Ikkyu-san and the Naughty Princess: A fascinating blend of unique characters and stories

Ikkyu-san and the Naughty Princess - Movie reviews and details

Movie Overview

"Ikkyu-san and the Naughty Princess" is a short animated film produced by Toei and released on March 18, 1978. It is a single episode, lasting just 15 minutes, depicting the humorous adventures of Ikkyu-san and the naughty princess Tsuyuhime. This is an original anime film, directed by Yabuki Kimihiro and produced by Toei Animation. It has an Eirin rating of 24200 and was released in theaters.

story

Tsuyuhime, also known as Tsuyumaru, who always gives Ikkyu-san a hard time, comes to Ankoku-ji Temple to play. When Ikkyu-san and his friends use work as an excuse to ignore her, Tsuyuhime gets angry and takes Ikkyu-san's advice that she should just become a man to heart, and starts dressing like a man. Not only that, but under the pretense of honing her martial arts skills, she starts challenging dojos, defeating both Shiniemon and Shogun Yoshimitsu. Worried, her parents beg Ikkyu-san to do something about it. After rampaging around here and there, Tsuyuhime, also known as Tsuyumaru, enters the house and is surprised to find that the gatekeeper has taken on a female form, and that her father and mother have switched places. Ikkyu-san and Shiniemon are also in female form and make strange noises, so Tsuyuhime says she wants to return to being a girl. Once again, Ikkyu-san's wit successfully solves the case.

Main Staff

・Planning / Minato Sakanashi, Yoshio Takami ・Scriptwriting / Masaki Tsuji ・Direction / Takeshi Shirato ・Chief animation director / Takeshi Shirato ・Director / Kimiro Yabuki ・Anime character design / Hiroshi Wagatsuma ・Music / Seiichiro Uno ・Art designer / Isamu Kageyama ・Production assistant / Kazuya Miyazaki

Character Introduction

Ikkyu-san <br> The main character, Ikkyu-san, is a young monk who is quick-witted and full of humor. His wit is the central element of the story and the key to solving the problems. His wisdom also shines in solving Princess Tsuyu's problem.

Tsuyuhime (Mischievous Princess)
Tsuyuhime is a mischievous and lively princess. After being ignored by Ikkyu, she dresses up as a man and improves her martial arts skills. She is full of energy and courage. Her actions play an important role in moving the story forward.

Shiniemon <br> Ikkyu-san's friend, he is often at the mercy of Tsuyuhime's actions. He also gets caught up in Tsuyuhime's attempts to break into a dojo, but he works with Ikkyu-san to solve the problem.

Shogun Yoshimitsu <br> A character that reflects the historical background, he is surprised by Tsuyuhime's actions, but is also impressed by Ikkyu's wisdom. His presence gives the story historical depth.

Background and significance of the production

"Ikkyu-san and the Naughty Princess" was produced as a short film in the Japanese animation industry in the late 1970s. During this period, Toei Animation produced many short animations, and this film was one of them. Director Yabuki Kimiro was a major creator at Toei Animation at the time, and his unique direction is reflected in this film. In addition, screenwriter Tsuji Masaki skillfully combined the humor and moral lessons of the story to create a work that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

The significance of this work is that it portrays the historical character Ikkyu-san from a modern perspective and teaches children the importance of wisdom and courage. Through the character of Tsuyuhime, the work also depicts gender roles and the importance of self-expression, including themes that reflect the social situation of the time.

Animation and Music

Takeshi Shirato, who served as the animation director for this work, was particular about the character design and movement, and realistically depicted the expressions and movements of Ikkyu-san and Tsuyuhime. In particular, in the scene where Tsuyuhime disguises herself as a man and challenges a dojo, her liveliness and courage are visually emphasized. In addition, the designs of Hiroshi Wagatsuma, who was in charge of anime character design, are also an important element in bringing out the individuality of the characters.

The music was composed by Seiichiro Uno, and its light-hearted and humorous melodies liven up the story. In particular, the music in the scenes where Tsuyuhime runs wild has the effect of further highlighting her actions. Art designer Isamu Kageyama's backgrounds also realistically recreate the historical background, enriching the worldview of the story.

Evaluation and acceptance

"Ikkyu-san and the Naughty Princess" has been loved by children since it was released, and has gained many fans. This work, which depicts Ikkyu-san's wisdom and Princess Tsuyuhime's liveliness, also contains educational elements, and was often viewed at school and at home. In addition, it is a highly polished short film, and is one of the most highly acclaimed short animations of the time.

Even today, this work is being re-evaluated as part of the Ikkyu-san series, and a new generation of people are watching it through DVDs and internet distribution. In particular, the character of Tsuyuhime has been attracting attention in relation to modern gender debates, and its social significance is being reaffirmed.

Recommendations and related works

Ikkyu-san and the Naughty Princess is recommended for fans of the Ikkyu-san series, as well as those who enjoy short animated films and historical characters. It is also suitable for parents looking for educational animation for their children. Related works include other works in the Ikkyu-san series and short animated films also produced by Toei Animation. In particular, check out the TV anime version of the Ikkyu-san series and other works also directed by Yabuki Kimiro.

Conclusion

"Ikkyu-san and the Naughty Princess" is a humorous and educational animated film that depicts Ikkyu-san's wisdom and Princess Tsuyuhime's lively nature in a short time. Since its release in 1978, this work has been loved by many people and is highly acclaimed for its content that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, as well as its high production techniques. Please experience the world of Ikkyu-san through this work.