The appeal and evaluation of "Adventure Koropokkuru": A must-read review for fans

Adventure Koropokkuru - Looking back on classic anime

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

novel

■ Broadcast period

Broadcast every Saturday from October 6, 1973 to March 30, 1974 from 19:00 to 19:30

■Broadcasting station

Yomiuri TV/Nippon TV

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 26

■Original Story

Written by Satoru Sato, illustrated by Tsutomu Murakami, from "The Tale of Koropokkuru" (published by Kodansha)

■ Production

Planning and production: Yomiuri TV, Eiken

■Works

© Satoru Sato, Tsutomu Murakami/Kodansha, Eiken

■ Story

Beneath the leaves of the butterbur tree, small gods called Koropokkuru live. However, no modern human believes in their existence. Frustrated by this, the three Koropokkuru, Bokkuru, Kusukusu, and Lovelove, head to the city to try to recruit human children as their minions. There, they meet Seitaka, a kind-hearted boy who can recognize the Koropokkuru. Before long, Seitaka and the Koropokkuru become friends, and strange events begin to occur one after another around them...

■Explanation

This is a television anime based on the children's literature "Koropokkuru Monogatari" (published by Kodansha) by Sato Satoru and Murakami Tsutomu, and is the first work produced by the company since changing its name from TCJ Animation Center to Eiken.
This was the second work sponsored by Sumitomo Life Insurance, following "Ryuichi Manga Theater: The Piggyback Ghost," and during the broadcast period, comic book adaptations were serialized in Kodansha's children's magazines "TV Magazine" and "Otomodachi."

■Cast

・Bockle/Yasushi Suzuki ・Kusukusu/Shinpei Sakamoto ・Love Love/Noriko Obara ・Seitaka (Ichiro Minekawa)/Satoshi Hasegawa

■ Main staff

・Original story/writing: Sato Satoru, illustrations: Murakami Tsutomu, based on "Koropokkuru Monogatari" (published by Kodansha) ・Screenplay: Shiroyama Noboru, Takahashi Minoru, Matsumoto Chikara, Yukimuro Shunichi, and others ・Character design, chief animator: Kobayashi Katsutoshi ・Art director: Osumi Toshihiro ・Music: Bob Sakuma

■ Main Characters

・Bokkuru The leader of the Koropokkuru. He has a mischievous but brave personality.
・Although he has a bit of a cynical air about him, he is kind and strong.
・The only girl in the trio of Koropokkuru, she is a loving, chic, and tomboyish girl.
・Seitaka (Ichiro Minekawa)
A kind-hearted human boy who can see the Koropokkuru. A sixth grade elementary school student.

■ Theme songs and music

・OP
・"Riding the White Wind"
Lyrics by Hiroko Muto, Music by Hiroshi Tsutsui, Vocals by Peggy Hayama, Ending Theme
・"Adventure Koropokkuru"
Lyrics by Hiroko Muto, Music by Hiroshi Tsutsui, Singer by Peggy Hayama

■Detailed evaluation and recommendation

■ Background and production secrets of the work

"Adventure Koropokkuru" is a Japanese anime television series that aired from 1973 to 1974, and is based on the children's book "Koropokkuru Monogatari" by Sato Satoru and Murakami Tsutomu. This work was the first anime produced by TCJ Animation Center after the company changed its name to Eiken, and it had a great impact on children at the time. At the time of production, Sumitomo Life Insurance was a sponsor, and comic book adaptations were serialized in Kodansha's children's magazines "TV Magazine" and "Otomodachi" during the broadcast period, and it was developed in a wide range of media.

Behind the scenes, character designer and chief animator Kobayashi Katsutoshi played a major role. His unique touch and the appeal of the characters further enhanced the work. Also, Bob Sakuma, who was in charge of the music, was known as a pioneer of children's anime music at the time, and there is no doubt that his music added depth to the story. Furthermore, with the help of veteran screenwriters such as Shiroyama Noboru, Takahashi Minoru, Matsumoto Chikara, and Yukimuro Shunichi, the story firmly captured the hearts of children.

