The appeal and evaluation of Pyunpyunmaru: A must-read review for anime fans

Pyunpyunmaru - The charm of nostalgic comedy anime and its background

Overview

"Pyun Pyun Maru," which aired in 1967, is a TV anime series produced by Toei Animation based on Tsunoda Jiro's manga "Ninja Awatemaru." It consists of 26 episodes and was broadcast on NET TV. The first 12 episodes were broadcast from July 3 to September 18, 1967, and were then rebroadcast from December 29, 1969 to March 30, 1970, with the remaining episodes 13 to 26 being broadcast. Each episode was 30 minutes long, and it was loved by many viewers as a comedy anime.

■ Story

Pyunpyunmaru works at the "Anything Goes Office," a detective agency that has been in the red for years. Together with Chibimaru, he struggles to solve unusual cases that are requested of him. However, Pyunpyunmaru is clumsy and makes a lot of mistakes, is chased by Kemeko, who he doesn't get along with, and his relationship with Sayuri, whom he has a crush on, doesn't progress. In addition, the Fuuma ninjas interfere with the work, and it's not as easy as he thinks it would be. The word "It's tough!!" symbolizes his daily life.

■Explanation

"Pyunpyunmaru" is a comedy anime based on Tsunoda Jiro's manga "Ninja Awatemaru," but also incorporates elements of "Kabuton the Monster." It features a unique setting in which modern technology, monsters, and cyborgs appear in a period drama worldview. The theme song is performed by comedian Ichiro Zaitsu, who gained popularity with the TV comedy "Tenamonya Midorigasa," and his signature gag "Kibishi!!" is also used in the main story. The series was canceled after 12 episodes when it was first aired, but all 26 episodes were released for the first time during a rebroadcast. The tentative title "Hana no Pyunpyunmaru" was also announced before the start of the broadcast.

■Cast

• Pyunpyunmaru - Kazue Tagami
• Chibimaru - Midori Kato
• Director - Joji Yanami
• Kemeko - Machiko Soga
• Sayuri - Fuyumi Shiraishi

■ Main staff

• Planning - Katsuyuki Onuma, Shinichi Miyazaki
• Production manager - Masaharu Eto
• Music: Hirooki Ogawa
• Edited by Ryo Suzuki and Yasuo Iseki
• Recording: Hiromi Kanbara, Fumio Arakawa
• Effect - Noriyoshi Ohira
• Development - Toei Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
• Produced by: Toei Animation

■ Main Characters

• Pyunpyunmaru - A young ninja of the Koga school who works at the Anything Goes office. He is a master of baseball ninjutsu and uses a kendama as a weapon. He is clumsy and makes a lot of mistakes. He is in love with Sayuri, but is chased by Kemeko every day.
• Chibimaru - Pyunpyunmaru's younger brother. He wears a loose white ninja outfit and a red mask, and destroys everything with a cry of "Bie!" His catchphrase is "That's why."
• Director - The owner of the Anything Goes Agency. He complains a lot and is very particular about money. He can move his whiskers as easily as his fingers.
• Kemeko - A strong girl who adores Pyunpyunmaru. She has a strange hairstyle that looks like a bowl on her head.
• Sayuri - A beautiful Iga ninja, she is the object of Pyunpyunmaru's affection. The two gradually fall in love with each other.

■Subtitle

• Episode 1 - The strange monster with three faces
• Episode 2 - I'll have a big meal
• Episode 3 - Monster Gorogoron
• Episode 4 - Stormy Mountain
• Episode 5 - A ridiculous person
• Episode 6 - The Anmitsu Swordsman in Danger
• Episode 7 - The Dotedote Monster Incident
• Episode 8 - The Cat Stumbles
• Episode 9 - Operation Dotedote Cyborg
• Episode 10 - A cool rainbow hood
• Episode 11 - I hate Bomb-chan
• Episode 12 - For some reason, Tengu's nose is low
• Episode 13 - Kemeko's Lullaby
• Episode 14 - The Worst Plan in History
• Episode 15 - The Daifuku Incident
• Episode 16 - A ghost appeared!
• Episode 17 - Don't Abandon the Monster
• Episode 18 - War-chan and Peace-chan
• Episode 19 - Smiling Ninja Dayon
• Episode 20 - The Secret Thief
• Episode 21 - The Dotedote Rescue Mission
• Episode 22 - It's a Golden Egg
• Episode 23 - It's the Same
• Episode 24 - Weather Hotline
• Episode 25 - Baseball Ninja and Pirate-chan
• Episode 26 - The Phantom Thief Squid Emon

■ Evaluation and impact

"Pyunpyunmaru" was highly praised as a comedy anime. In particular, the world view that combined period drama with modern technology, the theme song by Zaitsu Ichiro, and the gag "Kibishi!!" made a strong impression on viewers. In addition, the story is livened up by the unique characters such as Pyunpyunmaru's failures and struggles, Chibimaru's destructive power, Kemeko's superhuman strength, and Sayuri's beauty.

This anime provided laughter and excitement to children at the time, and spawned many fans. In particular, the scenes where Pyunpyunmaru uses his baseball ninja techniques and kendama became a hot topic among children, and even gave them ideas for games to play. Furthermore, the rebroadcast of all 26 episodes allowed even more viewers to enjoy the series.

■ Recommendation points

"Pyun Pyun Maru" is not only enjoyable as a comedy anime, but also allows you to experience a unique worldview that combines period drama and modern technology. In addition, the activities of the unique characters, Ichiro Zaitsu's theme song, and the gag "Kibishi!!" are also attractive. It is especially recommended as a work that provides laughter and excitement for children.

This anime had a huge impact on children at the time, and created many fans. The scenes where Pyun Pyun Maru uses baseball ninja techniques and kendama became a hot topic among children, and even gave them ideas for games to play. The rebroadcast of all 26 episodes allowed even more viewers to enjoy this work.

■ Related works

I also recommend the manga "Ninja Awatemaru" by Jiro Tsunoda, which is the original work of "Pyunpyunmaru". You can also enjoy "Kabuton the Monster Bug", also by Jiro Tsunoda, as a comedy anime. These works have a worldview that combines period drama with modern technology, and you can enjoy the exploits of unique characters.

■ Summary

"Pyun Pyun Maru" is a comedy anime produced by Toei Animation based on Tsunoda Jiro's manga "Ninja Awatemaru." Its appeal lies in its worldview that combines period drama with modern technology, the adventures of its unique characters, the theme song by Zaitsu Ichiro, and the gag "Kibishi!!" It is still loved today as a work that provided laughter and emotion to children at the time and created many fans. Please enjoy this work.