"That Guy": A moving story and music fused together through everyone's songs

"Aitsu" - Looking back on NHK's classic anime

Japanese animation from the 1970s laid the foundations for a cultural phenomenon that would spread across the world in the decades that followed. One of those works, "Aitsu," broadcast on NHK Educational TV (now NHK E-Tele), was a short but powerful piece that left a lasting impression on viewers. In this article, we explore the details of "Aitsu," its appeal, and why it continues to be beloved to this day.

Overview

"Aitsu" is an animated work that was broadcast on NHK Educational TV in February 1970. It succeeded in conveying a profound message to viewers in a short two-minute time slot with only one episode. Although the original work is listed as "other," it is unique in that it is an original work with no specific original work. It was produced with illustrations by Noda Shuuichirou and animation by Gendai Seisaku Group. The copyright is held by NHK.

Story and Themes

The story of "That Guy" is very simple. A boy encounters a being called "That Guy" while playing with his friends. "That Guy" has no concrete form and symbolizes the fear and anxiety the boy feels. This short animation was intended to teach children how to deal with emotions such as "fear" and "anxiety."

The main theme of the film is how to deal with fear and anxiety. As the boy confronts "that guy" and ultimately overcomes it, viewers are given the courage to face their own emotions. This theme resonates with adults as well as children, and has deeply moved many viewers.

character

The main characters in "Aitsu" are a boy and "That Guy." The boy is depicted as an ordinary young boy, and is a character onto which viewers can easily project themselves. Meanwhile, "That Guy" is an entity without a concrete form, and an abstract design is used to express visual horror. This character setting allows viewers to superimpose their own fears and anxieties onto "That Guy."

Animation and Music

The animation for "Aitsu" was produced by Gendai Seisaku Group. In order to maximize the visual impact in the short two-minute length of the film, attention was paid to color and movement. In particular, in the "Aitsu" scene, the dark tones and eerie movements emphasize the sense of fear. In addition, Noda Shuichiro's drawings are drawn with a touch that is familiar to children, and have the power to draw the viewers' hearts.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of "Aitsu." Produced as part of the NHK "Minna no Uta" series, music and animation work together to convey a message to the viewer. The songs intertwine melodies that symbolize fear and anxiety with melodies that evoke hope and courage, stirring the emotions of the viewer.

Broadcast and influence

"Aitsu" was broadcast on NHK Educational TV in February 1970. Although it was only two minutes long, it had a big impact and was loved by many viewers. It was used as a teaching material for children to face their fears and anxieties, and was even featured in school education.

The influence of this work can be seen not only at the time of broadcast, but also in subsequent animated works. There are many works that deal with themes of fear and anxiety, but there are few works that convey a deep message in such a short time as "Aitsu", and it can be said to be a pioneer in this field. In addition, since it was produced as part of NHK's "Minna no Uta" series, it became a catalyst for spreading a new method of expression, the fusion of music and animation.

Recognition and Awards

"Aitsu" was highly praised from the time it was broadcast. It was especially praised for its excellent content as an educational program for children, and was well received by many viewers. The animation technique and the quality of the music were also highly praised, and the show attracted attention within the industry. Although we cannot confirm any specific awards it has received, there is no doubt that it was highly praised as an NHK educational program.

How to watch and recommendations

"Aitsu" is now available to watch on the NHK official website and video streaming services. Parents and educators can watch this film to teach their children how to face fear and anxiety. It is also worth a watch for anyone interested in animation and music.

The reasons for recommending it are as follows:

• It has the power to convey a profound message in a short space of time.
• Has educational value in teaching children how to deal with fears and anxieties
• Experience a new form of expression that combines animation and music
• Learn about Japanese animation culture in the 1970s

summary

"That Guy" is a short but powerful animated film that was broadcast on NHK Educational TV in 1970. It succeeded in conveying a profound message to children on the theme of facing fear and anxiety. It adopted a new method of expression, fusing animation and music, and left a strong impact on viewers. This work continues to be loved by many viewers even today, and is worth a watch for parents with children, educators, and those interested in animation and music. Please watch this work and learn to have the courage to face fear and anxiety.