SF Journey to the West Starzinger II: A thorough review of the sequel to this space adventure

SF Journey to the West Starzinger II - SF Journey to the West Starzinger II - Comprehensive review and recommendation

overview

SF Journey to the West: Starzinger II is a 1979 anime TV series based on the original manga by Leiji Matsumoto. The series aired on CX (now Fuji TV) from July 1st to August 26th, 1979, and was a short series of nine episodes. It was produced by Toei (animation) and Asahi Tsushinsha, and directed by Yugo Serigawa. Each episode is 30 minutes long.

story

SF Journey to the West: Starzinger II is a space-set reinterpretation of Journey to the West, with protagonist Starzinger and his companions fighting to protect peace in the universe. Positioned as a sequel to the first season, it features deeper character development and battles with new foes. The story revolves around the Starzingers as they embark on a new adventure, depicting the vastness of the universe and the importance of friendship and courage through battles with unknown foes.

character

Starzinger: The main character, a brave and righteous character. He continues to fight to protect peace in the universe. His growth and the bond with his friends are at the center of the story.
Julia: Starzinger's lover and comrade in battle. Her wisdom and courage support the team.
Don Hercules: Starzinger's best friend and a strong warrior. He has a humorous personality and is also the mood maker of the team.
Emeraldas: A mysterious beauty who is an important character who supports the Starzingers. Her past and secrets add depth to the story.

Animation and visuals

SF Journey to the West: Starzinger II was produced using the animation techniques of the 1970s. The character designs reflect Leiji Matsumoto's unique style, and the depictions of spaceships and battle scenes made a strong impression on viewers at the time. In particular, the background art, which expresses the vastness of space, is visually captivating. Additionally, the dynamism of the battle scenes and the detailed facial expressions of the characters heighten the tension of the story.

Music and Sound

Music is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the series. The opening and ending themes have memorable melodies that emphasize the theme of the story. BGM is also used effectively to accompany battle scenes and emotional scenes, enhancing the emotions of the viewer. The sound effects, such as the sound of spaceship engines and the sounds of battle, also create a realistic effect.

Evaluation and impact

SF Journey to the West: Starzinger II was highly acclaimed despite being a short series. In particular, viewers loved Leiji Matsumoto's unique worldview and the appeal of his characters. In addition, the novel setting of a reinterpretation of Journey to the West set in space helped spark the sci-fi anime boom at the time. This series influenced subsequent anime works and can be said to be a pioneer of space adventure stories.

Recommended points

The reasons we recommend "SF Journey to the West: Starzinger II" are as follows:
1. **Leiji Matsumoto's unique worldview**: Leiji Matsumoto's unique character designs and depictions of space are visually captivating.
2. **Character Growth and Friendship**: The story depicts the growth and friendship between Starzinger and his friends, and has a heartwarming storyline that will touch the hearts of viewers.
3. **A space adventure**: The story depicts the vastness of space and the battle against unknown enemies, making it a captivating story for viewers.
4. **Music and Sound Effects**: Openings, endings, background music and sound effects add to the story and elicit emotions from the viewer.
5. **Dense content for a short series**: Although it is a short series of only 9 episodes, it is packed with a rich story and fascinating characters.

How to watch and related works

"SF Journey to the West: Starzinger II" is available to watch on DVD and streaming services. We also recommend the first season of "SF Journey to the West: Starzinger" as a related work. In addition, other works by Matsumoto Leiji, such as "Galaxy Express 999" and "Captain Harlock," can also be enjoyed as adventure stories set in space. Through these works, you can gain a deeper understanding of Matsumoto Leiji's unique worldview and the appeal of his characters.

Conclusion

"SF Journey to the West: Starzinger II" is a space adventure story filled with Matsumoto Leiji's unique worldview and the charm of his characters. Although it is a short series, it has a dense story and visual appeal, making it a work that touches the hearts of viewers. This is a work that is especially recommended for those who like space adventure stories and works that depict character growth and friendship. Watch it and experience the adventures of Starzinger and his friends.