Sabu and Ichi Torimonohikae: Exploring the appeal of period dramas and their message for the modern age

"Sabu and Ichi Torimonohikae": A monumental historical anime

■Overview of the work

"Sabu to Ichi Torimono Hikae" (Detective Records of Sabu and Ichi) is a TV anime series that aired on Mainichi Broadcasting System from 1968 to 1969. The original work is a manga by Shotaro Ishinomori, serialized in Shogakukan's Big Comic. This work, consisting of 52 episodes, is set in Edo during the Bunka and Bunsei eras, and is a mystery period drama in which the duo of Sabu, a young underling, and Ichi, a blind masseuse, take on various difficult cases.

■Broadcast information

The series was broadcast from October 3, 1968 to September 24, 1969. The first 26 episodes were broadcast every Thursday from 9:00 pm to 9:30 pm, and the latter half, from episodes 27 to 52, were broadcast every Wednesday from 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The show was broadcast by Mainichi Broadcasting System, and each episode was 30 minutes long.

■Production Background

"Sabu to Ichi Torimonohikae" started out as a show for adult audiences. It is based on a manga by Shotaro Ishinomori, and its predecessor was "Rope and Stone Torimonohikae" which was published in "Weekly Shonen Sunday". It actively uses a variety of visual expressions, such as emphasizing light and dark by taking advantage of the fact that it is a black-and-white work, interweaving movement and stillness with varying speed, background art in the style of Japanese painting called sumi-e, and even inserting photographs and live action. The production was divided among three animation production companies, Mushi Production, Studio Zero, and Toei Animation, depending on the number of episodes.

■ Story

Set in Edo during the Bunka and Bunsei era, this is the story of a young underling, Sabuku, and his friend, the blind masseur Ichi, who team up to tackle various difficult cases. Sabuku is skilled in rope-binding techniques using a rope tied to a jitte (truncheon), and is a compassionate young man with a strong sense of justice, but his immaturity can also be a weakness. Meanwhile, Ichi is a master of Iaijutsu using a hidden staff, and as Sabuku's best friend, she lends her strength to his work on many occasions. The two of them fight to cut through the darkness of Edo and uphold justice.

■ Characters

Sabu

He is a subordinate who is skilled in rope-catching techniques using a rope with a jitte tied to it. He grew up in a poor village and ran away to Edo, where he was picked up by Sahei. He is a compassionate young man with a strong sense of justice, but his immaturity can also be a weakness. He is in a mutual love relationship with Midori.

city

He is a blind masseuse and an expert in Iaijutsu using a hidden staff. He is best friends with Saburo and lends his strength to her work on many occasions. Ichi's presence is indispensable to Saburo, and the two of them solve cases while supporting each other.

Saheiji

He is a police inspector, and due to his chronic gout, he often leaves arrests to Sawa. He is like a mentor to Sawa, and his advice based on his extensive experience is important to Sawa.

Green

She is Saheiji's daughter and has feelings for Sabu, but is unable to express them honestly. Her presence is a great support for Sabu, and she is deeply involved in the progression of the story.

Santa

A child who calls himself Sawamura's subordinate and lives in the same tenement house as Ichi. Santa, who has a lively and cheerful personality, often accompanies Sawamura and Ichi on their adventures and helps solve cases.

Yasunoshin Tanabe

He is a police officer who commands Sabu and Saheiji, and is in a position to command the two. Under his instructions, Sabu and Ichi take on various cases.

■Cast

・Satake: Kei Toyama (episodes 1-33), Makio Inoue (episodes 34-52)
・City: Teiji Omiya ・Midori: Reiko Muto ・Saheiji: Koichi Kitamura ・Yasunori Tanabe: Osamu Kobayashi ・Santa: Minori Matsushima ・Narration: Shoji Kobayashi, Reiko Muto, Koichi Kitamura, Osamu Kobayashi

■ Main staff

Original story: Shotaro Ishinomori・Director: Shigeyuki Hayashi・Supervision: Teiji Matsuda・Music: Takeo Yamashita・Screenplay: Ikuro Suzuki, Ken Sako, Keiichi Abe, Kiyohide Ohara, Masaki Tsuji・Direction: Masaki Mamoru, Morimi Murano, Keizo Kira, Rintaro, Shinichi Suzuki・Art: Yoshiya Yamamoto, Yoshikuni Nishi, Hajime Numai・Editing: Harutoshi Ogata, Eiko Nishide, Masaaki Hanai・Production: Kohei Saito, Koichi Fujita・Production: Kiyoichi Kakuta・Sound direction: Ryoichi Asano・Sound: Susumu Aketagawa, Yoshimoto Kusama・Sound effects: Masatoshi Mizumachi, Noriyoshi Ohira・Sound recording: Hiromi Kanbara, Ryoichi Asano・Music selection: Shigeru Miyashita・Development: Ikuei-sha, Tokyo Television Center, Toei Chemical・Planning: Dentsu・Production: Mushi Production, Toei Animation, Studio Zero

■ Episode

"Sabu to Ichi Torimonohikae" consists of 52 stories, each of which depicts a different case. Here are some examples:

Episode 1: "The Rebel"

This is the episode in which Sabu and Ichi first meet, and a friendship blossoms between the two as they pursue the rebels.

