The appeal and reviews of "Haikara-san ga Tooru": A good old-fashioned romance brought to the modern era

Haikara-san ga Tooru - A timeless tale of romance and adventure

"Haikara-san ga Tooru" is a TV anime series based on the original shojo manga by Waki ​​Yamato, which aired from 1978 to 1979. The story is set in Tokyo during the Taisho era and depicts the growth and love life of the free-spirited heroine, Benio Hanamura. Below, we will introduce detailed information and reviews of this work, as well as recommended points.

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

June 3, 1978 - March 31, 1979 Every Saturday 19:00-19:30

■Broadcasting station

Broadcast on the Asahi Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) network

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 42

■Original Story

・Original story: Waki ​​Yamato "Haikara-san ga Tooru" Kodansha Comics

■ Director

Directed by: Hikoya Magose and Kazuyoshi Yokota

■ Production

Produced by Nippon Animation, Asahi Broadcasting Corporation. Production cooperation: Trans Arts

■Works

©Yamato Waki/Kodansha, Nippon Animation

■ Story

The story is set in Tokyo in the 7th year of the Taisho era. The daughter of Imperial Army officer Major Hanamura, Benio, is a 17-year-old girl with a sophisticated and curious personality who is more interested in swordsmanship than in etiquette. Worried about her future, her father arbitrarily decides on her fiance.
Benio is furious at her father's selfishness, but the young lieutenant Ijuin Shinobu who appears to intervene shows understanding for her feelings.
This incident causes Benio to become attracted to Shinobu, who she was supposed to be repelled by. In this era of rapid change, Benio protects the Ijuin family in place of Shinobu, who has gone to the battlefield, and receives news that Shinobu has been killed in battle. However, Benio refuses to believe it and decides to continue waiting for Shinobu's return.

■Explanation

The original work is a masterpiece by Yamato Waki, a master who has held the leading position among Kodansha-affiliated shojo manga artists for over 20 years.
The anime version expanded the comical aspects of the original work by increasing the appearances of characters such as the kind-hearted Ushigorou, the cross-dresser Ranmaru, and the eccentric Drunkard Doji and Ohikizuri-san, giving the anime version a brilliance of its own.
Character design is handled by Tsutomu Shibayama.
The anime version ended without depicting the final part of the original story, the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. However, through repeated reruns, it gradually gained strong support from many viewers.

■Cast

・Hanamura Benio/Yokozawa Keiko・Ijuin Shinobu/Mori Koji・Mori Ranmaru/Sugiyama Kazuko・Ushigorou/Masuoka Hiroshi・Kitakoji Tamaki/Yoshida Rihoko・Ijuin's wife/Mine Atsuko・Major Hanai/Nagai Ichiro・Drunk Boy/Kentaro Kimotsuki・Nanny/Suzuki Reiko・Second daughter Kisaragi/Yamada Reiko・Count/Miyauchi Kohei・Aoe Tousei/Inoue Makio・Onjima Morigo/Yasuhara Yoshito・Narrator/Nagai Ichiro・and others