■ Story and Theme

The story of "Adventure Koropokkuru" begins when the Koropokkuru, little gods living under butterbur leaves, venture out into the human world and become friends with a kind-hearted boy named Seitaka. The Koropokkuru are dissatisfied with the fact that modern humans no longer believe in their existence, and head to the city to recruit human children as minions. However, Seitaka, who they meet there, is able to recognize the Koropokkuru, and by becoming friends with them, they embark on various adventures.

The theme of this work is "friendship" and "faith." Seitaka's friendship with the Koropokkuru has unwavering strength even in difficult situations, and this is at the heart of the story. Seitaka's faith in the Koropokkuru also influences other people who cannot see them, illustrating the importance of faith. This theme resonated deeply with children at the time, and the work created many fans.

■Character Analysis

Bockle is the leader of the Koropokkuru, and has a mischievous but courageous personality. As the narrator of the story, he has the power to draw the viewer in. Kusukusu is a bit of a airhead, but he is kind-hearted and strong, and is the mood-maker for the Koropokkuru. Love-Love is fashionable and tomboyish, and as the only girl in the trio of Koropokkuru, she adds color to the story. And Seitaka is a kind-hearted boy who can see the Koropokkuru, and his purity and kindness are at the heart of the story.

Although these characters all have different personalities, they are portrayed supporting each other and growing together. In particular, the relationship between Seitaka and the Koropokkuru symbolizes the depth of friendship and the importance of faith, making it an inspiring element for viewers.

■Music and theme songs

The music for "Adventure Koropokkuru" was written by Bob Sakuma, whose unique sensibility permeates the entire series. Both the opening theme "Ride the White Wind" and the ending theme "Adventure Koropokkuru" are sung by Peggy Hayama, whose clear voice enhances the worldview of the story. In particular, the opening theme "Ride the White Wind" captured the hearts of viewers with its refreshing melody that makes one feel as if an adventure is about to begin.

The ending theme, "Adventures of Koropokkuru," is a heartwarming song that looks back on the adventures of the Koropokkuru, leaving viewers with a lingering impression of the story. These theme songs were very popular among children at the time, and there are stories of many fans who remembered the lyrics.

■Animation and Art

The animation of "Adventure Koropokkuru" is highlighted by the character design and skill of Kobayashi Katsutoshi as chief animator. The characters he draws are cute and unique, making a strong impression on viewers. Art director Osumi Toshihiro's art is also superb, depicting the natural world in which the story takes place beautifully.

In particular, the world under the butterbur leaves where the Koropokkuru live and the contrast with the human world are skillfully expressed, enhancing the visual appeal of the work as a whole. The quality of the animation and art was highly praised for a children's anime at the time, and it deeply moved viewers.

■ Social impact and evaluation

"Adventure Koropokkuru" was highly praised when it was first broadcast, and is loved by many children. In particular, the story, which has as its theme friendship and faith, deeply touched viewers and created many fans. It is also known as a sponsored work by Sumitomo Life Insurance, and during the broadcast period, a comic book adaptation was serialized in Kodansha's children's magazine, and it was also widely distributed in a wide range of media, which had a major impact.

Furthermore, this was Aiken's first production, and it had a major influence on his subsequent animation work. It was highly praised for its character design, music, storytelling, and many other aspects, and it can be said that this work played a role in raising the standard of children's animation at the time.

■ Recommendations and how to watch

"Adventure Koropokkuru" is a masterpiece anime that combines a touching story about friendship and faith with charming characters, beautiful animation and music. It is especially highly acclaimed as an anime for children, and it left a deep impression on children at the time. It can still be viewed on DVD and online today, and is a work that can be recommended to a wide range of generations, from adults who want to feel nostalgic to children watching it for the first time.

The most common way to watch it is to buy the DVD or use an internet video streaming service. In particular, you can watch this work on services such as Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, so if you are interested, please check them out. Also, some episodes are sometimes available on video sharing sites such as YouTube, so it may be worth checking those out as well.

■ Summary

"Adventure Koropokkuru" is a heartwarming anime based on the children's book by Sato Satoru and Murakami Tsutomu. With a story on themes of friendship and faith, charming characters, and beautiful animation and music, this work deeply touched children at the time and created many fans. This work can still be viewed today, and is a classic anime that can be recommended to a wide range of generations, from adults who want to feel nostalgic to children watching it for the first time. We hope you will watch it and experience its charm.