The appeal and reputation of "Manga Kodomo Bunko": A new standard for children's manga

"Manga Kodomo Bunko": Looking back on nostalgic TV anime series

Manga Kodomo Bunko, which aired from 1978 to 1979, is a TV anime series based on traditional literature. This work aired every Friday night on MBS and depicted a story beloved by children. It was a long-running series with a total of 51 episodes, and its contents are still talked about by many fans today. In this article, we will take a closer look at this nostalgic work, including reviews and recommendations.

Overview

Manga Kodomo Bunko aired from October 6, 1978 to September 28, 1979. It was broadcast by MBS and directed by Tsuneo Maeda. It was produced in collaboration with Group Tuck, Herald Enterprises, and MBS. The anime was an animated adaptation of stories based on traditional literature, aiming to tell traditional stories in a way that was accessible to children.

Stories and episodes

Each episode of "Manga Kodomo Bunko" introduces a different piece of traditional literature. Specifically, the aim is to turn old Japanese tales, folk tales, and myths into anime and convey them to children in an easy-to-understand way. Below are some episodes.

• "Momotaro" : "Momotaro" is a famous story about defeating demons. The story is about the protagonist Momotaro, who travels to Ogre Island with a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant to defeat the demons. This episode depicts the importance of courage and friendship.
• "Urashima Taro" : This is the story of Urashima Taro, who is saved by a turtle and goes to Ryugu-jo Castle. It contains moral elements such as the turtle's repayment of the favor and the difference in the flow of time.
• "The Tale of Princess Kaguya" : This is the story of Princess Kaguya, who was born from a bamboo grove and tests five suitors. Her beauty and wisdom are depicted, and the final scene where she returns to the moon is very moving.
• "The Tongue-Cut Sparrow" : A story about an old man and woman who are involved with a sparrow, depicting the results of good and bad deeds in contrast to each other. The grandfather's kindness and the grandmother's greed are impressive.

These episodes serve as entertainment while teaching children traditional values ​​and morals.

character

In "Manga Kodomo Bunko," different characters appear in each episode, but the common thread is the purity and courage of the protagonists. The main characters are introduced below.

• Momotaro : Depicted as a hero who defeats demons and adventures with a dog, a monkey and a pheasant. His leadership and courage are central to the story.
• Urashima Taro : A young man who is saved by a turtle and travels to Ryugu-jo Castle. His innocence and curiosity drive the story, but he is ultimately surprised by the difference in the flow of time.
• Princess Kaguya : A beautiful princess born from a bamboo. Her wisdom and beauty add to the story, and her final scene of returning to the moon is very moving.
• Grandfather and Grandmother : These characters appear in the episode "The Tongue-Cut Sparrow." The grandfather's kindness and the grandmother's greed are contrasted, and the consequences of good and bad deeds are shown.

Animation and Music

The animation in Manga Kodomo Bunko reflects the style of the 1970s. The character designs are simple yet express the atmosphere of each episode well. The background art also beautifully depicts traditional Japanese landscapes, making it visually appealing.

In terms of music, the opening theme "Kodomo Bunko no Uta" and the ending theme "Oyasumi no Uta" are memorable. These songs have melodies and lyrics that are familiar to children, and have been loved by many fans since they were first broadcast. The opening theme in particular plays a role in livening up the beginning of the story, and the ending theme creates an atmosphere that gently embraces the viewer.

Evaluation and impact

Manga Kodomo Bunko has been loved by children since it was first broadcast and has garnered many viewers. The reasons for this include the following:

• Introducing traditional stories : By adapting traditional Japanese literature into anime, children can be taught traditional values ​​and morals, which is also highly valued from an educational point of view.
• Entertainment : By depicting a different story in each episode, viewers were able to enjoy it every week without getting bored. The appeal of the characters and storyline was also a major factor.
• Musical appeal : The opening and ending themes left a lasting impression on viewers and enhanced the overall impression of the work. These songs are still loved by fans to this day.

This work also played a role in making traditional Japanese stories widely known, and is of particular cultural value in providing an opportunity for children to experience these stories.

Recommendations and how to watch

Manga Kodomo Bunko is a series that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. It is especially recommended for the following types of people:

• Those interested in traditional Japanese stories : Each episode introduces Japanese old stories, folk tales and myths. These stories teach morals and values ​​to children, while also providing new insights for adults.
• Those who want to enjoy nostalgic TV anime : This is a perfect work for those who want to experience the atmosphere of TV anime from the 1970s. You can feel the style of the time in the character designs, music, etc.
• Parents who want to show their children educational cartoons : This work can teach children traditional values ​​and morals. It is also highly entertaining, so children will learn while having fun.

DVDs and Blu-rays are available for viewing. In some cases, they are also distributed online, so that is another way to watch them. In particular, on fan sites and communities, you can view detailed information about the work and fan art, allowing you to enjoy the work on a deeper level.

summary

"Manga Kodomo Bunko" is a TV anime series based on traditional Japanese literature that was broadcast from 1978 to 1979. It was a long-running series with 51 episodes, and each episode told a different story, which made it popular with children. The overall appeal of the series, including the characters, story, and music, attracted viewers and gained many fans. This work also played a role in widely disseminating traditional Japanese stories, and it can be said to have high cultural value. It is a work that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, and is recommended for those who are interested in traditional Japanese stories, those who want to enjoy nostalgic TV anime, and parents who want to show educational anime to their children. It can be viewed on DVD, Blu-ray, or via internet distribution. "Manga Kodomo Bunko" is still loved by many fans and is passed down through the generations.