■ Main staff

・Original story: Waki ​​Yamato, "Haikara-san ga Tooru" (Kodansha Comics)・Producer: Koichi Motohashi・Production management: Mitsuru Takakuwa・Planning: Shoji Sato・Music: Masuhiro Yamaguchi・Direction: Hikoya Magoshi, Kazuyoshi Yokota・Producer: Akira Negoro・Screenplay: Futoshi Takahashi・Character design: Tsutomu Shibayama, Susumu Shiraume, Kuraku Asahi・Chief animation directors: Kazuo Tashiro, Toji Mizumura, Yoshiyuki Kishi, Sadayoshi Tominaga, Takashi Saijo, Tatsuhiro Nagaki, Eiji Tanaka・Key animation (original animation): Noboru Kominato, Hirokazu Ishino, Mariko Iioka, Tama Productions, Takashi Saijo, Shigeko Sekine, Satoshi Yamaguchi, Kumi Omori, Mitsuharu Kajitani, Shigeko Kaneko, Masaharu Morinaka, Midori Yamamoto, Motoyoshi Kozono, Satoshi Kokei, Hiromasa Akiyama, and others・Art director: Kono Jiro, Setouchi Hajime・Director of photography／Ogiwara Toru・Sound recording director／Fujino Sadayoshi・Finishing inspection／Suzuki Toshio・Animation／Trans Arts, Tamapro, Studio Joke, Tomipro・Finishing／Studio Robin・Background／Kawamoto Seihei, Atelier Roku, Kato Takafumi, Matsumiya Masazumi (even numbers), Mukuo Takamura, Mukuo Studio, Sato Masayuki, Yajima Miyoko, Numai Nobuo, Tsuboi Hideko, Fujiwara Noriko (odd numbers)
・Cinematography: Trans Arts ・Sound Production and Editing: Kunio Kuwahara ・Sound Effects: Yasuyuki Yoda, Ishida Sound ・Recording Studio: Studio New Japan ・Development Lab: Tokyo Developing Lab ・Title:
Editing: Masashi Furukawa, Hidetoshi Kamitou, Koike Tofu, Hajime Okayasu Storyboards: Hiroshi Yoshida, Kozo Takagaki, Hikoya Magoshi, Kazuyoshi Yokota, Yokoyokoo, and others Assistant Directors: Katsuyuki Otaki (even numbers), Yukio Okazaki (odd numbers)
・Production Desk: Yoshifusa Sanada, Susumu Ohara (first half)
・Production Progress: Takeshi Ogawa (even numbers), Yoshihide Kuriyama (odd numbers)
Produced by Nippon Animation, Asahi Broadcasting Corporation. Production cooperation: Trans Arts

・Opening theme "Haikara-san ga Tooru" (Lyrics by Tsuzuru Nakazato, Composition by Shosuke Sekita, Arrangement by Masuhiro Yamaguchi, Vocals by Shosuke Sekita) ・Ending theme "How are you? It's Benio" (Lyrics by Tsuzuru Nakazato, Composition by Shosuke Sekita, Arrangement by Masuhiro Yamaguchi, Vocals by Shosuke Sekita)

■ Main Characters

Character design: Tsutomu Shibayama, Susumu Shiraume, Kuraku Asahi Animation Director: Kazuo Tashiro, Toji Mizumura, Yoshiyuki Kishi, Sadayoshi Tominaga, Takashi Saijo, Tatsuhiro Nagaki, Eiji Tanaka

■Subtitle

・1／Benio is a Beautiful Seventeen Years Old (1978/06/03)
2/Goodbye Runaway (1978/06/17)
・3/Love's Hangover (1978/06/24)
・4/Asakusa Slapstick Opera (1978/07/01)
・5/Go, Apprentice Bride (1978/07/08)
6. Temporary Wedding March (1978/07/15)
・7/I'm sorry, Earl (1978/07/22)
8. I won't cry until we win (1978/07/29)
9. My First Heart-Pounding Experience (1978/08/12)
・10／The Miracle Cure of Love (1978/08/19)
11/Welcome to the Lamentation Party (1978/08/26)
・12/Dance! The Troublesome Beautiful Girl!? (1978/09/02)
・13／Love is a Sailing Ship of Thought (1978/09/09)
・14／Two Flowers in Disarray (1978/09/16)
・15／Goodbye Old Things (1978/09/23)
・16／Goodbye Failed Bride (1978/09/30)
・17／Wandering Petals (1978/10/07)
・18／Beware of incurring grudges (1978/10/14)
19. Fleeting Happiness (1978/10/21)
・20／What about the two under the umbrella? (1978/10/28)
・21／Life is short and worries are endless (1978/11/04)
・22／Falling Flowers, Blooming Flowers, Flowers of Love (1978/11/11)
23/Yesterday's Heaven, Today's Hell (1978/11/18)
・24/I can't forgive the Army! (1978/11/25)
・25/Don't Go, Lieutenant (1978/12/02)
・26/Be feminine! Quit drinking (1978/12/09)
27/Red Sunset in Siberia (1978/12/16)
28/ Men's Battle, Women's Battle (1978/12/23)
・29 / Gunpowder and Bullets in Siberia (1978/12/30)
・30/The end of the lieutenant who falls with flowers! (1979/01/06)
・31／Oh, my tears are all gone (1979/01/13)
・32／I will cut my black hair and dedicate it to you (1979/01/20)
33/Heading Straight Towards Tomorrow (1979/01/27)
・34／Geisha Benichiyo Good Evening (1979/02/03)
・35／Beautiful Lie (1979/02/10)
・36/Crying and Laughing: My First Monthly Paycheck (1979/02/17)
・37 / My Beloved Lieutenant Imaizuko (1979/02/24)
・38／Longing for the Bandits, Second Lieutenant (1979/03/03)
・39／Flowing Poem of the Bandit (1979/03/10)
・40/The Lieutenant is Alive in My Heart (1979/03/17)
・41／The man who flew in an airship (1979/03/24)
・42／Ah! Taisho Romance (1979/03/31)

