The appeal and reviews of Microid S: An anime experience not to be missed

Microid S - The appeal of Tezuka Osamu's SF anime and its background

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

April 7, 1973 - October 6, 1973 Every Saturday 20:30-21:00

■Broadcasting station

NET

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 26

■Original Story

Osamu Tezuka

■ Production

NET TV, Toei

■Works

©Tezuka Productions, Toei Animation

■ Story

Gidron, an insect that has evolved abnormally, begins an invasion of human society with scientific knowledge and fearsome weaponry. The three boys are given the ability to be miniaturized and the fighting power to harness the characteristics of insects, and together with Manabu Midorichi, who learns of Gidron's existence, they rise up to protect the future of mankind.

■Explanation

A science fiction anime based on a story by Osamu Tezuka. A manga version was also serialized by Osamu Tezuka himself at almost the same time as the anime began airing. It has a heavy theme in which the main characters are being remodeled by an enemy organization, but unlike the manga version, this work emphasizes the hero aspect. Due to circumstances at the broadcasting station, there are two versions, a 26-minute version and a 30-minute version.

■Cast

・Dragonfly / Makio Inoue ・Swallowtail / Hiroko Suzuki ・Elephant / Machiko Soga ・Manabu Mitoro / Masako Nozawa

■ Main staff

・Original story/Osamu Tezuka・Planning/Yoshifumi Hatano・Screenplay/Masaki Tsuji・Direction/Masayuki Akehi, Hiroshi Shitara, Osamu Kasai・Chief animation directors/Hiroshi Wagatsuma, Toshio Mori, Masamune Ochiai・Art/Hidenobu Hata, Fumihiro Uchikawa, Geki Katsumata・Music/Go Misawa・Producer/Shinichi Miyazaki・Production/NET TV, Toei

Theme song

Key station version (no ED)
OP1
"Microid S"
Lyrics by Yu Aku, Music by Go Misawa, Song by Young Stars

OP2
"It's a dragonfly, a swallowtail butterfly, and a bean elephant."
Lyrics by Yu Aku, Music by Go Misawa, Song by Young Stars


Local Station Version
OP
"Microid S"
Lyrics by Yu Aku, Music by Go Misawa, Song by Young Stars

ED
"It's a dragonfly, a swallowtail butterfly, and a bean elephant."
Lyrics by Yu Aku, Music by Go Misawa, Song by Young Stars

■ Main Characters

A Microid with the characteristics of a dragonfly. Its special move is a destructive ray that shoots from the sphere on its helmet.

- A butterfly microid with the ability to detect swallowtail dragons.

- He has the abilities of a beetle and is skilled at electric shock attacks.

■Subtitle

Episode 1: My friends! Freedom...
Episode 2: Challenge from the UndergroundEpisode 3: Gyrol's Song is a Song of SorrowEpisode 4: Sleep! Warrior of LoveEpisode 5: Creeping Cleo: The Collapsing CityEpisode 6: Poisonous Spiders Dancing in the DarkEpisode 7: The Secret of the Burning MayflyEpisode 8: Beautiful Maiden: The Battle of Light and DarkEpisode 9: Puppeteer Zemiru's Desperate MamezoEpisode 10: Mad at Dogura's VisionEpisode 11: Shining Bun Akatsuki's TransformationEpisode 12: Escape on the LakeEpisode 13: Who's Mad?Episode 14: Fighting the Last Mountain Man LogoEpisode 15: Dragonfly's Journey in Search of MemoriesEpisode 16: Oh, My Teacher NoraculaEpisode 17: Robot Jellyfish Swims in the Kuroshio CurrentEpisode 18: Mamezou is a FreshmanEpisode 19: Fear! Bablo's Bubbles・Episode 20/Goodbye Fairy Maimai・Episode 21/Biriko's Hard Work・Episode 22/Bigger and the Loveable Monsters・Episode 23/Mamezou's Demon Slaying・Episode 24/Friendship Burns with Fire・Episode 25/The Path to Micro, the Path of Destruction・Episode 26/Gidron vs. Us Humans

Microid S - The appeal of Tezuka Osamu's SF anime and its background

There are many works that bear the name of Tezuka Osamu, but among them, "Microid S" has a unique presence. This work, which was broadcast in 1973, is a science fiction anime genre story in which heroes with insect motifs play an active role. I would like to delve deeper into this work, which intertwines Tezuka Osamu's unique worldview with the social background of the time.

Tezuka Osamu's science fiction worldview

Tezuka Osamu is a writer who loved the science fiction genre and continued to explore its possibilities. His works, which have produced many masterpieces such as "Astro Boy" and "Black Jack," share a common theme of questioning the progress of science and technology and human ethics. "Microid S" can also be said to play a part in this.

In this work, the insect Ghidron, which has undergone an abnormal evolution, is depicted as a threat to humanity. This seems to reflect the anxiety felt at the time about the Cold War structure and the rapid development of science and technology. Tezuka Osamu was always aware of the possibilities and dangers brought about by the progress of science and technology, and continued to ask how humans should live in this environment. This perspective is strongly reflected in "Microid S."

The Charm of Microids

The protagonists of "Microid S" are three boys with the characteristics of insects: Dragonfly, Swallowtail, and Mamezou. They are given the ability to be micronized and fighting powers by Gidron, and fight to protect humanity. Each character's personality and abilities are distinct, and they have a charm that draws viewers in.

Yanma is a microid with the characteristics of a dragonfly, and his special move is a destructive ray that he fires from the sphere on his helmet. This character is portrayed as a brave boy with leadership skills, making a strong impression on viewers. Ageha is a butterfly microid with the ability to detect gidrons, and plays an important role in protecting his friends. Mamezou is a character with the abilities of a beetle, who excels at electric attacks, and who also has a comical side. The story woven by these characters provides viewers with moving and exciting moments.

