The charms and problems of the Siscon Prince: A thorough review

All-round evaluation and recommendation of Siscon Prince - Siscon Ouji

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

December 20, 1963 - March 27, 1964

■Broadcasting station

Broadcast: Fuji Television

■Frequencies

15 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 14

■Original Story

・Original work: Fujiko Fujio ^{Fujiko Fujio A}

■ Director

・Director: Tatsuma Asano

■ Production

Produced by Dentsu Films, Studio KAI, Cisco Confectionery

■Works

©Fujiko Fujio/Dentsu Films/Fuji Television

■ Story

Located on the equator, the island kingdom of Ace is surrounded by beautiful nature. Due to changes in the international situation, this peaceful island has come to be seen as an important base that influences the politics of countries around the world. In order to protect the peace of the kingdom, the island's prince, Siscon Prince, fights against the international conspiracy group with his good friend Choco-chan.

■Explanation

This was the first puppet animation TV series in Japan. The puppets were modeled after the mascot characters of the sponsoring confectionery company. Each episode is 15 minutes long and aired as part of the 30-minute program "Susume Siscon."

■Cast

・Siscon Prince/Kuniko Kashii ・Choco-chan/Miyuki Kitasato

■ Main staff

・Original work: Fujiko Fujio (A)
Director: Tatsumaro Asano Screenplay: Hiroyuki Kouda Clay animation production: Tetsutaro Sono, Yutaka Mimai, Koichi Oikawa, Fumiko Magari

■ Main Characters

・Siscon Prince The prince of the Ace Kingdom. He drives a flying sports car and fights against evil that threatens the peace of the kingdom.

・Choco-chan A girl who is good friends with the sister complex prince. She fights alongside the prince.

A comprehensive review of the Siscon Prince

Historical Significance

"Siscon Prince" is of great historical significance as Japan's first puppet animation TV series, which aired from 1963 to 1964. This work utilized clay animation, which was still a new technology at the time, and provided viewers with a fresh visual experience. In particular, the puppet animation modeled after the mascot character of sponsor Cisco Confectionery was very popular with children. Also, it is worth noting that it was broadcast within the time slot of the 30-minute program "Susume Siscon," making it accessible to a wider audience.

Story and Characters

The story of "Siscon Prince" is set in the Ace Kingdom, which is located directly under the equator, and depicts the adventures of Siscon Prince and Choco-chan as they fight against an international conspiracy group. Each episode is a self-contained story, and each episode has a different episode, ensuring that viewers do not get bored. Siscon Prince is a brave prince who fights evil in a flying sports car, and Choco-chan is his loyal partner, as they face difficulties together. The relationship between these two characters leaves a strong impression on viewers and enhances the appeal of the story.

Production background and technology

"Siscon Prince" was produced jointly by Dentsu Eigasha, Studio KAI, and Cisco Confectionery. It was directed by Tatsumaro Asano, written by Hiroyuki Koda, and involved talented staff such as Tetsutaro Sono, Yutaka Mimai, Koichi Oikawa, and Fumiko Magari in the clay animation production. The clay animation technology in particular was advanced for the time, and succeeded in maximizing the visual appeal. In addition, the puppet animation modeled after the mascot character of the sponsor, Cisco Confectionery, provided familiarity to viewers and contributed greatly to the success of the work.

Cast and voice actors

Kuniko Kashii, who voiced the Siscon Prince, captured the hearts of viewers with her warm voice. Miyuki Kitazato, who voiced Choco-chan, also brought out the charm of the character with her cute voice. The performances of both voice actors contributed to expressing the individuality of the characters and adding depth to the story.

Audience reactions and impact

"Siscon Prince" was extremely popular with children from the time it was broadcast, and was loved by many viewers. In particular, the visual appeal of the clay animation and the adventure story of Siscon Prince and Choco-chan made a strong impression on viewers. The work is also highly regarded as an example of the progress of Japanese animation technology, and has influenced subsequent anime production. Furthermore, the puppet animation modeled after the mascot character of Cisco Confectionery was a successful product promotion, demonstrating the potential for collaboration between companies and animation.

Recommendation

Eligibility for recommendation

"Siscon Prince" is highly recommended, especially for those with an interest in animation history and clay animation, for families who want to enjoy children's animation, and for viewers who want to re-evaluate nostalgic Showa era anime. Additionally, anyone familiar with the mascot characters of Cisco Confectionery will also enjoy this work.

Reasons for recommendation

"Siscon Prince" is of great historical significance as Japan's first puppet animation TV series. In addition, the visual appeal of the clay animation technique and the adventure story of Siscon Prince and Choco-chan leave a strong impression on viewers. Furthermore, the puppet animation modeled after the mascot character of sponsor Cisco Confectionery made the series familiar to viewers and greatly contributed to the success of the series. The combination of these elements makes "Siscon Prince" a work that provides viewers with a fresh visual experience and excitement.

Related Titles

For viewers who enjoyed "Siscon Prince," we also recommend the following related works:

• "Go Siscon" - You can also enjoy other episodes that were broadcast within the 30-minute program time slot in which "Siscon Prince" was broadcast.
• "The Works of Fujiko Fujio A" - You can also enjoy Fujiko Fujio A's other works, which are filled with unique humor and moving emotions.
• Clay animations - Clay animations such as Wallace and Gromit and Pingu are also visually appealing.

How to watch

"Siscon Prince" is now available to watch on DVD and through internet distribution services. The DVD in particular allows you to enjoy bonus footage and behind-the-scenes stories, which will help you understand the work more deeply. Also, internet distribution services make it easy to watch, so it is recommended for busy modern people.

Conclusion

"Siscon Prince" is Japan's first puppet animation TV series, and is a work with great historical significance and visual appeal. The adventure story of Siscon Prince and Choco-chan left a strong impression on viewers and was loved by many. It is especially recommended for people who are interested in the history of animation and clay animation, and for families who want to enjoy children's animation. It is also recommended for viewers who want to reevaluate nostalgic Showa era anime and those who are familiar with Cisco Confectionery's mascot characters. Please watch this work and feel its charm.