Yuyake Bancho: A thorough review of the brilliance of youth and a moving story

"Yuyake Bancho": A monumental example of passionate school action

"Yuyake Bancho" is a TV anime series that aired on Nippon Television from 1968 to 1969, and is based on a manga by Ikki Kajiwara and illustrated by Toshio Shoji. This work was extremely popular with children at the time, and is still beloved today as a landmark of passionate school action drama. Below, we will delve deeper into the details and appeal of "Yuyake Bancho."

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

October 4, 1968 - March 29, 1969
October 1, 1968 - March 29, 1969 Monday - Saturday 18:35 - 18:45
10 minutes each, total of 156 videos

■Broadcasting station

Nippon Television

■Frequencies

10 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 156

■Original Story

・Original story/Ikki Kajiwara ・Art/Tosio Shoji

■ Production

Tokyo TV Video

■ Story

A mysterious student, Akagi Chuji, transfers to Kiso Junior High School, known as a den of delinquent boys. Although Chuji came from Mount Akagi, he is small in stature but good at fighting, has a bright personality and a strong sense of justice. At the urging of his classmate and brilliant student, Aoki Shuichi, and the school's Madonna, Mizunoe Yoko, Akagi confronts the gang of delinquents who rule Kiso Junior High School with violence. In order to save the students from their suffering, he defeats various powerful enemies and reforms the members of the gang.

■Explanation

This is an animated version of a passionate school action manga, with an original story by Kajiwara Ikki, known for works such as "Star of the Giants," and illustrations by Shoji Toshio. It was broadcast on a six-day calendar from Monday to Saturday (each episode was 10 minutes long), in an unconventional style in which one story was made up of six episodes. It is said that this format provided daily entertainment for viewers and heightened the sense of tension as the story unfolded. It was also an indispensable after-school entertainment for children at the time.

■Cast

・Tadaharu Akagi/Midori Kato/Yoko Mizunoe/Tomoko Watanabe/Teruo Aoki/Kiyoshi Komiyama

■ Main staff

・Original Story: Ikki Kajiwara, Toshio Shoji ・Planning: Kensuke Fujii ・Producer: Toru Ueno, Hiroshi Iwata ・Screenplay: Yoshiaki Yoshida, Shunichi Yukimuro, Tadaaki Yamazaki ・Direction: Renzo Kinoshita (first half), Yoshiyuki Tomino (second half)
・Audio direction / Kinzo Azusa ・Music / Akira Miyazaki, Toyotomi Masuda ・Sound effects / Takayoshi Ohira ・Editing / Kimiko Sawamura ・Sound recording / Taihei Studio ・Development / Toyo Development Studio ・Production / Nippon Television Network, Tokyo Television Animation

・Theme song・Opening theme
・"Sunset Banchou"
Lyrics: Keiko Ozonoe; Composition: Akira Miyazaki; Arrangement: Akira Miyazaki; Singer: Midori Kato

■ Main Characters

・The protagonist is Chuji Akagi. He is small but muscular, and because he grew up in the rugged mountains of Mount Akagi, he is good at fighting and sports. He is a strong friend, cheerful, and loves justice, but due to the trauma he experienced when he lost his parents, he loses his fighting spirit when he sees a sunset, which is his weakness.

Shuichi Aoki is a classmate of Chuji Akagi, and his nickname is "Intellectual". He is good at academics but not good at sports. He has a crush on Yoko Mizunoe.

Yoko Mizunoe Akagi's classmate. A smart and beautiful female student who excels in sports and has excellent grades. She has a crush on Akagi.

■Subtitle

Episode 1: Chuji Akagi Arrives (1968/10/01)
Episode 2: Friend or Foe?Episode 3: If You're a ManEpisode 4: Autumn, Sumo, DuelsEpisode 5: Kantaro's Travel DiaryEpisode 6: Mightier Than the Sword or the PenEpisode 7: Heartless WolfEpisode 8: I Can't LoseEpisode 9: Who's the Murderer in the DarkEpisode 10: The Murderer is at Hakua AcademyEpisode 11: You're the Dragon, I'm the TigerEpisode 12: I Can See the SunsetEpisode 13: The Famous Dog Boro Passes ByEpisode 14: Chuji Returns to His Hometown・Episode 15/Duel in the Kuroshio・Episode 16/The Scarred Beast・Episode 17/Flower of a Man・Episode 18/The Circus Boy・Episode 19/Sports Encouragement・Episode 20/Kickboxing Whirlwind・Episode 21/I Don't Want Tears・Episode 22/A Man among Men・Episode 23/The Endless Battle・Episode 24/Mother's Love・Episode 25/Calm Before the Storm・Episode 26/Where Are You Going, Chuji Akagi? (1969/03/29)