Story development and themes

The story of "Microid S" begins with the premise that an abnormally evolved insect called Ghidron is invading humanity. The main characters, along with Manabu Midorichi, who learns of the existence of Ghidron, rise up to protect the future of humanity. This story is not only a science fiction anime, but also has strong elements of a hero story.

Each episode depicts the protagonists fighting against a new threat from Ghidron. Episode 1, "My Friends! Freedom...", depicts the first time Yanma and his friends confront Ghidron, while episode 26, "Ghidron vs. Us Humans", depicts the final battle. Through these episodes, the protagonists' growth and friendship are depicted, leaving viewers in awe.

The theme of this work is also one that questions the progress of science and technology and human ethics. Ghidron threatens humanity with his scientific power and terrifying weapons, and the protagonists fight to protect the future of humanity. This theme can also be seen in other works by Osamu Tezuka, and it can be said that his philosophy is reflected in it.

Background and influences

"Microid S" was produced by NET TV and Toei. It was broadcast for six months from April 7 to October 6, 1973, in a 30-minute time slot every Saturday from 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. Due to the circumstances of the broadcasting station, it has the unique feature that there are two versions, a 26-minute version and a 30-minute version.

The original work was written by Osamu Tezuka, who also serialized a manga version of the work himself at almost the same time as the anime began airing. The anime and manga versions share a heavy theme in that the main characters are being remodeled by an enemy organization, but the anime version emphasizes the hero element. This can be said to be a production policy that took into consideration the audience of the time.

"Microid S" is a work that has a unique presence among Osamu Tezuka's sci-fi anime, and its influence can be seen in later works. The exploits of the insect-themed heroes gave viewers a fresh surprise and expanded the possibilities of sci-fi anime.

Cast and crew

The cast of "Microid S" includes popular voice actors of the time, such as Makio Inoue as Yanma, Hiroko Suzuki as Ageha, Machiko Soga as Mamezou, and Masako Nozawa as Midori Manabu. The performances of these voice actors are an important element in bringing out the charm of the characters.

The main staff included creators who were leading the industry at the time, such as the original author Tezuka Osamu, planner Yoshifumi Hatano, scriptwriter Masaki Tsuji, directors Masayuki Akehi, Hiroshi Shitara, and Osamu Kasai, animation directors Hiroshi Wagatsuma, Toshio Mori, and Masamune Ochiai, art directors Hidenobu Hata, Fumihiro Uchikawa, and Geki Katsumata, music director Go Misawa, and producer Shinichi Miyazaki. It can be said that "Microid S" was completed with the combined efforts of these staff members.

Theme song and music

There are two versions of the theme song for "Microid S", a key station version and a local station version. The key station version uses the OP1 "Microid S" and the OP2 "Yanma Da Ageha Da Mamezou Da", while the local station version uses the OP "Microid S" and the ED "Yanma Da Ageha Da Mamezou Da". These theme songs were written by Aku Yuu (lyrics), Misawa Go (music), and sung by the Young Stars, and are important elements that add excitement to the worldview of the work.

The film's music was composed by Go Misawa, who brings out the tension and emotion in each episode. It can be said that Go Misawa's music helps to further deepen Tezuka Osamu's sci-fi worldview.

Subtitles and episodes

The subtitles of "Microid S" symbolize the content of each episode. There are 26 episodes in the series, from episode 1 "Friends! Freedom..." to episode 26 "Gidron vs. Us Humans." These episodes depict the battle against Gidron and the growth of the main characters, providing viewers with excitement and emotion.

The content of each episode is centered on the protagonists as they fight against the new threat of Gidron. Episode 3, "Giror's Song is a Song of Sorrow," reveals the sad past of Giror, a member of Gidron, and episode 15, "Yama's Journey in Search of Memories," depicts Yanma's past and growth. Through these episodes, the humanity and friendship of the protagonists are explored in depth, leaving viewers in awe.

Message to viewers

"Microid S" is a work that combines Osamu Tezuka's sci-fi worldview with the social background of the time, and the growth and friendship of the protagonists depicted in the work will move and excite the viewer. The work has a theme that questions the progress of science and technology and human ethics, and will encourage deep reflection in the viewer.

The appeal of this series lies in the exploits of the insect-themed heroes and the tension and excitement of each episode. Viewers will be touched by the exploits of Yanma, Ageha, and Mamezou, and will be moved by their efforts to protect the future of humanity in the battle against Gidron.

"Microid S" has a unique presence among Osamu Tezuka's science fiction anime, and its influence can be seen in later works. By watching this work, viewers will be able to gain a deeper understanding of Osamu Tezuka's ideas and the possibilities of science fiction anime. I hope that viewers will have the opportunity to think deeply about the progress of science and technology and human ethics through this work.

Recommendations and ratings

"Microid S" is a work that has a unique presence among Osamu Tezuka's science fiction anime, and its charm will provide viewers with excitement and emotion. The exploits of the insect-themed heroes and the tension and excitement of each episode will leave a deep impression on viewers.

This work has a theme that questions the progress of science and technology and human ethics, and encourages deep reflection in the viewer. I strongly recommend watching this work in order to gain a deeper understanding of Tezuka Osamu's ideas and the potential of science fiction anime. I hope that viewers will use this work as an opportunity to think deeply about the progress of science and technology and human ethics.

"Microid S" has a unique presence among Osamu Tezuka's science fiction anime, and its influence can be seen in later works. By watching this work, viewers will be able to gain a deeper understanding of Osamu Tezuka's ideas and the possibilities of science fiction anime. I hope that viewers will have the opportunity to think deeply about the progress of science and technology and human ethics through this work.