The appeal and evaluation of the 1975 version of "The Railroad Continues Forever"

"The Railroad Continues Forever" - Appeal and Evaluation of the 1975 Edition

Introduction

Broadcast on NHK Educational TV in 1975, "The Railroad Continues Forever" is one of the classic anime that continues to be loved by children. This work was produced as part of NHK's "Minna no Uta" series, and in just two minutes, it delivered a profound message and beautiful images. This article will take a detailed look at the background of this work, the behind-the-scenes story of its production, the reaction of viewers, and its subsequent influence. It will also introduce viewing methods and related information to maximize the appeal of the work.

Overview

"The Railroad Continues Forever" was broadcast on NHK Educational TV (now NHK E-Tele) in August 1975. It is a short animation of just one episode, two minutes long, but its content is very deep and has touched a wide audience, from children to adults. It was produced by animator Takekatsu Kikuta, and the copyright is held by NHK.

Broadcast information

• Media : TV anime series
• Original Media : Other
• Broadcast period : August 1975
• Broadcasting station : NHK Educational TV (NHK E-Tele)
• Duration : 2 minutes
• Episode number : 1
• Produced by : Takekatsu Kikuta
• Copyright : ©NHK

Story and Themes

"The Railroad Continues Forever" revolves around the lyrics "The Railroad Continues Forever" sung by children against the backdrop of a train running. The story follows the train as it moves, depicting the children's dreams, hopes, and expectations for the future. The train journey is likened to the journey of life, and the endless railroad tracks symbolize the infinite possibilities of children.

The theme of this work is "dreams" and "hope." The lyrics sung by the children give the viewer courage to overcome their anxieties and difficulties about the future, conveying a positive message to the audience. The scenery with the train running through it depicts the beauty of nature and human activities, allowing viewers to enjoy both visual beauty and a profound message at the same time.

Behind the Scenes

The production of "The Railroad Continues Forever" was part of NHK's "Minna no Uta" series. "Minna no Uta" is known as an educational program for children, and has produced many classic anime. This work is one of them, and many staff members were involved in its production.

Animator Takekatsu Kikuta aimed to depict the world from a child's perspective when creating this work. The scenery of the train running was based on actual footage, fusing realistic depiction with the beauty of animation. He also paid particular attention to the timing of the images and music to bring out the message of the lyrics to the fullest.

There was a lot of trial and error in the production process. In particular, the scene depicting the scenery of a train running required many revisions before finally creating a satisfactory image. The children's singing voices were also re-recorded many times in pursuit of a natural sound. These efforts bore fruit, and the work deeply moved the audience.

Viewers' reactions

"The Railroad Continues Forever" was loved by many viewers when it was first broadcast. In particular, children commented that the show gave them the courage to make their dreams come true and gave them hope for the future. Adults also made comments such as "It brought back memories of my childhood" and "I want to show this to my own children," proving that the show was popular with a wide range of generations.

This work has received many requests since it was broadcast, and has been rebroadcast many times. It has also been distributed on DVD and the Internet, and is still enjoyed by many viewers today. The reaction from viewers is proof that the work's universal appeal and profound message are highly regarded.

Influence of the work

"The Railroad Continues Forever" is one of the most highly acclaimed works in the NHK "Minna no Uta" series. The success of this work had a major influence on the production of subsequent "Minna no Uta" series. In particular, it reaffirmed the importance of depicting the world from children's perspectives and conveying deep messages, which led to the creation of many masterpieces.

This work also became a catalyst for expanding the possibilities of children's animation. It proved that it was possible to convey a deep message in a short amount of time, and influenced many creators. Even today, many staff involved in the production of children's animation refer to this work.

How to watch and recommended points

"The Railroad Continues Forever" can be viewed on the NHK official website or through video streaming services. It is also available on DVD, so you can enjoy it easily. When watching it, pay attention to the following points to get the most out of the work.

• Scenes with trains running : Scenes with trains running depict the beauty of nature and human activities. In particular, the scenes where the train passes through a tunnel and the sunset are must-sees.
• Children's singing : Children's singing brings out the message of the song to the fullest. If you listen to the song while thinking about the meaning of the lyrics, you will be moved even more deeply.
• Timing of the visuals and music : The timing of the visuals and music is well-thought-out. In particular, the moment when the timing of the train running matches the timing of the lyrics is very moving.

Related information

"The Railroad Continues Forever" was produced as part of NHK's "Minna no Uta" series. The "Minna no Uta" series is known as an educational program for children and has produced many classic anime. The following works in particular are highly rated and are definitely worth watching.

• "The Old Clock" : This anime was broadcast in 1960 and features memorable clock sounds and singing voices. It depicts the growth of children and the passage of time.
• "Te no Hira wo Taiyo ni" (Peppermint in the Sun) : This anime aired in 1961 and depicts the dreams and hopes of children. It has been praised for the message of the lyrics and the beauty of the images.
• "Omocha no Cha-cha-cha" : This anime aired in 1971 and depicts the world of toys. It stimulates children's playfulness and creativity.

summary

"The Railroad Continues Forever" is a classic anime that was broadcast on NHK Educational TV in 1975. In just two minutes, it delivered a profound message and beautiful images, moving a wide range of viewers from children to adults. This work is one of the most highly acclaimed works in NHK's "Minna no Uta" series, and it had a major influence on the production of children's anime after that. When watching, pay attention to the scenery of the trains running, the children's singing, and the timing of the images and music to maximize the charm of the work. Also, be sure to watch related works. "The Railroad Continues Forever" is an eternal masterpiece that depicts the dreams and hopes of children.