The appeal and reviews of "Fukusuke": Why you shouldn't miss it

"Fukusuke": A heartwarming animation by Ryuichi Yokoyama

Overview

"Fukusuke" is a Japanese animated film released in 1957. It was directed by Ryuichi Yokoyama and produced by Otogi Productions. It was released in theaters on October 29, 1957. It was distributed by Toho and is 18 minutes long with one episode. "Fukusuke" is an original anime work and has no original source material.

story

The story of "Fukusuke" revolves around a baby frog named "Fukusuke" whose head is so big and heavy like a stone that he is always standing upside down. His parents are worried about Fukusuke and try various things to help him, but to no avail. However, even though this work depicts a disabled child, it is not dark, and is characterized by a bright and cheerful atmosphere that reflects the personality of the author, Ryuichi Yokoyama.

Background

"Fukusuke" is a labor of love that Yokoyama Ryuichi took more than a year to complete with the help of only about ten people. After seeing a preview, Toho offered to release it in theaters, and the company name was decided upon as "Otogi Pro." The film was made in full scale on 35mm, and although it was made using handcrafted methods, the quality is in no way inferior to those produced by major production companies. At the time of its release, writer Yoshiyuki Junnosuke wrote a review of the film in the Mainichi Shimbun evening edition, in which he expressed his hope that Yokoyama Ryuichi would continue to make this type of film with modern, fully equipped facilities.

Awards

"Fukusuke" won 8th place in the 5th Kinema Junpo Cultural Film Top Ten in 1957, the Educational and Cultural Film Award in the 12th Mainichi Film Awards, and the Special Award in the 8th Blue Ribbon Awards. These awards recognize the high quality of the film and its social significance, and are proof that Yokoyama Ryuichi's talent and hard work were recognized.

Main Staff

The main staff of "Fukusuke" are as follows:

• Video: Mitsuhiro Machiyama, Shinichi Suzuki, Hajime Maeda (Hiroshi Shinsenji is not listed in NFC)
• Music: Ryoichi Hattori

Evaluation and impact

"Fukusuke" was loved by many viewers for its heartwarming story and the warmth of its handmade animation. It is especially praised for its depiction of a disabled child while maintaining a bright tone, giving hope and courage to viewers. Despite being produced using handicraft methods, the quality is comparable to that of major productions, demonstrating the talent and passion of Ryuichi Yokoyama.

Reasons for recommendation

"Fukusuke" is a great film to watch with the whole family. It offers children an opportunity to deepen their understanding of people with disabilities, while the story and animation are enjoyable for the whole family. It is also an important work for learning about the history of animation, and is valuable as one of Ryuichi Yokoyama's early works. It is a film that we highly recommend you see.

Related information

Detailed information and related materials about "Fukusuke" can be found in the following books and websites.

• "History of Japanese Animation Films" P252
• Mainichi Shimbun Evening Edition (October 4, 1957)

Conclusion

"Fukusuke" is a heartwarming animation by Ryuichi Yokoyama, and there is a lot to learn from its story and the background of its production. I highly recommend it as a film that the whole family can enjoy and that conveys an important message to children. I hope you will enjoy this film and feel the charm of animation and the effort and passion behind it.