The appeal and reputation of the manga Mito Komon: A fusion of history and entertainment

"Manga Mito Komon": The appeal and full picture of the historical anime

Overview

"Manga Mito Komon" is a TV anime series that was broadcast on Tokyo Channel 12 (now TV Tokyo) from September 3, 1981 to July 15, 1982. This work, consisting of 46 episodes, is a period drama anime with the protagonist being Mito Mitsukuni, a vice shogun in the Edo period, and the original story is original to the anime. It was broadcast in a 30-minute slot from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday, and was loved by viewers.

■ Story

The story of "Manga Mito Komon" depicts the adventures of Mito Mitsukuni, a retired kimono wholesaler who travels around the country, and his companions. Mitsukuni's true identity is the vice-shogun of the country, and he continues his journey with the master swordsman Sasaki Sukesaburo, the powerful Atsumi Kakunoshin, and the young ninja Sutemaru, and they defeat villains and monsters who are tormenting people. Each episode depicts the protagonist solving incidents that occur in different places and sticking to justice.

■Explanation

"Manga Mito Komon" is a period drama anime with Mito Komon (Mito Mitsukuni), who is familiar from TV dramas, as the main character. The story follows the familiar pattern of Mito Komon and his party traveling around the country, hiding their true identity as the former vice-shogun, and defeating bad guys in each place, but it also has some unique arrangements that are unique to anime, such as flashy special moves and special items. The enemies are not only bad guys, but also monsters, making it a very entertaining work with a lot of variety.

■Cast

• Mito Komon: Toshiya Sugita
• Sukesaburo: Hirotaka Suzuoki
• Kakunoshin: Masaru Ikeda
• Sutemaru: Yoko Matsuoka
• Donbei: Naoki Tatsuta

■ Main staff

• Produced by: Seiichi Nishino (Nac)
• Planning: Saijo Kokumaro (Nac)
• Producers: Heita Gotsu (TV Tokyo), Hiroshi Toida (Nac)
• Production desk: Hiromi Chihara
• Chief Director: Kazuyuki Okasako, Yoshikata Nitta
• Screenplay: Tsunehisa Ito
• Character design: Keisuke Morishita
• Art director: Keiji Kamezaki
• Color settings: Kayo Nagasawa, Megumi Kurokawa, Akihiro Hasumi
• Director of photography: Yosuke Moriguchi (Studio Wood)
• Edited by: Emiko Yoshida (Sanyo Editorial Office)
• Developed by Tokyo Developing Laboratory
• Music: Kentaro Haneda
• Sound: Takeo Murata
• Selection: Chabata Mitsuo
• Effect: Konno Tsuguo
• Sound Production: Eihiro Sound
• Production cooperation: Ami Planning, Space Age
• Produced by: TV Tokyo

■ Main Characters

• Mito Komon (Mito Mitsukuni): He travels around the country, pretending to be a retired Edo kimono wholesaler.
• Sasaki Sukesaburo: One of Mitsukuni Mito's attendants, commonly known as Sukesan. He is an expert swordsman and a practitioner of the Seven Star Sword Style. He has special techniques such as the "Ryusei Jumonji Slash" and the "Aoi Mitsuba Gaeshi". He also plays a covert role with his superhuman agility.
• Atsumi Kakunoshin: Like Sukesan, he is one of Mitsukuni's attendants. He is nicknamed Kakusan. He is strong even in normal times, but when he acquires Mitsukuni's "powerful power", he becomes even stronger. He is a mood maker who is a glutton and has a weakness for women.
• Sutemaru: A young ninja. He joins the group as Mitsukuni's attendant, but he is also a troublemaker who often gets caught up in incidents.
• Donbei: Sutemaru's dog. He can only talk to Sutemaru.

