The appeal and evaluation of W3: A deep review

W3 - Wonder3 - Detailed evaluation and recommendation

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

June 6, 1965 - June 27, 1966

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 52

■Original Story

Osamu Tezuka

■ Production

Mushi Production

■Works

©Tezuka Productions/Mushi Productions

■ Story

Major Bocco and three other aliens, known as the W3 (Wonder Three), are ordered by the Galactic Federation to investigate Earth to see if it is worthy of being a part of the galaxy. If the investigation determines that Earth is not worthy of being left on Earth, it will be destroyed by a half-proton bomb. Using their transformation machines, the W3 transform into a rabbit, a duck, and a horse, and decide to join forces with a boy named Shinichi and his brother, Koichi, whom they meet by chance. Through their interactions with Shinichi and his friends, the W3 gradually begin to change their minds about Earth, which they had previously thought of as a barbaric planet.

■Explanation

This action anime follows three aliens who come to Earth to investigate the planet and a boy from Earth who join forces to fight evil. It is based on the manga of the same name by Tezuka Osamu. It features Tezuka Osamu's unique worldview and a story that reflects the social issues of the time, making it a work that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. In particular, the theme that questions the value of the Earth is still relevant today. In addition, the setting in which each member of the Amazing 3 transforms into an animal stimulates children's imaginations and has created many fans.

■Cast

・Bocco/Fuyumi Shiraishi・Bukko/Shinsuke Chikaishi・Nokko/Yasuo Kojima・Shinichi/Kazuko Sawada・Koichi/Yoshio Kanauchi・Mother/Ryoko Sakurai

■ Main staff

・Original concept and general director: Tezuka Osamu ・Producer: Kurokawa Keijiro ・Chief director: Sugiyama Taku ・Art: Nakamura Kazuko (in charge of Bokko), Matsuo Shingo (in charge of Bukko), Sugiyama Taku (in charge of Hoshi Koichi), Miwa Takateru (in charge of Nokko), Onuki Nobuo, Tezuka Osamu, Hata Masami, Ochiai Masamune, Tsukioka Sadao, Okaoi Nobuhiro, Kumano Motoo and others ・Art: Nishida Minoru ・Music: Uno Seiichiro ・Sound: Kawai Hisashi, Ikeuchi Tatsuo

■ Main Characters

・Hoshi Shinichi He may seem a little violent, but he is actually a pure-hearted boy who loves animals. Shinichi is the central character of the story, and as he grows, the members of W3 also change their view of the Earth. Shinichi's purity and courage move the viewers.

・Hoshikou Shinichi's older brother. He is actually a member of Phoenix, an organization for the defense of the Earth. In contrast to Shinichi, Kouichi has a calm and strategic personality, and plays an important role in supporting the W3's investigations.

Major Bocco
A member of the Amazing 3. She has a serious and kind personality. On Earth, she transforms into a rabbit. Bocco is a leader and is responsible for bringing the team together. Her kindness and leadership leave a good impression on viewers.

Lieutenant Bucco
A member of the Amazing 3, he has a nagging personality. He looks like a duck on Earth. Bukko is the mood maker of the team, and adds color to the story with his humor and energy.

・Sergeant Nokko
A member of the Amazing 3, Nokko's Earth form is that of a horse. He is good at making machines. He uses his talents as an engineer to develop tools and vehicles to overcome various crises.

Big Rolly: The W3's vehicle created by Nokko. It is shaped like a tire and can reach a speed of 500 km/h. Big Rolly is an important part of the W3's adventures, and its speed and functionality amaze viewers.

■Subtitle

Episode 1: Three from Space
Episode 2: 24-hour escape
・Episode 3: The Mystery of Shangri-La
・Episode 4: The Story of the Camphor Tree
・Episode 5: Floating Fortress Island
・Episode 6/Skyscraper Zoo
・Episode 7/Queen of Sheba
Episode 8: The Circus Phantom
・Episode 9: Don't Set, Sun
・Episode 10/Mummy Factory
Episode 11: Duel in the North Valley
・Episode 12: The Mole Project
・Episode 13/Iron-eating fish
・Episode 14: The Fortress of Wild Dogs
Episode 15: Sacrifice is not permitted
・Episode 16/My Name is X
・Episode 17/Black Extract
Episode 18: Blow up the silo
・Episode 19/The Phoenix Story
Episode 20: Crazy Target
・Episode 21/Volcano Adventure
・Episode 22/Dangerous Stage
Episode 23: Stormy Showdown
・Episode 24/The Mysterious Inventor
Episode 25: Deadly Car Race
・Episode 26: The Bridge to the Bottom of the Sea
・Episode 27/Invitation to Diamonds
・Episode 28: Valley of Lightning
Episode 29: A day that was erased
・Episode 30: Operation Penguin
・Episode 31/Kiki Kaikai
・Episode 32: The Battle of the Little Kids
・Episode 33/The Four Witches
・Episode 34/Snow Woman
・Episode 35/One-eyed gray wolf
・Episode 36: Jungle Promise
・Episode 37/The Mystery of the Amazon
Episode 38: The Scary Ski Competition
・Episode 39: Hero of the Desert
・Episode 40/The Secret of the Grand Piano
・Episode 41: Jump Out, Pukko
・Episode 42: Wonder Three Goes West
Episode 43: Lover from Space
・Episode 44: The Moving Buddha
Episode 45: Satellite Theft Plan
Episode 46: The Big Crocodile Incident
Episode 47: Damn You, Tequila
・Episode 48: A Dangerous Balloon Trip
Episode 49: Smog Missile
Episode 50: Defeat it with the Tenteko Machine
・Episode 51 / The Whale Underground
・Episode 52/Goodbye Wonder Three

