The appeal and reputation of Sally the Witch: A classic anime that still stands the test of time

Sally the Witch: Its Appreciation and Appeal as a Pioneer of Magical Girl Anime

Introduction

Sally the Witch, which aired from 1966 to 1968, is a work that defined an era in the history of television animation, and is known in particular as a pioneer that established the "magical girl" genre. The work was produced by Toei Animation based on the manga of the same name by Mitsuteru Yokoyama, and attracted attention as the first TV anime series targeted at young girls. In this article, we will take a closer look at the appeal and influence of Sally the Witch, and explore why the work continues to be loved today.

Overview

"Sally the Witch" depicts the adventures of Sally, a mischievous girl who comes to the human world from the magical kingdom. Sally lives as a fifth grader in the human world, and solves various problems using magic while spending time with her friends. The story depicts friendship, growth, and the joys and difficulties that come with magical powers.

Broadcast information

• Media : TV anime series
• Original Media : Manga
• Broadcast period : December 5, 1966 - December 30, 1968
• Broadcasting station : NET
• Broadcast time : Every Monday from 7:00pm to 7:30pm
• Duration : 30 minutes
• Episode count : 109
• Original author : Mitsuteru Yokoyama
• Produced by : Toei Animation
• Copyright : ©Hikari Productions, Toei Animation

story

Sally, who came to the human world from the magical kingdom, is interested in life in the human world and decides to live there with her little brother, Kabu, pretending to be human. Sally transfers to an elementary school in the human world and meets friends such as Sumire-chan and Yoshiko-chan. As she deepens her friendships with them, Sally occasionally uses magic to overcome difficult situations. Through Sally's growth and life in the human world, the story depicts friendship, familial love, and the joys and responsibilities that come with magical powers.

Commentary

"Sally the Witch" is based on a manga by Mitsuteru Yokoyama and was the first TV anime series to be broadcast with an audience limited to young girls. This work was the first domestic TV anime in the "magical girl" genre, and its success had a major impact on the establishment of "anime for girls" that followed. The first 17 episodes were broadcast in black and white, after which it was switched to color. This change, along with its visual appeal, was an important factor in attracting viewer interest.

cast

• Sally : Michiko Hirai
• Yoshiko : Midori Kato
• Sumire, Mum : Nana Yamaguchi
• Dad : Kenji Utsumi
• Turnip : Sachiko Chijimatsu
• Polon : Fuyumi Shiraishi
• Teacher : Ryo Ishihara

Main Staff

• Original author : Mitsuteru Yokoyama
• Planning : Iwao Sasatani, Kenji Yokoyama, Kei Iijima, Sadamitsu Matsumoto
• Producer : Iwao Sasatani
• Screenplay : Jiro Yoshino, Junya Sato, Shunichi Yukimuro
• Music : Asei Kobayashi
• Theme song :
  • OP : "Sally the Witch"
    Lyrics: Kiyoshi Yamamoto Music: Asei Kobayashi Performed by: The Three Graces
  • ED1 : "Magic Mambo"
    Lyrics: Kiyoshi Yamamoto Music: Asei Kobayashi Performance: Yoko Maekawa
  • ED2 : "Mischievous Song"
    Lyrics: Kiyoshi Yamamoto Composition: Asei Kobayashi Sung by: Yukari Asai, Masako Nozawa, Midori Kato, Sachiko Chijimatsu, Michiko Hirai
  • ED3 : "Papapa's Choina Song"
    Lyrics: Kiyoshi Yamamoto Music: Asei Kobayashi Singer: Yoko Mizugaki, Four Mates

Main Characters

• Sally Yumeno : A princess of the magical kingdom, she is a bit of a tomboy and likes to play pranks. In the human world, she is a fifth-grade elementary school girl and lives with her younger brothers Kabu and Poron.
• Kabu : A resident of the Magic Kingdom, he is known as Sally's younger brother in the human world, but is actually a servant of the royal family of the Magic Kingdom.
• Polon : A mischievous wizard who lives in the human world as Sally's cousin. An original character from the anime version.
• Yoshiko Hanamura : Sally's classmate, a girl with a big sister-like personality. She acts as a mother figure to the triplet brothers Tonkichi, Chinpei, and Kanta.
• Kasugano Sumire : Sally's classmate, an honor student with a quiet personality and good studies.
• Sally's Father : The king of the magical kingdom, he is a strict and dignified king, but he can also be a little lenient with Sally.
• Sally's Mom : The queen of the magical kingdom, she has a kind personality and always watches over Sally from the magical kingdom.

subtitle

Below are the subtitles of each episode of Sally the Witch. These episodes depict Sally's life and growth in the human world.

