Moo's White Whale: A Review and Thoughts on an Epic Adventure and Profound Themes

All-round evaluation and recommendation of Moo's White Whale - Moo no Hakugei

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

April 4, 1980 - September 26, 1980

■Broadcasting station

Nippon Television

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 26

■ Production

Produced by: Yomiuri TV, Tokyo Movie

■Works

©TMS

■ Story

In March 1982, the planets of the solar system aligned, causing a series of natural disasters all over the world. During this time, Atlantis, which was supposed to have been defeated in a battle with the Mu Empire and sent to another dimension, traveled back in time to the present day as an asteroid and began its invasion of Earth. At the same time, Ken, Yuzuru, Rei, Shin, and Manabu are guided by a giant flying white whale to Easter Island, where they decide to become Mu warriors to save the Earth. Together with the prophet Ra Mu, whose brain has been transplanted into the white whale, and his daughter Madora, they confront the Atlantean army.

■Cast

Sword: Junichi Takeoka / Yuzuru: Kazuhiko Inoue / Rei: Sachiko Chijimatsu / Shin: Hirotaka Suzuoki / Manabu: Noriko Tsukase / La Moo: Toshiya Sugita / Madora: Rihoko Yoshida / Platos: Toshio Furukawa / La Mer: Mami Koyama / Narrator: Yoshito Yasuhara and others

■ Main staff

Planning: Fukuo Motoo (YTV) / Producers: Yamane Osamu (YTV) (#14~), Akagawa Shigeru / Animation Director: Kosai Takao / Screenplay: Hoshiyama Hiroyuki, Matsuzaki Kenichi, Kaneko Yutaka, Sakurai Masaaki, and others / Direction and Storyboard: Imazawa Tetsuo, Yamayoshi Yasuo, Dezaki Satoshi, Nagaoka Akinori, Okazaki Minoru, Yasumura Shoichi, and others / Mechanic Designer: Aoki Yuzo / Art Direction: Ishigaki Tsutomu / Director of Photography: Arai Takafumi / Sound Director: Yamazaki Akira / Music Selection: Akatsuka Fujio / Music: Haneda Kentaro / Literary Director: Onoda Hiroyuki / Production Manager: Matsumoto Masato / Chief Director: Imazawa Tetsuo

■ Theme songs and music

[OP] Song: Fly to Moo / Singer: Ichiro Mizuki / Lyrics: Keisuke Yamakawa / Composer: Keisuke Hama / Arrangement: Kentaro Haneda [ED] Song: Do You Believe? / Singer: Ichiro Mizuki / Lyrics: Keisuke Yamakawa / Composer: Keisuke Hama / Arrangement: Kentaro Haneda

■Detailed evaluation and recommendation

Story and setting

"Moby Dick" has a very unique setting as a 1980s science fiction anime. The story combines elements of natural disasters caused by the alignment of planets in the solar system, Atlantis time-traveling from another dimension, and a giant flying white whale, and has the power to draw viewers in. In particular, the fact that the historical background of the conflict between the Mu Empire and Atlantis was brought to the present day must have been a fresh surprise for viewers at the time.

The story unfolds as the five young men, Ken and the others, grow as warriors of Mu, and has a strong element of a coming-of-age drama. Their cooperation with Ra Mu and Madora as they confront the Atlantean army gives the audience courage and hope. The presence of Ra Mu, who transplanted his brain into the white whale, symbolizes the theme of the fusion of science and mysticism, adding depth to the work as a whole.

character

Takeoka Junichi, who plays the main character Ken, gives a great performance as a hot-blooded yet caring character. His voice acting skills are particularly well-executed in the scenes where he struggles to protect his comrades. Inoue Kazuhiko, who plays Yuzuru, plays a calm and intelligent character, fulfilling the role of the team's brains. Chijimatsu Sachiko, who plays Uruha, captivated viewers with her charming portrayal of a strong-willed female character. Suzuoki Hirotaka, who plays Makoto, and Tsukase Noriko, who plays Manabu, also express the individuality of their respective characters, adding excitement to the story.

Sugita Toshiya, who plays La Mu, is an important pillar of the work, with a performance that combines the dignity of a prophet with humanity. Yoshida Rihoko, who plays Madora, gives an excellent performance as La Mu's daughter, a character who balances love for her father with the strength of a warrior. Furukawa Toshio, who plays Platos, and Koyama Mami, who plays La Mer, also perform their respective roles well, adding depth to the story. Yasuhara Yoshito participates as the narrator, enhancing the atmosphere of the work as a whole.

Production and staff

"Moby Dick" was a joint production between Yomiuri Television and Tokyo Movie, and is a work that brought together the technology and creative talent of the time. In particular, the character and mechanical designs drawn under the direction of animation director Takao Kozai greatly enhance the visual appeal. The Atlantean weapons and the equipment of the Mu warriors, created by mechanical designer Yuzo Aoki, balance the realism of a science fiction anime with a sense of fantasy.

Scriptwriters Hoshiyama Hiroyuki, Matsuzaki Kenichi, Kaneko Yutaka, and Sakurai Masaaki have skillfully constructed the story's development, and have put in a lot of effort to keep the audience interested. Directed and storyboarded by Imazawa Tetsuo, Yamayoshi Yasuo, Dezaki Satoshi, Nagaoka Akinori, Okazaki Minoru, and Yasumura Shoichi, they have maximized the highlights of each episode, creating a strong visual impact. Art director Ishigaki Tsutomu, cinematographer Arai Takafumi, sound director Yamazaki Akira, music selector Akatsuka Fujio, and composer Haneda Kentaro have also raised the quality of the work in their own areas. Under the leadership of literary director Onoda Hiroyuki, production director Matsumoto Masato, and chief director Imazawa Tetsuo, the entire work has been completed with a consistent quality.

Theme song and music

Both the opening theme "Fly to Mu" and the ending theme "Do You Believe?" are sung by Mizuki Ichiro, whose powerful voice enhances the theme of the work. These songs, written by Yamakawa Keisuke, composed by Hama Keisuke, and arranged by Haneda Kentaro, are sure to leave a deep impression on viewers. In particular, the opening theme "Fly to Mu" has impressive lyrics and melody that symbolize the spirit of adventure and battle, further enhancing the worldview of the work. The ending theme "Do You Believe?" has lyrics that sing of trust and hope in comrades that resonate in the heart, doubling the impact of the story.

Recommendations and ratings

"Moo no Moby Dick" is a highly acclaimed 1980s science fiction anime, beloved by viewers. The story development, the appeal of the characters, the production quality, and the powerful theme song all combine to leave a strong impression on viewers. In particular, the great appeal of this work is how it exquisitely combines elements of a youth drama with those of a science fiction anime.

I recommend this film for the following reasons: First, the story is very unique and has the power to draw the viewer in. Second, the characters are appealing and capture the hearts of the viewers. Third, the production quality is high and the visual impact is strong. Third, the theme song is powerful and brings out the theme of the film. The combination of these elements makes "Moo's White Whale" a film that leaves a strong impression on the viewer.

I highly recommend watching this film. It is a must-see, especially for those who like science fiction anime and teen dramas. By watching it, you can experience the culmination of Japan's creative talent and technology in the 1980s. You will also feel courage and hope through the development of the story and the growth of the characters. "Moo's White Whale" is a wonderful film that will move and excite the viewer.