A Zoo Without Elephants: A unique story and fascinating characters that defy expectations

A zoo without elephants - Elephant-free zoo

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Picture books

■ Release date

March 20, 1982 - January 1, 0000

■Distribution company

Nippon Herald Films

■ Eirin Number

110668

■Frequencies

78 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■ Director

・Director: Tsuneo Maeda

■ Production

Produced by: Herald Enterprises, Group Tac Produced by: Hirozo Furukawa, Atsumi Tashiro

■Works

©NIPPON HERALD FILMS, INC.

■ Story

Many animals were killed because of the war. This story is based on a true story. In 1943, as the war intensified, many animals were killed one after another at the zoo because it was dangerous for them to escape into the city due to bombings. This film depicts the tragic events of that time and how, after the war ended, the passion of children living bravely in the ruins, wanting to "see an elephant", finally moved the Indian Prime Minister and government to have the elephants brought over.

■Cast

・Fujio Tokita, Masako Nozawa, Tetsuya Kaji, Ryuji Kai, and Tadao Futami

■ Main staff

Director: Tsuneo Maeda Scriptwriter: Ren Saito Character design: Shinji Nagashima Music: Kuni Kawachi Lyricist: Toyohisa Araki Producer: Toju Udagawa Producers: Hirozo Furukawa, Atsumi Tashiro Planning: Jun Shinozaki, Masaaki Ito Cooperation: Ueno Zoo Production cooperation: Cinema Work, Tokyu Recreation Production: Herald Enterprises, Group TAC

■ Related works

・Selected by the Ministry of Education, ・Recommended by the Governor of Tokyo, ・Recommended by the Central Child Welfare Council, ・Recommended by the Central Youth Organizations Liaison Council, ・Special recommendation by the Japan PTA National Council, ・Recommended by the Youth Film Council

Zoo without Elephants - Reviews and Recommendations

"Zoo Without Elephants" is a Japanese animated film released in 1982, which depicts the tragedy of war and the pure wishes of children in the background. This film is based on a true story of animals in a zoo being killed by war, and depicts the cruelty of war and human hope. Below, we will provide a detailed review and recommendation of this film.

Depth and emotion of the story

"A Zoo Without Elephants" begins with the tragic event of zoo animals being killed as a result of the war. In 1943, many of the zoo animals were killed to prevent them from escaping into the city due to the risk of the Great Tokyo Air Raids. While depicting this tragic event, the film also tells a story of hope and rebirth through the pure wish of children living in the burnt-out ruins after the war ended: "I want to see elephants."

Particularly impressive is the process in which the children send letters to the Indian Prime Minister and government, and finally invite the elephant to Japan. This episode shows how the pure hearts and drive of children can have a big impact, and deeply moves the audience. The contrast between the tragedies of war and the hopes of children gives the story depth and emotion.

Character Appeal

The film's characters are mainly children who have been directly affected by the war. In particular, the main characters are portrayed as children who never lose hope and continue to pursue their dream of seeing elephants, even amid the horror and hardships of war. Their purity and strength leave a strong impression on the audience.

The voice actors, including Fujio Tsuneda, Masako Nozawa, Tetsuya Kaji, Ryuji Kai, and Tadao Futami, also perform brilliantly, expressing the emotions of the characters realistically. In particular, the children's voice actors play difficult roles that combine the fear and hope of war, further deepening the moving impact of the film.

Visuals and Music

The imagery in "A Zoo Without Elephants" is cleverly used to contrast the horrors of war with the hopes of children. The war scenes feature dark tones and desolate landscapes, while the children's scenes feature bright tones and hopeful landscapes. This contrast visually reinforces the theme of the story.

Music is also an important element in enhancing the emotional impact of the story. The music by Kuni Kawachi and the theme song with lyrics by Toyohisa Araki symbolize the pure hearts and hopes of children, and touch the hearts of the audience. In particular, the music in the scene where the elephant arrives in Japan creates a moving climax.

Credit to the director and staff

Director Tsuneo Maeda has skillfully depicted the tragedy of war and the hopes of children in this film. Director Maeda's direction deeply moves the audience by contrasting the horror of war with the pure hearts of children. Screenwriter Ren Saito has also skillfully constructed a story that depicts the tragedy of war and the hopes of children, further deepening the impact of the film.

Character designer Shinji Nagashima also succeeded in realistically depicting the children's expressions and movements, allowing the audience to empathize with them. In addition, the cooperation of the staff, including producers Hirozo Furukawa and Atsumi Tashiro, producer Toju Udagawa, planners Jun Shinozaki and Masaaki Ito, cooperation with Ueno Zoo, production cooperation with Cinema Work and Tokyu Recreation, and production companies Herald Enterprises and Group TAC, was also an important factor in enhancing the quality of the film.

Related works and reviews

"The Zoo Without Elephants" has received many awards, including a selection from the Ministry of Education, a recommendation from the Tokyo Metropolitan Governor, a recommendation from the Central Child Welfare Council, a recommendation from the Central Council of Youth Organizations, a special recommendation from the Japan PTA National Council, and a recommendation from the Youth Film Council, and has been highly praised for its educational value and moving story. These accolades demonstrate that the film is an important work that conveys the tragedies and hope of war to children.

Recommendation

"Zoo Without Elephants" is a moving animated film that depicts the tragedy of war and the hopes of children. It depicts the pure hearts and drive of children directly affected by war, deeply moving the audience. In addition, the film also skillfully uses images and music to further deepen the impact of the story. This film is a must-see for adults as well as children, and is an important work that conveys the tragedies and hopes of war. Please experience this moving story at the theater.