The appeal and reviews of "Mermaid": A thorough explanation of the moving story and beautiful visuals

The charm and profound theme of "Mermaid"

Tezuka Osamu's work Mermaid - Ningyo is an animated film released in 1964 whose unique themes and storytelling continue to inspire many audiences to this day. The film was produced by Tezuka Productions and Mushi Productions, and is packed with Tezuka Osamu's creativity and social insights. Below, we will take a detailed look at the film and explore why it continues to be loved by so many people today.

Overview

■ Public Media

Independent Production

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

1964

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■ Production

Tezuka Productions/Mushi Productions

■Works

©Tezuka Productions

Story and Themes

"Mermaid" is set in a fictional country where daydreaming is forbidden. The story begins when a boy rescues a fish that turns into a mermaid. This event leads to a tragic development when the boy is arrested as a "product of evil daydreaming" and is forcibly stripped of his ability to daydream. This work depicts the fear of a controlled society and the need to escape from it, and has a theme that is also found in Terry Gilliam's sci-fi film "Brazil."

Through this work, Tezuka Osamu argues that imagination, or the ability to imagine, is the most important ability humans possess. However, he denounces the tragedy of this ability being taken away by authoritarian education. In the 1960s in Japan, the "exam wars" were becoming a problem, and education that stripped away children's individuality and standardized them was widespread. Tezuka Osamu used animation to raise the issue that "this is not right" in this state of society.

Characters and symbolism

The boy who is the protagonist of "Mermaid" is a symbol of a pure heart and rich imagination. The incident in which the fish he rescues transforms into a mermaid represents the miracle created by the boy's pure heart and creativity. However, the fact that this miracle is rejected by society and the boy is arrested symbolizes the horror of a controlling society that takes away individual freedom and creativity.

The mermaid itself is also an important symbol. It exists on the border between land and sea, drifting between reality and fantasy. In this work, the mermaid is depicted as the embodiment of the boy's imagination and a symbol of escape from a controlling society. The appearance of the mermaid helps the boy rediscover his own inner strength and attempt to escape from the controlling society.

Animation Techniques and Expressions

"Mermaid - Ningyo" is a work that makes full use of Tezuka Osamu's unique animation style and techniques. Tezuka Osamu used a variety of techniques to maximize the expressiveness of the work within the limited budget and time constraints. For example, the background depictions and character movements use "limited animation", a technique that can be seen in other Tezuka Osamu works. This allows him to focus on the parts necessary for the progression of the story, maximizing the visual impact.

The use of color is also very effective. Dark tones are used extensively to express the darkness and oppression of the controlled society. On the other hand, bright colors are used in the scenes where the boy's imagination is unleashed, visually emphasizing the contrast. This use of color plays an important role in visually expressing the theme of the story.

Social impact and evaluation

Mermaid was highly acclaimed when it was released in 1964. In particular, its criticism of authoritarian education and the entrance exam wars resonated with many viewers. Tezuka Osamu's work went beyond the framework of children's animation and was also praised as a medium that depicted social issues.

This work has also been highly praised overseas. In particular, it is often compared to works that deal with the theme of a controlled society, such as Terry Gilliam's "Brazil," and its visionary and profound themes have been highly praised. Tezuka Osamu's work is also important as an example of the influence that Japanese animation has had on the world.

Recommendations and related works

After watching "Mermaid - Ningyo", be sure to check out other works by Tezuka Osamu. In particular, "Astro Boy" and "Jungle Emperor" are masterpieces filled with Tezuka Osamu's creativity and insight into society. In addition, Terry Gilliam's "Brazil" and George Orwell's "1984" are also recommended as works that deal with the theme of a controlled society. Through these works, you can think deeply about the horror of a controlled society and the importance of individual freedom.

summary

"Mermaid" is a work filled with Osamu Tezuka's unique perspective and creativity, depicting the horror of a controlled society and the importance of imagination. This work has been loved by many viewers since its release in 1964 to the present day, and its themes and expressions are still fresh. Through Osamu Tezuka's work, we can think deeply about the state of society and individual freedom. Please watch this work and enjoy its profound themes and beautiful animation.