■ Theme songs and music

・OP
・Wonder Three ・Lyrics by Yukihiko Kitagawa ・Music by Seiichiro Uno ・Singers by Vocal Shop, Fuyumi Shiraishi, Shinsuke Chikaishi, Yasuo Kojima

■Detailed evaluation

W3 - Wonder Three is a work that features Tezuka Osamu's unique worldview and a story that reflects the social issues of the time. This anime, which aired from 1965 to 1966, focused on the theme of questioning the value of the Earth, providing viewers with deeply moving and thought-provoking content. In particular, the setting in which W3 members Major Bocco, Lieutenant Bucco, and Corporal Nokko transform into animals stimulated children's imaginations and created many fans. The story is about the W3, who come to investigate the Earth at the command of the Galaxy Federation, and decide whether the Earth is worth leaving behind. If the Earth is judged to be worthless, the Earth will be destroyed by a half-proton bomb, and the tension permeates the entire story. However, the members of W3 change their view of the Earth as they work with a boy named Shinichi Hoshi and his brother Koichi Hoshi, whom they meet by chance. In particular, Shinichi's purity and courage have a great impact on the members of W3, making them reevaluate the value of the Earth. The character settings are also fascinating. Shinichi Hoshi is a little violent, but he is an innocent boy who loves animals, and as he grows up, the members of W3 change their view of the Earth. Koichi Hoshi is Shinichi's older brother, and as a member of Phoenix, an organization for the defense of the Earth, he has a calm and strategic personality and plays an important role in supporting W3's investigations. Major Bocco is the leader of W3, and brings the team together with his serious and kind personality. Lieutenant Bocco is a bit of a talker, but as a mood maker for the team, he adds color to the story with his humor and drive. Corporal Nokko is good at making machines, and develops tools and vehicles to overcome various crises. In addition, the Big Rollie, a vehicle for W3 created by Nokko, is a tire-shaped vehicle that can reach a speed of 500 kilometers per hour, which surprises viewers. Big Rollie is an important presence that supports the adventures of W3, and its speed and functionality have a big impact on the story. There are also a variety of subtitles, and each episode depicts a different theme and adventure. Starting from episode 1, "Three from Space," to episode 52, "Goodbye Wonder Three," the story development is characteristic of the series, and viewers will not tire of it. In particular, episodes 19, "The Phoenix Story," and 43, "Lovers from Space," are remembered as episodes that deeply moved viewers. The theme song, "Wonder Three," is also memorable, with lyrics by Yukihiko Kitagawa, music by Seiichiro Uno, and sung by Vocal Shop, Fuyumi Shiraishi, Shinsuke Chikaishi, and Yasuo Kojima. This theme song symbolizes the adventures of the W3 and the theme of questioning the value of the Earth, and left a strong impression on viewers. Overall, W3 - Wonder Three is characterized by Tezuka Osamu's unique worldview and a story that reflects the social issues of the time, making it enjoyable for both children and adults. In particular, the theme of questioning the value of the Earth is still relevant today, providing viewers with deeply moving and thought-provoking content.

■Recommendation

W3 - Wonder Three is a work that features Tezuka Osamu's unique worldview and a story that reflects the social issues of the time, making it enjoyable for both children and adults. In particular, the theme of questioning the value of the Earth is still relevant today, and the content provides viewers with deep emotion and thought-provoking content. The reasons for recommending this work are as follows. 1. **Tezuka Osamu's unique worldview**: Tezuka Osamu's unique worldview gives viewers fresh surprises and emotion. In particular, the setting in which the members of W3 transform into animals stimulates children's imaginations and has created many fans. 2. **A story that reflects social issues**: The story that reflects the social issues of the time encourages viewers to think deeply. In particular, the theme of questioning the value of the Earth is still relevant today, and deeply moves viewers. 3. **Charming characters**: Charming characters such as Hoshi Shinichi, Hoshi Koichi, Major Bocco, Lieutenant Bucco, and Corporal Nokko add excitement to the story. In particular, Shinichi's purity and courage move viewers. 4. **Various subtitles**: Each episode has a different theme and adventure, and the story development is characteristic of the series, so viewers will not get bored. In particular, episodes 19, "The Phoenix Story," and 43, "Lovers from Space," are remembered as episodes that deeply moved viewers. 5. **Memorable theme song**: The theme song, "Wonder Three," symbolizes the adventures of the W3 and the theme of questioning the value of the Earth, and left a strong impression on viewers. For these reasons, W3 - Wonder Three is a work that features Tezuka Osamu's unique worldview and a story that reflects the social issues of the time, and is enjoyable not only for children but also for adults. In particular, the theme of questioning the value of the Earth is still relevant today, and the content provides viewers with deep emotions and makes them think, so we highly recommend it.