■Subtitle

• Episode 1: The Deadly Meteor Cross Slash (1981/09/03)
• Episode 2: Devil's Valley - Explosion
• Episode 3: A Bad Dream After Eating Too Much
• Episode 4: Defeat the Black Flags
• Episode 5: The Mysterious Procession of Daimyo
• Story 6: The Horseman and the Young Master
• Episode 7: Sukesaburo and the Close Call
• Episode 8: The Rogue Princess
• Episode 9: The Terrifying Kappa King
• Episode 10: Donbei's Rise to Power: Taikoki
• Episode 11: Rampage: Village of the Heroes
• Episode 12: Clash of Brothers and Sisters on the Raft
• Episode 13: Dubei Assassination Order
• Episode 14: Flying Phantom Thief Musasabi Boy
• Episode 15: The Fire-Breathing Demon Daitengu
• Episode 16: The Baddest Guy in Japan
• Episode 17: The Boy Who Rid a Whale
• Episode 18: The Shogun's Stolen Horse
• Episode 19: The Great Battle: Sutemaru vs. the Big Tanuki
• Episode 20: The rampaging monkey army
• Episode 21: Naughty Fort: Defeat the Adults
• Episode 22: Tears and Laughter - Donbei's First Love
• Episode 23: The Giant Centipede that Saved the Village
• Episode 24: Cut off the head of the lake dragon
• Episode 25: Which is which? The fake Mito
• Episode 26: The Devil's Fire Letters
• Episode 27: The Namba Jarin Girl
• Episode 28: Save Shioda from Hell!
• Episode 29: Yamamba's Golden Castle
• Episode 30: Defeat the Pirate Ship
• Episode 31: Onatsu is your mother?
• Episode 32: Naked at Konpira Shrine
• Episode 33: Protect the Fountain of Life
• Episode 34: The Man-Eating Shark Attacks a Woman Dive
• Episode 35: The Boy Who Flirts
• Episode 36: A rice ball crying in the rain
• Episode 37: The troublesome dog and cat commotion
• Episode 38: Save Dad
• Episode 39: The Strange Inventor
• Episode 40: Uncover the Mystery of Kofun Mountain
• Episode 41: Sutemaru and Donbei defeat the demon
• Story 42: The White Cow and the Boy
• Episode 43: Dosukoi - Gonta's Ring-entering
• Episode 44: Don't cry, Sutemaru. Farewell in Nagasaki
• Episode 45: The Story of the Naughty Princess
• Episode 46: Donbei's Life-threatening Love (1982/07/15)

■ Theme songs and music

• OP1: The Chanbara
  • Lyricist: Toyohisa Araki
  • Composer: Shiroo Tsuchimochi
  • Arrangement: Kentaro Haneda
  • Vocals: Mikio Tsukada
• ED1: Beautiful Morning
  • Lyricist: Toyohisa Araki
  • Composer: Kentaro Haneda
  • Arrangement: Kentaro Haneda
  • Vocals: Mikio Tsukada

■ Evaluation and impressions

"Manga Mito Komon" is a very unique period drama anime. By animating the historical figure Mito Komon, it has become a work that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people, from children to adults. In particular, the special moves and special items such as Sukesaburo's "Ryusei Jumonji Slash" and Kakunoshin's "Chikadasuki" are unique to anime and are elements that attract viewers. In addition, the story, which solves incidents that occur in different places in each episode, continues to provide fresh surprises to viewers.

The characters' personalities were also appealing, and the exchanges between Sutemaru and Donbei in particular were comical, with many scenes that made the audience laugh. The special skills of each character, such as Mito Komon's sense of justice and wisdom, Sukesaburo's swordsmanship, Kakunoshin's superhuman strength, and Sutemaru's ninjutsu, added excitement to the story and moved the audience.

The music is also an important element in enhancing the appeal of the work, and the opening theme song "The Chanbara" and the ending theme song "Beautiful Morning" are memorable masterpieces that viewers will cherish. In particular, the fast-paced melody of the opening theme creates a sense of the beginning of an adventure and has the power to draw viewers into the world of the story.

■Reasons for recommendation

"Manga Mito Komon" is a successful new attempt to combine period drama and animation, providing many viewers with excitement and laughter. It is a particularly good opportunity to teach children about history and justice. It also brings back nostalgia for adults, making it a work that the whole family can enjoy. It is a work that can be recommended not only to anime fans, but also to period drama fans.

This work is a story that gives courage and hope to the viewer, and teaches you how to face difficulties. Through the adventures of Mito Komon and his companions, you will be able to reaffirm the importance of justice and friendship. Please give it a watch.