Review of "Triton of the Sea": A story of deep sea adventure and growth

"Triton of the Sea": Sea adventures and fateful battles

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

comics

■ Release date

July 14, 1979 - January 1, 0000

■Distribution company

Toei affiliates

■ Eirin Number

19828

■Frequencies

74th minute

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Tezuka Osamu (serialized in the Sankei Shimbun)

■ Director

Toshio Masuda

■ Production

Office Academy

■Works

©West Cape Corporation

■ Story

Triton, a boy raised by a fisherman named Ippei, is told by a white dolphin named Ruka that he is the descendant of the Triton tribe and is destined to confront the Poseidon tribe, who are plotting to rule the seas. He aims for Poseidon's home base in the North Atlantic Ocean while defeating the Poseidon tribe that has spread to the seas around the world.

■Explanation

The film is based on Tezuka Osamu's manga Blue Triton, but the story differs greatly between the original and the anime. This film is a re-edited version of the first half of the 1972 TV anime series. It was produced by Nishizaki Yoshinobu, supervised by Masuda Toshio, who directed the Space Battleship Yamato film, and edited by Tanahashi Ittoku. A film version of the second part was also produced, but was never released, until it was released on video in 1984.

■Cast

・Triton/Tsubasa Shioya ・Pipi/Akemi Hirokawa ・Luka/Haruko Kitahama ・Triton's father/Keiichi Noda ・Triton's mother/Toshiko Sawada ・Finn/Kazuko Sugiyama ・Poseidon/Kunihiko Kitagawa

■ Main staff

・Original story: Osamu Tezuka (serialized in the Sankei Shimbun newspaper)
Executive Producer: Yoshinobu Nishizaki, Supervisor: Toshio Masuda, Story: Seiji Matsuoka, Yoshiyuki Tomino, Animation Director: Akiyoshi Hane, Director: Yoshiyuki Tomino, Ittoku Tanahashi, Music: Hiromasa Suzuki, Frog Production, Sound Director: Yasuo Urakami, Sound: Yasunori Honda, Production: Office Academy

■ Main Characters

Triton: A boy who is the sole survivor of the Triton tribe, inhabitants of the continent of Atlantis, which sank into the Atlantic Ocean in ancient times. He was raised by human fishermen. After learning of his origins, he sets off to the sea to fight against the Poseidon tribe, armed with an Orichalcum dagger that holds super energy.

A mermaid and the only survivor of the Pipitriton tribe. She has a competitive and lively personality. She likes Triton.

Lucar is Triton's nanny dolphin. She tells Triton the secret of his birth. When traveling, she swims with Triton on her back.

Finn is the youngest of the three dolphin brothers who travels with Triton. He has a conch shell tied to his head.

Poseidon: A giant stone statue and the leader of the Poseidon tribe, who wiped out the Triton tribe.

■ Related works

TV
・"Triton of the Sea" (broadcast from April 1, 1972 to September 30, 1972)

■Detailed review

"Triton of the Sea" is an anime based on the original work by Osamu Tezuka, and is characterized by its deep themes and epic story development. In particular, the setting of adventure and fateful battles at sea leaves a strong impression on viewers. Below, we will take a detailed look at the background, story, characters, production process, and influences of the work.

Background and original story

Tezuka Osamu's Blue Triton, serialized in the Sankei Shimbun newspaper in the 1960s, is a story that combines ocean adventure with mythological elements. In the original work, Triton is depicted as a survivor of the continent of Atlantis, fighting against Poseidon's tribe, who seek to control the seas. However, the story was significantly changed in the anime version, adopting a more dramatic development. This was an adaptation to suit the audience of the time, with an emphasis on elements that would appeal to children in particular.