Episode 2: "Three Mad Dogs"

The story revolves around the pursuit of three mad dogs that are terrorizing the city of Edo, and Sabu's rope-binding techniques are put to good use.

Episode 3 "Hannya"

This is the episode in which a monster wearing a Hannya mask appears and Sabu and Ichi try to discover its true identity.

Episode 4: "Twilight in Edo"

As they pursue the evil lurking in the darkness of Edo's night, the bond between Sabu and Ichi deepens.

Episode 5: "Chase the Female Pickpocket"

Ichi's insight shines in an episode in which he pursues a female pickpocket who uses clever tactics to deceive people.

Episode 6: The Lullaby of Death

As they uncover the secrets hidden in the lullaby, Sabu and Ichi's friendship is put to the test.

Episode 7: "Tearful Reverse Slash"

The story depicts Sawa's growth as he pursues the master of the reverse hand slash.

Episode 8: The Devil's Lucky Ticket

In this episode where they uncover the hidden evil in the winning lottery ticket, Satake and Ichi's teamwork is put to the test.

Episode 9: "Sent to the Island of Terror"

Sabu and Ichi's courage is put to the test as they attempt to rescue the people who have been exiled to the island.

Episode 10: "The Laws of Hell"

Sabu and Ichi struggle to save people bound by the laws of hell.

Episode 11: The Grudge of Tenpo Coins

As they unravel the grudge surrounding the Tenpo coins, the friendship between Sabu and Ichi deepens.

Episode 12: The Headless Corpse

When a headless body is discovered, Sabu and Ichi solve the mystery.

Episode 13 "The Black Temple"

In this episode, Sabu and Ichi's courage is put to the test as they uncover the secrets hidden in the Black Temple.

Episode 14: "Jamaicle, the Demon Dog of the Wilderness"

The friendship between Sabu and Ichi is put to the test as they chase the demon dog Jamikur that appears in the wilderness.

Episode 15: Oedo Bangaichi

As they solve the cases that occur in the outskirts of Oedo, the bond between Sabu and Ichi deepens.

Episode 16: "The Merciless Detective"

This episode depicts the ruthlessness of the police and shows Satake's growth.

Episode 17: A Rainy Night

As they solve the case that takes place on a rainy night, Sabu and Ichi's friendship is put to the test.

Episode 18: The Tears of Separation

As the sad story of the Enkiri Enoki tree is unraveled, the bond between Sawa and the city deepens.

Episode 19: The Babysitter

In an episode that uncovers the secrets of a babysitting yakuza, Sabu and Ichi's teamwork is put to the test.

Episode 20: Grudge

As they solve a case of grudge, Satake and Ichi's friendship is put to the test.

Episode 21: The Trap of the Devil's Den

Sabu and Ichi's courage will be put to the test as they unravel the traps hidden within the den.

Episode 22: Beautiful Prey

As they pursue beautiful prey, the bond between Sabu and the city deepens.

Episode 23: The Lullaby that Killed Him

Sabu and Ichi's friendship is put to the test as they unravel the murderous secret hidden within the lullaby.

Episode 24: The Cursed Red Cat

Satake and Ichi's teamwork is put to the test as they solve the case involving a cursed red cat.

Episode 25: "Flower storm of tears"

The bond between Sabu and Ichi deepens in this episode that uncovers the secret hidden in the tearful flower storm.

Episode 26: "Bloodstained Highway"

Sabu and Ichi's courage is put to the test as they solve the cases that occur on Smoke-filled Highway.

Episode 27 "Bodyguard from Hell"

Sabu and Ichi's friendship is put to the test in an episode that uncovers the hidden secrets of Hell's Bodyguard.

Episode 28: "Murderous Pursuit"

The episode depicts a murder chase and tests Sabu and Ichi's teamwork.

Episode 29: The Blind Man

As they solve the case surrounding the blind man's murder, the bond between Sabu and Ichi deepens.

Episode 30: The Stray Dog's Song

In this episode, Sabu and Ichi's courage is put to the test as they uncover the secret hidden in the stray dog's song.

Episode 31 "God Hiding"

As they solve the case surrounding the god hiding, Sabu and Ichi's friendship is put to the test.

Episode 32: Let me cut you down

As they unravel the secret hidden in the words "I'll cut you down," Satake and Ichi's teamwork is put to the test.

