A thorough explanation of the world-famous fairy tale "Thumbelina": its appeal and reputation

The appeal and evaluation of "The World's Greatest Fairy Tales: Thumbelina"

■Overview of the work

"World Classic Fairy Tales: Thumbelina" is a theatrical animation produced by Toei Animation and released on March 18, 1978. It is based on Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tale "Thumbelina" and was directed by Yugo Serigawa. This is Toei Animation's 30th feature-length animated film and won the Silver Elephant Award at the 1st India International Children's Film Festival. Each episode is 64 minutes long and contains a complete story, with beautiful images and a moving story.

■ Story

Born from a tulip bud, Thumbelina grows beautiful and adorable while living with her kind-hearted human aunt. During this time, she meets a fairy prince and the two begin to share a deep affection for each other. However, Thumbelina is forcefully kidnapped by Mother Frog. Although Thumbelina grieves over her loss, she manages to escape with the help of those around her and sets out on a long journey to return to the prince. Throughout her journey, Thumbelina meets many friends and is depicted as growing up.

■Explanation

"World Classic Fairy Tale Thumbelina" is based on Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tale, and is highly praised for its beautiful images and moving story. In particular, the film revolves around the love story between Thumbelina and the prince, and also vividly depicts fairies and small animals, making it enjoyable for children and adults alike. This film also won the Silver Elephant Award at the 1st India International Children's Film Festival, and is recognized worldwide for its artistry and entertainment value.

■Cast

The cast of this film is as follows:

• Thumbelina: Kazuko Sugiyama
• Bunbu: Mariko Miyagi
• Narrator, Geko: Kyoko Kishida
• Mogler: Kosei Tomita
• Frog Dad: Ichiro Nagai
• Frog Mother: Kazue Takahashi
• Thummy: Masako Nozawa
• Prince: Noriko Obara

The voice actors for each character deliver performances that bring out the character's individuality to the fullest, enhancing the appeal of the work as a whole.

■ Main staff

The main staff of this work are as follows:

• Original story: Hans Christian Andersen
• Screenplay: Ikuko Oyabu
• Planning: Ken Ariga, Yoshio Takami
• Directed by: Yugo Serigawa
• Assistant Director: Kokiyo Otani
• Produced by: Tomonori Imada
• Production Manager: Saburo Yokoi
• Character design: Osamu Tezuka
• Edited by Yutaka Chitose and Ryoichi Toba
• Animation director: Tatsuji Kino
• Assistant animation director: Kazuko Nakamura
• Art: Tomoo Fukumoto
• Music: Shunsuke Kikuchi
• Sound: Hiromi Kanbara
• Sound effects: Michihiro Ito

The insert songs "Gekogeko Song" and "Yume de Itsuka" are used, and their lyrics and melodies add color to the progression of the story.

■ Main Characters

The main characters of this work are as follows.

• Thumbelina (Maya): A thumb-sized girl given to a lonely aunt. She is so beautiful that she captivates all who see her.
• Bun-Boo: A bee who is good friends with Thumbelina. He looks up to her like an older sister and comes looking for her after she is kidnapped.
• Prince: The fairy prince who lives in Tulip Kingdom. He falls in love with Thumbelina at first sight and gives her the name Maya.
• Gekko: Mother Frog's son, Gekko. He helps Thumbelina escape from captivity.

The stories woven by these characters will inspire and inspire the audience.

■The appeal of the work

The greatest appeal of "World Classic Fairy Tales: Thumbelina" is its beautiful images and moving story. In particular, the story of Thumbelina's growth and adventures will move a wide range of people, from children to adults. Also, don't miss the vivid depictions of the fairies and small animals. The combination of these elements makes the entire work even more fascinating.

■ Evaluations and Awards

The film won the Silver Elephant Award at the 1st International Children's Film Festival in India and has been recognized worldwide for its artistry and entertainment value. It has also been highly praised by many audiences both at home and abroad, and is particularly acclaimed as an animation for children.

■ Recommendation points

"Thumbelina: A World Classic Fairy Tale" can be recommended for the following reasons:

• Beautiful visuals and a moving story: Based on Andersen's classic fairy tale, the beautiful visuals and moving story are enjoyable for both children and adults.
• Vivid depictions of fairies and small animals: The vivid depictions of the fairies and small animals enhance the appeal of the work as a whole.
• Critically acclaimed and awarded: The film won the Silver Elephant Award at the 1st International Children's Film Festival in India, and has been recognised worldwide for its artistry and entertainment value.

Conclusion

"Thumbelina," a world-famous fairy tale, is an appealing work with beautiful images, a moving story, and vivid depictions of fairies and small animals. It has been particularly highly praised as an animation for children, and can be enjoyed by a wide range of people, from children to adults. Please give it a watch and experience its charm.