■ Related works

・Theatrical version of "Haikara-san ga Tooru" Part 1 and Part 2

■ Theme songs and music

・OP
・Hakushasa toru・Lyrics by Tsuzuru Nakazato・Composition by Shosuke Sekita・Arrangement by Masuhiro Yamaguchi・Singer by Shosuke Sekita・Ending theme
・How are you? It's Benio. ・Lyrics by Tsuzuru Nakazato. ・Music by Shosuke Sekita. ・Arrangement by Masuhiro Yamaguchi. ・Singer by Shosuke Sekita.

Evaluation and Impressions

"Haikara-san ga Tooru" is a story of romance and adventure set in Taisho-era Japan, and the historical background and charm of the characters have drawn many viewers. In particular, the main character, Hanamura Benio, is charming with her free-spirited and curious personality, and her growth and love life deeply moved viewers. Furthermore, her romance with Ijuin Shinobu was portrayed as a timeless and universal love story, attracting many fans.

The anime version emphasized the comical elements of the original work, and provided viewers with laughter and emotion through the exploits of characters such as the good-natured Ushigorou, the cross-dresser Ranmaru, and the drunken Doji. In particular, the character designs by Tsutomu Shibayama brought out the charm of the original work to the fullest, giving the anime its own unique brilliance.

Music was also an important element in enhancing the appeal of this work. The opening theme "Haikara-san ga Tooru" and the ending theme "Gokigen Ikaga? Benio desu" were sung by Shosuke Sekita and composed by Masuhiro Yamaguchi, and successfully enhanced the atmosphere of the work. These songs are still loved by many fans today.

Recommended points

We recommend "Haikara-san to Tooru" for the following reasons:

1. Historical background and story

Set in Tokyo during the Taisho period, this work realistically depicts the social situation and culture of the time, allowing viewers to feel as if they have traveled back in time to that era. In addition, the story of Benio's growth and love is a timeless and universal theme that will resonate with many viewers.

2. Charming characters

The main character, Benio Hanamura, has a free-spirited and curious personality that is appealing, and her actions and growth will draw viewers in. Her romance with Shinobu Ijuin also has many touching scenes that will move viewers' hearts. In addition, unique characters such as Ushigorou, Ranmaru, and Shuran Doji add color to the story and entertain viewers.

3. Music

The opening and ending songs are an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. With the vocals of Shosuke Sekita and the music composed by Masuhiro Yamaguchi, viewers can be deeply immersed in the world of the work. These songs are still loved by many fans and enhance the appeal of the work.

4. Unique animation production

The anime version emphasizes the comical elements of the original work, providing viewers with laughter and emotion. In particular, the character settings and direction have a unique brilliance that is unique to the anime, making it enjoyable for both fans of the original work and anime fans alike.

Conclusion

"Haikara-san ga Tooru" is a story of romance and adventure set in Taisho-era Japan, and its historical background and charming characters have attracted many viewers. In particular, the protagonist Hanamura Benio's growth and love life deeply touched viewers, and it is depicted as a timeless and universal love story. The anime version also emphasized the comical elements of the original work, providing viewers with laughter and emotion. Music is also an important element in enhancing the appeal of the work, and the opening and ending songs are still loved by many fans today. This work has many recommended points, such as the historical background and story, the charming characters, music, and the unique animation direction, so we definitely recommend giving it a watch.