The appeal and evaluation of Sports Kotanuki - Horse Racing: A must-watch anime for enjoying the world of horse racing

Sports tanuki horse racing edition - Sports tanuki horse racing edition

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

November 1949

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

・Original work by Toshiharu Obata

■ Director

・Direction: Hideo Furusawa

■ Production

Produced by Nippon Tanpen Eigasha and Kiyoe Takahashi

■Explanation

There is a color version of the same name movie completed in April 1953, but details are unknown as to whether it was remade in color. Source: History of Japanese Animation Movies, p. 241

■ Main staff

・Screenplay and direction: Hideo Furusawa ・Illustration: Toshiharu Obata, Sumiko Naganuma, Kiichi Todo ・Animation: Hideo Furusawa, Toshiharu Obata ・Illustration: Fujiko Ozaki ・Cinematography: Koichi Kubota

Review and Recommendation

"Sports Little Tanuki: Horse Racing," released in 1949, is a work that symbolizes the dawn of postwar Japanese animation, and its historical value is immeasurable. This work was produced by two of the most famous creators of the time, with a story by Obata Toshiharu and direction by Furusawa Hideo. It was also co-produced by Nippon Tanpen Eigasha and Takahashi Kiyoe, and as a short film, it is extremely well-made.

The story depicts the adventures of baby raccoons at a horse racing track. Although the theme is the sport of horse racing, the story is characterized by its humorous and warm storytelling. In particular, the expressions and movements of the baby raccoons are astonishing considering the level of technology at the time, and have the power to draw the audience in.

The appeal of this work lies above all in its visual expression. Furusawa Hideo's direction and Obata Toshiharu's drawings bring out the cuteness of the baby raccoons to the fullest. In addition, Naganuma Sumiko and Todo Kiichi's drawings also contribute to the colorful world view. The beauty of the colors used by Ozaki Fujiko, who was in charge of the coloring, is also not to be missed. Combined with Kubota Koichi's cinematography, the beauty of the images stands out.

Furthermore, there is information that a color version of this work was completed in April 1953. However, the details are unclear as to whether the color version was remade or simply colorized. This point is written in the History of Japanese Animation Films, page 241, so if you are interested, please take a look.

"Sports Baby Tanuki: Horse Racing" is an important work for understanding the development of postwar Japanese animation. It has been praised for its perfection as a short film, the beauty of its visual expression, and its clever storytelling. In particular, the humorous adventures of the baby tanuki will be enjoyed by a wide range of people, from children to adults.

The first reason to recommend this film is its historical value. It is a valuable work that gives us a glimpse into the dawn of postwar Japanese animation. The beauty of the visual expression is also not to be missed. The cuteness of the baby raccoons and the colorful worldview are visually enjoyable. Furthermore, the story, which is based on the sport of horse racing, will be enjoyable for sports fans as well.

When watching this film, please pay attention to the social background of the time and the evolution of animation technology. By doing so, you will be able to understand the appeal of "Sports Little Tanuki: Horse Racing" even more deeply. If you have the chance to see it in the theater, please go and see it. I'm sure you will find it worth it.