Story and Themes

The story of "Triton of the Sea" is about a young boy, Triton, who discovers the secret of his birth and sets off to sea to fight against Poseidon's tribe. During this journey, Triton faces many challenges and grows together with his companions. The themes depicted in the film are fate and freedom, friendship and betrayal, and self-sacrifice, and they leave a deep impression on viewers. In particular, the scene in which Triton fights against Poseidon's tribe is visually very impactful, expressing both the beauty and terror of the sea at the same time.

character

Triton is a brave boy with a strong sense of justice, and his growth and struggles are at the heart of the story. Pipi is an important character who supports Triton, and her liveliness and kindness add color to the story. Ruka is Triton's guide and is portrayed as a motherly figure. Finn is Triton's friend who travels with him, and his humorous personality adds lightness to the story. Poseidon is the story's antagonist, and his overwhelming presence leaves a strong impression on the viewer. Each of these characters plays their own role and adds excitement to the story.

Production Process

Triton of the Sea is a re-edit of the first half of the 1972 TV anime series, produced by Yoshinobu Nishizaki and supervised by Toshio Masuda, who is also known as the director of the animated feature film Space Battleship Yamato, and his experience and skills contributed greatly to this work. Editing was done by Ittoku Tanahashi, and a sequel film was also produced, but it was released on video software without being released. This production process reflects the state of the anime industry at the time, and shows the efforts to maximize the effect with limited resources.

Music and Sound

The music was composed by Hiromasa Suzuki and Frog Productions, and effectively expresses the vastness of the ocean and the thrill of adventure. In particular, the background music in the scene where Triton travels the sea plays an important role in enhancing the emotions of the viewer. Sound director Yasuo Urakami and sound engineer Yasunori Honda have realistically reproduced the sounds of the ocean and battles, enhancing the viewer's immersion. These music and sounds enrich the worldview of the story.

Impact and Evaluation

"Triton of the Sea" is highly acclaimed as a work based on the original work by Tezuka Osamu, and the story, which combines ocean adventures with mythological elements, left a particularly strong impression on viewers. The dramatic developments depicting the characters' growth and conflicts have also captivated many fans. Furthermore, the ingenuity and effort put into the production process reflect the state of the anime industry at the time, making it an important work that has moved viewers. Even today, it can be said that "Triton of the Sea" is a must-see for viewers who enjoy ocean adventures and mythological tales.

■Recommendation details

To enjoy "Triton of the Sea," it's a good idea to pay attention to the following points.

The allure of ocean adventure

The adventure set in the ocean offers viewers a vast worldview and allows them to relive Triton's journey. In particular, the scenes that simultaneously depict the beauty and terror of the ocean are visually very impactful, so be sure to check them out.

Character Development

The growth and struggles of Triton and other characters are at the heart of the story and leave a deep impression on viewers. In particular, if you pay attention to the relationship between Triton and Pipi and his role as a guide for Ruka, you will be able to feel the depth of the story even more.

Music and Sound

Music and sound are important elements that enrich the worldview of the story. In particular, the background music in the scene where Triton travels the sea, as well as the sounds of the sea and battle, will enhance the viewer's sense of immersion.

Ingenuity in the production process

The production process of "Triton of the Sea" shows the ingenuity and effort that reflected the state of the animation industry at the time. In particular, if you pay attention to the fact that the first half of the TV anime series was re-edited and that the film of the second half was released on video software, you can better understand the background of the work.

Related Titles

A related work to "Triton of the Sea" is the TV anime series that was broadcast in 1972. By watching this, you will be able to compare the differences and similarities with the theatrical version and get a full picture of the work. You can also gain a deeper understanding by watching other works by Tezuka Osamu.

Conclusion

"Triton of the Sea" is an epic story that combines maritime adventures with mythological elements, and is characterized by dramatic developments that depict the growth and conflicts of the characters. The ingenuity and effort put into the production process reflect the state of the animation industry at the time, and it became an important work that moved viewers. For viewers who like maritime adventures and mythological stories, "Triton of the Sea" is a must-see. We hope you enjoy Triton's adventures while paying attention to the music and sound, the growth of the characters, and the ingenuity put into the production process.