Episode 33: "Lullaby for a Motherless Child"

The bond between Sabu and Ichi deepens in an episode that uncovers the secret hidden in a lullaby for a motherless child.

Episode 34: "The Dark Murderous Night Comes"

Sabu and Ichi's courage is put to the test as they solve the case that unfolds on a dark, murderous night.

Episode 35: The Lightning Boy Arrives

The friendship between Sabu and Ichi is put to the test in an episode that uncovers the secrets of Inazuma Kozo.

Episode 36: "I've Finally Found My Parent's Victim"

As they pursue the person who killed their parents, Satake and Ichi's teamwork is put to the test.

Episode 37: Edo's Greatest Detective

The episode depicts Edo's biggest detective job and strengthens the bond between Sabu and the city.

Episode 38: Kill the City!

Sabu and Ichi's courage is put to the test as they uncover the secret behind the order to kill Ichi.

Episode 39: The Daddy Journey

As they solve the cases that arise along the way, Satake and Ichi's friendship is put to the test.

Episode 40: Don't Touch the 3,000 Ryo

The teamwork of Satake and Ichi is put to the test in this episode, which uncovers the secret hidden in the warning not to touch the 3,000 ryo.

Episode 41: The Bells of the Two Stars Call

As they unravel the secret hidden in the two-star bell, the bond between Sabu and Ichi deepens.

Episode 42: Traveling Companions

This episode uncovers the secret hidden in the phrase "travelling companions," putting Sabu and Ichi's courage to the test.

Episode 43: "Illusions Kill Me"

As they unravel the secrets hidden in the words "Phantoms will kill me," Sabu and Ichi's friendship is put to the test.

Episode 44: "Blow the whistle and the woman disappears"

In this episode, which uncovers the secret behind the phenomenon of a woman disappearing when a flute is blown, Satake and Ichi's teamwork is put to the test.

Episode 45: The Life of an Assassin

As they unravel the secrets of the assassin family, the bond between Sabu and Ichi deepens.

Episode 46: One Man Slashes Through the Darkness

This episode uncovers the secret hidden in the phrase "one man slaying the darkness," putting Sabu and Ichi's courage to the test.

Episode 47: This is what it means to be a man

Satake and Ichi's friendship is put to the test as they unravel the secrets hidden in the phrase "this is what it means to be a man."

Episode 48: The Cat Knows

In this episode, which uncovers the secret hidden in the phrase "cats know," Satake and Ichi's teamwork is put to the test.

Episode 49: The Young Master Jumps In

As they unravel the secrets of the young master who jumped in, the bond between Sabu and the city deepens.

Episode 50: A Man's Tears as He Enters the Ring

This episode uncovers the secret hidden behind the phrase "a man's tearful entrance into the ring," putting Sabu and Ichi's courage to the test.

Episode 51: As long as human feelings exist

As they unravel the secret hidden in the phrase "as much human kindness as possible," Satake and Ichi's friendship is put to the test.

Episode 52 "The Sun of Edo"

In this episode, which uncovers the secret hidden in the word Edo's sun, Sabu and Ichi's teamwork is put to the test.

■ Evaluation and impact

"Saburo to Ichi Torimonohikae" was highly praised as a mystery period drama aimed at adult audiences. The visual expression that made the most of the black-and-white production and the storytelling with its varied pace made a strong impression on viewers. In addition, the story depicting the friendship and sense of justice between Saburo and Ichi captured the hearts of many viewers. This work had a major influence on later period anime, and made Shotaro Ishinomori's name famous overnight.

■ Recommendation points

"Sato and Ichi Torimonohikae" is a work with a unique charm that combines period drama and mystery. The story of the friendship and sense of justice between Sato and Ichi will move the viewer. In addition, the visual expression that makes the most of the black and white film pursues visual beauty. As a work for adult audiences, it deals with deep themes, so it can be recommended to a wide range of age groups. It is a must-see work, especially for fans of period dramas and mysteries.

■ Related works

Another interesting work is the manga "Rawa to Ishi Torimonohikae" by Shotaro Ishinomori, which is the original work of "Sabu to Ichi Torimonohikae". Also, the "Kamen Rider" series and "Cyborg 009", which are also works by Shotaro Ishinomori, are in a different genre from period dramas, but you can enjoy Shotaro Ishinomori's unique worldview. Please check out these works as well.

■ Summary

"Sabu to Ichi Torimonohikae" is a TV anime series that aired from 1968 to 1969. It is a mystery period drama set in Edo during the Bunka and Bunsei era. The story of the duo Sabu and Ichi taking on various difficult cases will move viewers. The visual expression that makes the most of the black and white production and the storytelling with varying tempos pursue visual beauty and deep themes. As a work for adult audiences, it can be recommended to a wide range of age groups. We hope you enjoy this work.