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・"Sunset Banchou"
Lyrics: Keiko Ozonoe; Composition: Akira Miyazaki; Arrangement: Akira Miyazaki; Singer: Midori Kato

The appeal and evaluation of "Yuyake Bancho"

"Yuyake Bancho" is a work that reflects Japanese society in the late 1960s, and was a symbol of youth for children at the time. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal and reviews of this work.

The thrill of a passionate school drama

"Yuyake Bancho" is a passionate school action drama that depicts the protagonist, Chuji Akagi, fighting against a group of delinquents and sticking to justice. Akagi's small stature but strong will, sense of justice, and the way he values ​​friendship moved viewers. In addition, his interactions with unique characters such as Shuichi Aoki and Yoko Mizunoe also livened up the story and drew viewers in.

A unique broadcast format

This work was broadcast for six consecutive days from Monday to Saturday, with one story being completed in one week. This allowed viewers to enjoy the development of the story on a daily basis, and immerse themselves in the story. This format was an essential after-school entertainment for children at the time.

The appeal of music

The theme song "Yuyake Bancho" was composed by Akira Miyazaki and sung by Midori Kato's powerful voice, and was loved by many people as a song that symbolized the passion of the work. The background music used in the movie also played an important role in enhancing the tension and emotion.

Character Appeal

The main character, Akagi Chuji, is portrayed as a small character with a strong will and a sense of justice. His strong friendships and cheerful personality resonated with viewers. The story is also enriched by Aoki Shuichi's intellectual side and Mizunoe Yoko's beauty and intelligence. The growth and interactions of these characters add to the appeal of the story.

Social background and influence of the work

In the late 1960s, Japan was in the midst of rapid economic growth, and society as a whole was full of vitality. However, at the same time, delinquent behavior and violence were becoming a problem among young people. "Yuyake Bancho" reflected this social background and was a work that depicted themes of justice and friendship, influencing many children. This work can also be said to be a precursor to later passionate school action dramas, and its influence can still be seen in anime and manga today.

Recommended points of "Yuyake Bancho"

"Yuyake Bancho" is still loved today as a monumental work of passionate school action. Below, I will list some points that make this work recommended.

The origins of passionate school action

"Yuyake Bancho" can be said to be the origin of hot-blooded school action dramas, and has influenced many works that followed. Akagi Chuji's sense of justice and his devotion to friendship moved viewers and earned him the love of many people. By watching this work, you will be able to rediscover the appeal of hot-blooded school action dramas.

A unique broadcast format

Broadcast for six consecutive days from Monday to Saturday, with one story completed in a week, the format provided daily entertainment for viewers. This format was an essential after-school entertainment for children at the time. By experiencing this format, which is different from modern anime, you will gain a new perspective.

The appeal of music

The theme song, "Yuyake Banchou," was loved by many people as a song that symbolizes the passion of the work. The background music used in the film also played an important role in enhancing the tension and emotion. By experiencing the charm of this music, you will be able to immerse yourself more deeply in the world of the work.

Character Appeal

The growth and interactions of unique characters such as Chuji Akagi, Shuichi Aoki, and Yoko Mizunoe add to the appeal of the story. Through these characters, viewers will be able to reaffirm the importance of friendship and justice. Their stories of growth will also move viewers and warm their hearts.

Social background and influence of the work

"Yuyake Bancho," which reflects Japanese society in the late 1960s, influenced many children. This work can also be said to be a precursor to later passionate school action dramas, and its influence can be seen in current anime and manga. By watching this work, you will be able to understand the social background of the time and the influence of the work, allowing you to enjoy it more deeply.

Conclusion

"Yuyake Bancho" is a work that continues to be loved even today as a monumental work of passionate school action drama. Its unique broadcast format, appealing music, the growth story of the characters, and the story that reflects the social background have touched viewers and been loved by many people. By watching this work, you will be able to rediscover the origins of passionate school action dramas and reaffirm the importance of friendship and justice. Please give "Yuyake Bancho" a watch and experience its charm.