The moving story and reviews of Andersen's "The Little Match Girl": Rediscovering the appeal of this classic anime

The Little Match Girl: A Story of Hans Christian Andersen - A deep look into this moving anime classic

The animated film "The Little Match Girl: The Story of Hans Christian Andersen," based on Andersen's classic fairy tale "The Little Match Girl," was released on December 20, 1975. The film was produced by Toei Animation (now Toei Animation) and distributed by Toei. This anime, which was released in theaters, was a one-episode story that left a deep impression on audiences.

Differences between the original and the anime

The original "The Little Match Girl" is a fairy tale published by Hans Christian Andersen in 1845. This story depicts the sad fate of a girl who stands on a street corner selling matches on a cold night. In the original, the girl has visions that keep her warm every time she strikes a match, but in the end she freezes to death.

The anime version, on the other hand, tones down this tragic ending a little and goes into more detail about the fantastical world the girl sees every time she strikes a match. In the anime, every time the girl strikes a match, her deepest wishes and dreams are materialized, creating visually stunning scenes that allow the audience to empathize more deeply with the girl's inner world.

Production background and staff

"The Little Match Girl: The Andersen Story" is considered one of the golden age works of Toei Animation. During this period, Toei Animation produced many classic animated works, and this one in particular is highly acclaimed. The director was Takahata Isao, who has worked on many classic animated works, and his delicate direction enhances the beauty of this work. Additionally, Hayao Miyazaki was involved in the character design and animation direction, and his unique touch brings life to the girl's expressions and movements.

Story and Themes

The story begins from the perspective of a young girl selling matches on a street corner on a cold winter's night. She endures hunger and cold as she strikes one match at a time. With each match she has a vision of a warm room, delicious food, and a reunion with her deceased grandmother. These visions reflect her innermost desires and memories, and leave a deep emotional impact on the audience.

The theme of this work is "hope" and "dreams." The visions the girl sees every time she strikes a match are symbols of her hopes and dreams, which support her. However, reality is harsh, and her dreams end up unfulfilled. Nevertheless, the hopes and dreams in her heart convey a powerful message to the audience.

Visuals and Music

Visually, the film combines the delicate direction of director Isao Takahata with the beautiful artwork of Hayao Miyazaki to create a fantastical world. In particular, the scene in which the girl strikes a match uses colorful animation that draws the audience in. The background art is also very beautiful, with contrasts between the cold cityscape and the warm rooms.

The music was composed by Masaru Sato, whose beautiful melodies liven up the story. In particular, the dreamy music that plays every time the girl strikes a match expresses her innermost feelings, stirring the emotions of the audience. The songs in the play are also impressive, conveying the girl's feelings through their lyrics.

Evaluation and impact

"The Little Match Girl" was highly praised when it was released. In particular, the beautiful images and moving story captured the hearts of audiences and brought many to tears. In addition, by making the film an animated version of Andersen's original story, the film was able to reach a wider audience.

This work has had a huge impact, influencing subsequent anime works. In particular, the way it portrays the inner thoughts of young girls and its fantastical world can be seen in many of its works. This work is also loved by many fans today as a work that symbolizes the golden age of Toei Animation.

Recommendations and how to watch

"The Little Match Girl" is recommended for those who want to enjoy a touching story and beautiful images. Watching it on a cold winter's night will allow you to empathize more deeply with the girl's feelings. This film is also recommended for watching with the family, and will be a good opportunity to teach children the importance of hopes and dreams.

The most common way to watch it is to purchase the DVD or Blu-ray that are available. It may also be possible to watch it through a video streaming service, so using that is also an option. However, the distribution status may change, so we recommend that you check in advance.

Related works and their appeal

Like "The Little Match Girl," other animated works based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales produced by Toei Animation include "The Little Mermaid" and "The Ugly Duckling." These works are also characterized by beautiful images and moving stories, so we recommend watching them together.

Other works that director Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki also worked on include "Panda Gopanda" and "Heidi, Girl of the Alps." These works also have beautiful images and heartwarming stories, and are not to be missed by fans.

summary

"The Little Match Girl: The Story of Hans Christian Andersen" is a masterpiece anime that combines beautiful images with a moving story. By softening the tragic ending of the original story and depicting the inner thoughts of the girl, the film deeply moves the audience. This work is still loved by many fans as a symbol of Toei Animation's golden age. Please watch this work and experience the hopes and dreams of the girl.