Sanshiro Beni: A look into the appeal of vivid characters and deep story

"Kurenai Sanshiro": A hot-blooded action film about a crimson fighter racing around the world

"Kurenai Sanshiro", which aired in 1969, is a TV anime series produced by Tatsunoko Productions, and is centered around fighting action. Written by Yoshida Tatsuo and directed by Kuri Ippei, the 26 episodes were broadcast on Fuji TV every Wednesday from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. The anime is original, and is characterized by a story about a journey to find the man who killed his father, and a variety of fighting scenes.

story

The protagonist, Sanshiro Beni, is a young man who inherited the new martial art "Kouryuu" founded by his father. He sets out on a journey on his crimson motorcycle to track down the mysterious fighter who killed his father in a duel. Together with Kenbo, a boy who adores Sanshiro, and his beloved dog Boke, the journey begins around the world in search of his enemy. Clad in a bright red gi, Sanshiro is depicted fighting powerful foes one after another with his deadly Kuryuu technique.

Commentary

"Kurenai Sanshiro" is a fighting action film about a young fighter named Kurenai Sanshiro, clad in a crimson judo uniform, who travels the world in search of his father's murderer and engages in deadly combat with other fighters. Fighters with superhuman skills and assassins who use weapons appear one after another, and the highlight of the film is the diverse fighting scenes. This work can be said to be a pioneer in the development of a new genre of fighting action in the world of Japanese animation in the late 1960s.

cast

• Sanshiro Beni: Ikuo Nishikawa
• Kenbo: Raimon Kenbo
• Boke: Hiroshi Otake
• Narrator: Kenji Utsumi

Main Staff

• Original author: Tatsuo Yoshida
• Planning: Jinzo Chokai
• Music: Nobuyoshi Koshibe, Music Planning Center
• Producer: Kenji Yoshida
• General Director: Ippei Kuri
• Produced by: Tatsunoko Productions

Main Characters

• Sanshiro Beni: A young fighter who uses the "Kouryu" fighting style invented by his father.
• Kenbo: A boy who adores Sanshiro and travels with him.
• Boke: Kenbo's pet dog.

subtitle

• Episode 1: The Crimson Storm
• Episode 2: The Skyscraper's One Eye
• Episode 3: The Nekoma Tribe's Challenge
• Episode 4: Burning Plains
• Episode 5: The Wild Wild
• Episode 6: The Deadly Crimson Cross
• Episode 7: Sea Tiger (Harimao)
• Episode 8: The Demonic Superhuman Machine
• Episode 9: The Silver Showdown
• Episode 10: The Phantom One-Eyed Emperor
• Episode 11: Warriors of Kilimanjaro
• Episode 12: Duel in the Sunset
• Episode 13: Kurenai Escape Plan
• Episode 14: The Killer Olympics
• Episode 15: The Dog's Desperate Revenge
• Episode 16: Sanshiro in Hell
• Episode 17: The One-Eyed Demon General
• Episode 18: Open the Graveyard
• Episode 19: The Reward of Betrayal
• Episode 20: One-eyed White Tiger, Part 1
• Episode 21: The One-Eyed White Tiger, Part 2
• Episode 22: Magma Flow
• Episode 23: Sanshiro in a desperate situation
• Episode 24: The Secret of Tenchi Kuzushi
• Episode 25: The Ape-Man Killing Method
• Episode 26: Secret Sword Beautiful Girl

Theme songs and music

• OP1: Sanshiro Beni
  • Lyricist: Shinichi Sekizawa
  • Composer: Nobuyoshi Koshibe
  • Vocals: Katsuhiko Miki
• OP2: Sanshiro Beni
  • Lyricist: Toshio Oka
  • Composer: Kanae Wada
  • Vocals: Mitsuko Horie
• ED1: Man's Wilderness
  • Lyricist: Shinichi Sekizawa
  • Composer: Nobuyoshi Koshibe
  • Vocals: Katsuhiko Miki
• ED2: Man in the Sunset
  • Lyricist: Toshio Oka
  • Composer: Kanae Wada
  • Vocals: Yuri Shimazaki

Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Kurenai Sanshiro" was a very innovative work in the fighting action genre. It left a strong impression on viewers by depicting the protagonist, Kurenai Sanshiro, donning a crimson judo uniform and going on a journey to find his father's murderer. In addition, the diverse fighting scenes and the appearance of enemy characters with superhuman skills were elements that drew viewers in.

The appeal of this series lies above all in the character of Beni Sanshiro and his "Kurei" fighting technique. By depicting Sanshiro's strong will and passion, as well as his bond with Kenbou and Boke, viewers will empathize with his journey and want to root for him. In addition, a different formidable enemy appears in each episode, and the fighting methods and backgrounds of those enemies are depicted in detail, allowing viewers to experience new excitement every time.

In terms of music, the theme songs and insert songs of "Kurenai Sanshiro" play an important role in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. The powerful voices of singers such as Katsuhiko Miki, Mitsuko Horie, and Yuri Shimazaki captured the hearts of viewers. In addition, the compositions by Nobuyoshi Koshibe and Kanae Wada have succeeded in further deepening the worldview of the work.

Influence and Evaluation of the Work

"Sanshiro Beni" can be said to be a pioneering work that developed the new fighting action genre in the world of Japanese animation in the late 1960s. The success of this work had a major impact on the development of fighting action anime in the future. It is also regarded as an example of the evolution of Tatsunoko Productions' production techniques and storytelling.

The show was well received by viewers, with many expressing sympathy for the character of Benishiro and his journey. The fight scenes in each episode and the individuality of the enemy characters were also highly praised, and were elements that drew viewers in. Furthermore, the theme songs and insert songs were also very popular, contributing to deepening the worldview of the work.

Recommendations and related works

If you enjoyed "Kurenai Sanshiro," we also recommend the following works. These works also focus on fighting action, and are sure to leave a strong impression on viewers.

• "Tiger Mask": A fighting action anime produced by Tatsunoko Productions. The main character fights as a professional wrestler to protect an orphanage.
• "Kinnikuman": A work that combines humor and fighting action. It depicts superhumans fighting various battles.
• "Fist of the North Star": A work that depicts the protagonist fighting using martial arts in a devastated world. It features an epic storyline and intense fighting scenes.

"Kurenai Sanshiro" is a work that leaves a strong impression on viewers in the fighting action genre. The strong will and passion of the main character, Kurenai Sanshiro, as well as the diverse fighting scenes and music, are elements that draw viewers in. If you enjoyed this work, we also recommend "Tiger Mask," "Kinnikuman," and "Fist of the North Star," which are also centered around fighting action. These works are sure to leave a strong impression on viewers.