The appeal and reviews of "Asari-chan": A classic anime that can be enjoyed by both children and adults

Asari-chan - Looking back on nostalgic Showa anime

The TV anime "Asari-chan," which aired from 1982 to 1983, was extremely popular among children at the time. The original work is a manga of the same name by Mayumi Muroyama, which was serialized in Shogakukan's "CoroCoro Comic" and in student magazines, and was then made into an anime. In this article, we will take a closer look at the appeal of "Asari-chan," the background to its production, the cast and staff, and its subsequent influences.

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

January 25, 1982 to February 28, 1983 Every Monday 19:00-19:30

■Broadcasting station

ANB

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 54

■Original Story

・Original story: Mayumi Muroyama

■ Director

・Direction: Osamu Kasai

■ Production

Produced by: ANB, Toei (animation), Toei Agency

■ Story

The year is 1982, and the Hamano family is located in a quiet residential area at 10 Makigai-cho, Hotate City, a town on the outskirts of Tokyo. Today, too, the family is in uproar. The protagonist of this story is Asari, an average fourth-grader whose father is Iwashi, a hardworking manager at a major company, her mother is Sango, a private university English major graduate, and her sister is Tatami, a brilliant sixth-grader at Sakuragai Elementary School. Because of her smart sister, Asari is always given the disadvantage, and she should be sulking or becoming a dropout, but she resists fiercely, working hard every day, refusing to be discouraged by her sister's bullying or her mother's harsh treatment.

■Explanation

This popular manga, which was serialized in Shogakukan's "CoroCoro Comic" and student magazines, has been made into an anime. The original author, Mayumi Muroyama, is a pen name for two sisters, and it is said that she used the actual story of their sisterly quarrel...

■Cast

・Clams/Miwa Katsue ・Tatami/Kawashima Chiyoko ・Mom/Mukai Mariko ・Dad/Toyama Kei ・Second-year student/Mori Koichi

■ Main staff

・Original story by Mayumi Muroyama ・Planning by Toshio Katsuta and Morihiro Kato ・Production by Hiroshi Takeda ・Screenplay by Tadaaki Yamazaki, Masaki Tsuji, Akiyoshi Sakai, and others ・Chief director by Osamu Kasai ・Direction by Kazumi Fukushima, Takenori Kawada, Osamu Sekita, and others ・Chief animator by Tadashi Shirakawa ・Chief designer by Eiji Ito ・Music by Hiroshi Tsutsui

■ Theme songs and music

・OP
・That girl is Asari-chan・Lyrics by Naoto Igai・Music by Asei Kobayashi・Arrangement by Masahisa Takeichi・Song by Yoko Maekawa, Korogi '73

・ED
・I am a girl・Lyrics by Jugo Sunahara・Music by Asei Kobayashi・Arrangement by Masahisa Takeichi・Song by Yoko Maekawa, Korogi '73

■ The charm of Asari-chan

"Asari-chan" depicts the protagonist Asari's struggles in her daily life with her older sister Tatami and her family. Although Asari is only mediocre, her efforts to not be outdone by her older sister Tatami captured the hearts of viewers. In particular, the interactions between the sisters and the warmth of the family are depicted, and many children were able to relate to their own relationships with their families and enjoy the story.

Another reason for its popularity is that the realistic depiction of events in school and home life made it easy for children at the time to relate to the story. Asari's struggle to get back up despite failure gave courage to children and inspired them to try their best.

■Production Background

"Asari-chan" is originally a manga by Mayumi Muroyama, who based her story on real-life interactions between sisters. This realistic portrayal was well received by readers and viewers, and is what led to the success of the series.

ANB, Toei Animation, and Toei Agency were involved in the production of the anime, with Osamu Kasai appointed as chief director. The script was written by Tadaaki Yamazaki, Masaki Tsuji, Akiyoshi Sakai, and others, and the music was by Hiroshi Tsutsui. This staff worked together to recreate the world of "Asari-chan" in the anime.

■ The appeal of the cast

The cast of "Asari-chan" was also an important factor in enhancing the appeal of the work. Miwa Katsue, who played the main character Asari, skillfully expressed her cheerfulness and energy, creating a character that was beloved by viewers. Kawashima Chiyoko, who played her older sister Tatami, also skillfully portrayed her as an honor student but also showed the occasional strictness that is characteristic of an older sister.

Additionally, Mariko Mukai and Kei Tomiyama, who played the parents, also portrayed their characters realistically, showing the warmth of the family. In particular, Kei Tomiyama, who played the father, made full use of his experience as a voice actor to portray the image of a hardworking father.

■ The appeal of the theme song

The theme song for "Asari-chan" was also an important element in enhancing the appeal of the work. The opening theme, "That Girl is Asari-chan," with lyrics by Igai Naoto, music by Kobayashi Asei, arrangement by Takeichi Masahisa, and vocals by Maekawa Yoko and Koorogi'73, captured the hearts of viewers with its bright and lively melody. Similarly, the ending theme, "I'm a Girl," with lyrics by Sunahara Jugo, music by Kobayashi Asei, arrangement by Takeichi Masahisa, and vocals by Maekawa Yoko and Koorogi'73, entertained and moved viewers.

■ Later impacts

"Asari-chan" continued to be loved by many fans even after the show ended. In particular, the release of DVDs and Blu-rays has allowed its appeal to be shared with a new generation. The original manga has also been reprinted, allowing many readers to enjoy it once again.

Furthermore, "Asahi-chan" has influenced later works as a story depicting the interactions between sisters and the warmth of a family. For example, "Chibi Maruko-chan" and "Crayon Shin-chan," which also depict the interactions between sisters, are said to have been influenced by "Asahi-chan."

■Recommendation details

"Asari-chan" is a nostalgic anime from the Showa era that is still loved by many fans today. It is especially recommended for those who like works that depict the interactions between sisters and the warmth of a family. It is also recommended for those who want to feel nostalgic as it is a work that realistically depicts the lives of children at that time.

Furthermore, "Asari-chan" is a work that gives courage to children as it depicts the protagonist Asari, who is mediocre but still works hard. It is also recommended for parents who want to teach their children the importance of working hard.

"Asari-chan" can be viewed on DVD and Blu-ray. The original manga has also been reprinted, so you can enjoy that as well. Please pick up this Showa masterpiece and enjoy it with nostalgic memories.