A thorough review of "We Are the Salarymen"! A realistic portrayal of office life and humor

"We Are the Salarymen Party": A classic anime depicting the salaryman culture of the Showa era

"Warera Salaryman To" is a Japanese anime television series that aired from 1970 to 1971. The series is based on the manga of the same name by Yoshiji Suzuki, and is known for its humorous portrayal of the salaryman culture of the Showa era. It aired from October 7, 1970 to March 22, 1971, with a total of 26 episodes. It was broadcast on CX (now Fuji Television), with each episode lasting just four minutes. It was directed and produced by Washizu Tomio, and produced by P-Pros.

Background of the original work and anime adaptation

The original work, "We Are the Salarymen Party," is a manga by Suzuki Yoshiji that was serialized from the late 1960s to the early 1970s. During this period, the Japanese economy was experiencing rapid growth, and the lives of salarymen began to attract attention. Suzuki Yoshiji's humorous portrayal of the customs of the time and the daily lives of salarymen won him the support of many readers. In particular, the story's clever incorporation of social satire, as well as its depiction of interpersonal relationships at work and the balance between family and family life, resonated with salarymen of the time.

It was against this background that the decision was made to turn it into an anime. In the early 1970s, television animation had just begun to take hold in the anime industry, and works aimed at children were the norm. However, "Warera Salaryman To" was a new attempt to broadcast content aimed at adults and in a short time slot. This could also be seen as part of the strategy of television stations at the time to attract a diverse audience.

Story and Characters

The story of "We Are the Salarymen Party" revolves around the protagonist, a salaryman named Yamada Taro. Yamada Taro is portrayed as a typical salaryman, and the stories humorously depict his work at the office, his relationship with his boss, and his life at home with his wife and children. Each episode is a standalone episode, and deals with a different theme or issue.

Besides Yamada Taro, the main characters include his boss, his section chief, and his fellow office workers. At home, his wife Yamada Hanako and their children also play important roles. The relationships and everyday events woven by these characters provide viewers with laughter and empathy.

Anime characteristics and reviews

The biggest features of "Warera Salaryman To" are its humor and social satire. Each episode is broadcast in a short time slot, so the story is simple and easy to understand, and viewers can quickly understand it. It also includes elements that make viewers think by skillfully incorporating social issues and customs of the time.

The animation reflects the technical standards of the time, and while simple, the characters' expressions and movements are richly depicted. Yamada Taro's facial expressions and gestures in particular express his personality and feelings well, making him easy for viewers to relate to.

It was highly praised by viewers at the time, and is said to have been especially popular among office workers. It also influenced later anime works, and is praised as a work that depicts the office worker culture of the Showa era. However, some people say that due to the constraints of broadcasting in a short time slot, the story's depth and character development were not sufficiently depicted.

Production staff and production company

Washizu Tomio, who directed and produced "We Are the Salarymen Party," was one of the directors active in the TV anime industry at the time. His direction skillfully incorporated humor and social satire, providing viewers with elements to laugh and think about. P-Pros, which produced the show, was a well-known TV anime production company at the time and had worked on many productions. P-Pros' production staff succeeded in creating a work that viewers could enjoy within the constraints of a short broadcast time slot.

Broadcast and viewership

"Warera Salaryman Tou" was broadcast on CX (now Fuji TV). It aired every Wednesday night, with each episode lasting just four minutes. Broadcasting in such a short time slot was rare for TV anime at the time, and was a new attempt.

Although no specific figures have been released regarding the show's viewing ratings, it certainly enjoyed high support from viewers at the time. It was especially popular among office workers, who are said to have sympathized with the humorous stories that depicted their everyday lives and worries. Even after the show ended, it was rebroadcast and made into video software, and it continued to be loved by viewers in later generations.

Impact and Evaluation

"We Are the Salarymen" has influenced subsequent anime works as a work depicting the salaryman culture of the Showa era. In particular, the story, which skillfully incorporates humor and social satire, resonated with many viewers and was used as a reference for subsequent works. In addition, the novel attempt of broadcasting in a short time slot also influenced the television anime industry in the future, and was praised as a strategy for attracting a diverse audience.

It was highly praised by viewers at the time, and is said to have been especially popular among office workers. It also influenced later anime works, and is praised as a work that depicts the office worker culture of the Showa era. However, some people say that due to the constraints of broadcasting in a short time slot, the story's depth and character development were not sufficiently depicted.

Recommendations and related works

The reason I recommend "Warera Salaryman To" is because of its humor, social satire, and the story that depicts the salaryman culture of the Showa era. I would especially recommend this work to people who work as salarymen or are interested in the background of the Showa era. Also, the new attempt of broadcasting in a short time slot is interesting, and it is valuable in learning about the history of TV animation.

Related works include "Salaryman Kintaro" and "Sazae-san," which also depict the salaryman culture of the Showa era. These works also skillfully incorporate humor and social satire, providing viewers with something to laugh at and think about. The new attempt to broadcast in a short time slot is also interesting, and is worth knowing about the history of television anime.

summary

"We Are the Salarymen" is a masterpiece anime that humorously depicts the salaryman culture of the Showa era. The novel attempt of broadcasting in a short time slot was interesting, providing viewers with something to laugh at and think about. This is a work that is especially recommended for people who work as salarymen and those who are interested in the background of the Showa era. It also influenced later anime works, making it valuable for learning about the history of television anime. Please give it a watch.