• Episode 1: A cute witch has arrived
• Episode 2: Sally's Home Alone
• Episode 3: Santa Claus has arrived
• Episode 4: A wonderful school
• Episode 5: The kidnappers panic
• Episode 6: Ultra Granny
• Episode 7: Hello Thief
• Episode 8: The Magical Picnic
• Episode 9: Dad is the weather
• Episode 10: Dreams for Tomorrow
• Episode 11: Where is Namida-kun?
• Episode 12: The Prince of the Alley
• Episode 13: The mean test
• Episode 14: Dreams and ghosts
• Episode 15: The Magic Subway Line Zero
• Episode 16: The troublesome freeloader
• Episode 17: Sally and the Princess
• Episode 18: My Dad is a Fake
• Episode 19: Tomboy Drive
• Episode 20: Sunday Gift
• Episode 21: I Love You Mommy
• Episode 22: Cute Poppy
• Episode 23: Woof Woof
• Episode 24: The Mysterious Haunted Mansion
• Episode 25: Grandpa's Birthday
• Episode 26: Magical Balloon Trip
• Episode 27: A cute angel came down
• Episode 28: The Ballerina of Dreams
• Episode 29: Full of Failures
• Episode 30: Prank School
• Episode 31: The Witch's Happiness
• Episode 32: Sally at the Beach
• Episode 33: Sally's Bride
• Episode 34: Treasures of the Sea
• Episode 35: Ghost Girl
• Episode 36: Shaking hands with a lion
• Episode 37: Tokyo Manga Street
• Episode 38: The Naughty General
• Episode 39: The Strange Transfer Student
• Episode 40: Key Boy Taro
• Episode 41: Yotchan becomes a dog
• Episode 42: Magic Fortune Telling
• Episode 43: The troubled student
• Episode 44: I saw magic
• Episode 45: Graffiti Parade
• Episode 46: The invisible badge
• Episode 47: I want to be a witch
• Episode 48: Sally in Trouble
• Episode 49: The Circus Girl
• Episode 50: A Bridge of Sincerity
• Episode 51: Mommy's Smell
• Episode 52: Good Luck Sally
• Episode 53: The King of School Lunches
• Episode 54: Mr. Snowman
• Episode 55: Christmas of Friendship
• Episode 56: The Rice Cake Pounding Incident
• Episode 57: The Magical Trio
• Episode 58: Goodbye to the point-scoring bug
• Episode 59: Winter Mountain Events
• Episode 60: Pony's Garden
• Episode 61: Child of the North Wind
• Episode 62: Sally's Hometown
• Episode 63: Blue-eyed friends
• Episode 64: The Magic Sketchbook
• Episode 65: Where is my brother?
• Episode 66: The Old Dog and the Girl
• Episode 67: The Great Prank Plan
• Episode 68: Sally Goes Wild
• Episode 69: Magical April Fool's Day
• Episode 70: Everyone is Falling Apart
• Episode 71: The Teacher's Bride
• Episode 72: Trial in the Magic Kingdom
• Episode 73: Sally's Day Off
• Story 74: Carp streamers and Kashiwamochi
• Episode 75: Putan the Bear
• Episode 76: Pororon Angel
• Episode 77: The Little Wizard
• Episode 78: The Magical School Festival
• Episode 79: Mini-Mini Wife
• Episode 80: Let's hope tomorrow is sunny
• Episode 81: Sally's Photographer
• Episode 82: Stylish Glasses
• Episode 83: The Tear Jewel
• Episode 84: The Ugly Doll
• Episode 85: Sunday School
• Episode 86: Who is Princess Cinderella?
• Episode 87: Wings of Love
• Episode 88: Give us back our playground
• Episode 89: Hooray! Campfire
• Episode 90: Goldfish and Wind Chimes
• Episode 91: Memorial Tree of Farewell
• Episode 92: Secret Treasure
• Episode 93: Sally's disappearance
• Episode 94: Mischievous Child
• Episode 95: Run Degoichi
• Episode 96: The Little Kids' Big Uproar
• Episode 97: The Great Buddha Begins to Walk
• Episode 98: Hooray! Olympics
• Episode 99: Sally's Princess Kaguya
• Episode 100: The Liar Monk
• Episode 101: The Greatest Prank on Earth
• Episode 102: The Amazing Old Lady
• Episode 103: Don't give up! The three girls
• Episode 104: Sally's Maid
• Episode 105: The Last Magician
• Episode 106: The Adorable Maiko
• Episode 107: A Girl Standing in a Snowstorm
• Episode 108: Poron's Lullaby
• Episode 109: Goodbye Sally

Related Titles

There are several theatrical versions of the TV blow-up version of the first film, Sally the Witch. In addition, a second TV series, special edition, and film version were also produced. The related works are listed below.

• "Sally the Witch" [2nd film]
• "Sally the Witch" "Yoshiko-chan Becomes a Witch" [2nd series, 1st TV special]
• "Sally the Witch" "A mother's love is eternal! The cry of the sorrowful witch echoes through the Aurora Valley!" [2nd TV Special 2nd Series]
• "Sally the Witch" [2nd movie version]

Evaluation and impact

"Sally the Witch" was a pioneer of anime for girls and had a huge impact on the anime industry thereafter. It is particularly notable for establishing the "magical girl" genre, which has influenced many later works such as "Sailor Moon" and "Cardcaptor Sakura." The character of Sally was also loved as a presence that gave children dreams and hope, and was supported by many fans.

Attractions and recommended points

The appeal of "Sally the Witch" lies above all in the character of Sally. Her mischievous and tomboyish personality resonated with children, and her use of magic to solve problems gave viewers dreams and hope. In addition, the story, which depicts friendship and family love, is inspiring not only for children but also for adults. Furthermore, the transition from the early black and white to color enhanced the visual appeal and was an important factor in attracting viewers' attention.

The points that make me recommend this work are as follows:

• Historical value : As a pioneer of anime for girls, this work had a major impact on the anime industry thereafter.
• Appeal of the character : Sally's character was beloved as a figure that gave children dreams and hope.
• Depth of story : Stories depicting friendship and family love will touch not only children but also adults.
• Visual Appeal : The move from early black and white to color increased visual appeal and captured the viewer’s attention.

Conclusion

"Sally the Witch" is a work that defined an era in the history of television animation, and is known in particular as a pioneer that established the "magical girl" genre. This work was also notable as the first TV anime series targeted at young girls, and had a major impact on the animation industry thereafter. Sally's character and story gave children dreams and hope, and was supported by many fans. Along with its visual appeal, the story of friendship and family love is inspiring not only for children but also for adults. "Sally the Witch" is a work that you should definitely watch at least once due to its historical value, the charm of its characters, the depth of its story, and its visual appeal.