of Bird Day, and to appeal to the importance of coexisting with nature. Source: History of Japanese Animation Films, p. 238

Main Staff

The main staff of this work are as follows:

• Directed by Satoshi Morino
• Photography by Akira Edashima (Megumi Asano)
• Music by Kiyoshi Kishi
• Recording: Mitsugu Yoshida

Background and significance of the production

"The Fox and the Little Bird" was produced during the postwar period of chaos, and the social situation at the time greatly influenced its production. After World War II, Japan faced food shortages and economic difficulties, and its relationship with the natural environment also changed dramatically. This work appeals to the importance of coexisting with nature under such circumstances, and conveyed a profound message to the people of that time.

Through the medium of animation, this work also plays an educational role in teaching children about the importance of the natural environment. Produced as a video to inform children of the significance of Bird Day, this work has provided an opportunity to raise environmental awareness among children by depicting the importance of coexisting with nature.

Visuals and Music

The cinematography of "The Fox and the Bird" was done by Akira Edashima (Megumi Asano), who used the technology of the time to create beautiful images. In particular, the scenery of the orchard and the movements of the fox and the bird bring out the charm that can only be achieved by hand-drawn animation. In addition, the music by Kiyoshi Kishi is richly depicted in emotion in line with the development of the story, playing a role in drawing out the emotions of the viewer. The skills of Mitsugu Yoshida, who was in charge of sound recording, also contributed to the completion of the work.

Characters and themes

The characters in "The Fox and the Bird" are simply a fox and a small bird, but the story depicts a profound theme. As the manager of an orchard, the fox tries to solve the problem temporarily by driving away the small bird, but this results in a worsening pest problem. This symbolizes how temporary solutions that ignore the natural environment can lead to bigger problems in the long term. Meanwhile, the small bird is part of nature and plays a role in maintaining the orchard's ecosystem. Through this contrast, the work appeals to the importance of coexisting with nature.

Evaluation and impact

"The Fox and the Bird" is a highly acclaimed Japanese postwar animated short film, praised for its message and visual beauty. In particular, its theme of the importance of coexisting with nature is highly regarded as a universal message that reflects the social situation of the time while still being relevant today. This work also occupies an important place in the history of Japanese animation, influencing works of later generations.

Recommendations and how to watch

"The Fox and the Bird" is a work that depicts the importance of coexisting with nature and is recommended for a wide range of viewers, from children to adults. It is especially a must-see for those with an interest in environmental issues and the history of animation. This work was released in theaters and is now available to watch on DVD and through online streaming services. We hope you will take the time to reaffirm the importance of coexisting with nature through this work.

Related Works and References

Other works related to "The Fox and the Bird" include "The Ant and the Grasshopper" and "The Forest Musician," which also depict the theme of coexistence with nature. These works are also highly regarded as short animated films that depict the importance of the natural environment. In addition, "History of Japanese Animation Films" is listed as a reference, which provides a detailed description of the background and production process of this work.

Conclusion

"The Fox and the Little Bird" is highly regarded as a short animation that depicts the importance of coexisting with nature while reflecting the social situation in postwar Japan. This work conveys a profound message in a short 10-minute length and can be said to be an example of the potential of Japanese animation at the time. Please watch this work and reaffirm the importance of coexisting with nature.