"Shin Takarajima" Review: An invitation to a world of adventure and mystery

The appeal and reviews of Shintakarajima

■ Public Media

TV Special

■ Original Media

novel

■ Broadcast period

January 3, 1965 - January 1, 0000

■Frequencies

60 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Robert Louis Stevenson

■ Production

Mushi Production

■Works

©Tezuka Productions/Mushi Productions

■ Story

A dead pirate left behind a huge amount of treasure on a mysterious island. In search of the mysterious treasure, Silver the pirate and his young friend Jim set out on an adventure across the high seas.

■Explanation

This adventure action series was adapted from Stevenson's adventure novel "Treasure Island" by manga artist Tezuka Osamu, who replaced all the characters with anthropomorphized animals. It was a one-off work that aired in a one-hour slot, and was Japan's first TV special animation. It was a fusion of Tezuka Osamu's unique worldview and the adventure elements of the original work, providing viewers with a new experience. In particular, the replacement of the characters with animals made it a work that was easy for children to relate to. The visual expression, which made full use of the technology of the time, was also highly praised, and it had a major influence on later animation production.

■Cast

・Pirate Silver (Wolf) / Takeshi Kato
Gym Boy (Rabbit) / Kazue Tagami
Captain (Bear) / Genzo Wakayama
・Mr. Lipsy (deer)/Takashi Kitahara
・Triloni (Pig) / Takuya Fujioka
・Pew (Wildcat) / Kazuo Kumakura
・Billy Bones (Mountain Dog) / Seizo Kato

■ Main staff

・Adaptation and direction by Tezuka Osamu ・Original story by Robert Louis Stevenson ・Music by Tomita Isao ・Chief animation director by Sugii Gisaburo ・Key animation by Sakamoto Yusaku, Konno Shuji ・Animation by Masanobu Kozo, Nishimaki Hideo ・Art by Hando Katsumi ・Cinematography by Shimizu Tatsumasa, Sakura Noriyuki ・Editing by Furukawa Masashi ・Production cooperation by Fuji Television (in charge by Bessho Koji)

■ Main Characters

・Jim The main character is a young rabbit boy. His dream is to become a great sailor. Jim has a strong sense of adventure and a strong will that never gives up even in difficult situations. His growth and courage are depicted in the story, which moves the audience.

・Silver A pirate and a one-eyed, one-legged wolf. Silver is cunning and ruthless, but at the same time, he is loyal to his comrades. Through his relationship with Jim, his humanity is explored in depth, making him a character that evokes complex emotions from the viewer.

■ Detailed evaluation and analysis

"New Treasure Island" is a work that combines Osamu Tezuka's unique worldview with the adventure elements of the original work, providing viewers with a new experience. In particular, by replacing the characters with animals, it became a work that was easy for children to relate to. In addition, the visual expression that made full use of the technology of the time was also praised, and it had a great influence on later anime production.

The story depicts the adventure of Jim and the pirate Silver in search of a treasure island, and while retaining the essence of the original work, it has been reinterpreted from Tezuka Osamu's unique perspective. The portrayal of Jim's growth and Silver's humanity allows viewers to empathize deeply with the story. In addition, the various characters they meet during the adventure are also charming, adding color to the story.

The acting of the cast is also superb, especially Kato Takeshi's voice as Silver, who perfectly expresses the character's cunning and loyalty. Also, Tagami Kazue's voice as Jim exudes a boyish innocence and courage, evoking sympathy from the audience. Tomita Isao's talent for music shines through, playing an important role in enhancing the atmosphere of the adventure.

Visually, the beautiful visuals created by key animation staff such as Yusaku Sakamoto and Shuji Konno under the direction of Gisaburo Sugii are impressive. In particular, the depictions of the ocean and the scenery of Treasure Island are visually very appealing and have the power to draw the viewer into the world of the story. Katsumi Hando's art and the cinematography by Tatsumasa Shimizu and Noriyuki Sakura are also important elements in enhancing the quality of the work.

■ Recommendations and related works

Although "New Treasure Island" is one of Tezuka Osamu's early works, it had a major influence on subsequent anime productions. It is a work that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people, from adventurous children to adults, and is a must-see for Tezuka Osamu fans in particular. Also, those who like the original "Treasure Island" will be able to enjoy it from a new perspective.

Related works include other works by Tezuka Osamu such as "Astro Boy" and "Jungle Emperor." These works also combine Tezuka Osamu's unique worldview with adventure elements, and have a common appeal with "New Treasure Island." Other recommended anime with a similar adventure theme include "One Piece" and "Lupin the Third." These works also depict the thrill of adventure and the growth of characters, and fans of "New Treasure Island" will enjoy them.

Furthermore, to gain a deeper understanding of Tezuka Osamu's work, we recommend reading his autobiography and a collection of interviews. Learning about the background and philosophy behind Tezuka Osamu's creations will deepen the appeal of "Shin Takarajima." Also, exhibitions and events themed around Tezuka Osamu's works are sometimes held, so it would be a good idea to take advantage of these opportunities to experience the world of his work.

Above, we have introduced the appeal and reviews of "New Takarajima," as well as recommendations and related works. This work, which combines Tezuka Osamu's unique worldview with the adventure elements of the original work, provided viewers with a new experience and had a major influence on later anime productions. This is a work that adventure lovers and Tezuka Osamu fans should definitely watch.