Ultra Granny of the Hitotsuboshi Family - A thorough review of a family story filled with surprising powers and humor

Ultra Granny from the Hitotsuboshi Family - Ultra Granny from the Hitotsuboshi Family

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

October 16, 1982 - January 15, 1983
October 16, 1982 to January 15, 1983 Every Saturday 19:00-19:30
26 episodes, 30 minutes each (2 episodes each)

■Broadcasting station

Yomiuri TV

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 13

■ Director

Masuji Harada

■ Production

Knack

■ Story

Tora is a Meiji-era-born grandma who is extremely energetic. She is actually a descendant of Tokugawa Ieyasu and is always stirring up chaos. Tora is part of the large Hitotsuboshi family, and together with her grandson Kenichi, son Eitarou, daughter Kinuko, and pet dog Antonio, she causes all kinds of trouble in every episode, but she also cherishes the love of her family. Tora's energy and humor will make viewers laugh and feel moved, and the show will make them realize the importance of family.

■Explanation

This is an original comedy piece produced by NAC that is a little different in that the main character is an old lady. (The original author, Akutagawa Meme, is the joint pen name of the production staff.) Each episode had a unique structure, with a parody guest of a real person. The opening credits were a mix of live action and clay animation. This work was highly praised as family entertainment in the Japanese animation industry of the 1980s. In particular, the character of Tora-baasan made a strong impression on viewers at the time, and created many fans. Each episode also contained different parodies and gags, making it enjoyable for both children and adults.

■Cast

・One-star Tiger/Yoneko Matsukane・One-star Kenichi/Mie Suzuki・One-star Eitaro/Michihiro Ikemizu・One-star Kinuko/Naoko Koda・One-star Todome/Run Sasaki

■ Main staff

・Producer: Nishino Seiichi・Producer: Toida Hirofumi・Supervision: Mitsunobu Hiroaki・Screenplay: Naka Hiroko, Sakagami Ikuji, Suga Yoshiyuki・Chief Director: Harada Masuji・Direction: Inoue Osamu, Yamazaki Tomomasa, Yamauchi Micha・Character Design: Kitahara Takeo・Special Effects: Tamada Rika・Animation Directors: Manabe Takumi, Saito Okimi, Kato Koji・Art Setting: Kudo Goichi・Art Director: Kawai Ken・Sound Director: Toshiki Toriumi, Matsuoka Yuki・Music: Yamamoto Masayuki・Cinematography: Nishimura T.・Adjustments: Takahashi Hisayoshi・Editing: Kakesu Shuichi, Matsumura Masahiro・Sound Effects: Kataoka Yozo・Development Laboratory: Tokyo Developing Laboratory・Animation Production: NAC・Production Cooperation: Shaft・Production: Yomiuri TV, NAC・OP1
・"Grandma Chamber"
Lyrics: Tetsuro Takahira; Music: Kenji Sawada; Arrangement: Tsugutoshi Goto; Singer: Yoneko Matsukane

・ED1
- "Ultra sa Badubya"
Lyrics: Tetsuro Takahira; Music: Kenji Sawada; Arrangement: Tsugutoshi Goto; Singer: Yoneko Matsukane

■ Main Characters

・Hitoshi Tora: A small-sized old lady with extraordinary power. She is actually the head of the Ultra Society, a family group of former secret agents that has been around since the Edo period. Tora uses her power and humor to get her family and those around her involved in all sorts of trouble, but deep down she has a strong love for her family. Tora's character makes viewers laugh and feel moved, and reminds them of the importance of family.

・Hitsuboshi Kenichi Tora's grandson. He is more energetic than most and gets along well with Tora. Although Kenichi gets caught up in Tora's troubles, he loves her and is always inspired by her energy. Kenichi's character resonates with children and depicts the bond between family members through his relationship with Tora.

・Hitotsubosi Eitaro is Tora's son and the bank branch manager. He and his wife Kimeko are both sensible people who are overwhelmed by the troubles caused by Tora and Kenichi. Even though Eitaro is at the mercy of Tora's troubles, he shows his dedication to his family and conveys to viewers the importance of family ties.

Antonio is the Hitotsubo family's dog, with a mean look and sunglasses. He is the only one who knows that Tora is the president of the Ultra Club. Antonio is the only one who knows Tora's secret, and through their relationship, Tora's character is portrayed even more deeply.

■Subtitle

Episode 1: "The Deadly Batchaman Kick" and "The Meshi-nuki Strike" (1982/10/16)
Episode 2: "Tora-san is a female boss" and "Stolen and buried" (1982/10/23)
Episode 3: "It's out! Toraronpa?" "Kinmuki Sensei" (1982/10/30)
Episode 4: "Umeboshi Candies" "Heaven or Hell? It all depends on the money" (1982/11/06)
Episode 5: "Childcare Survival" "Tomorrow Will Become Bigger" (1982/11/13)
Episode 6: "The Uspera Alien Appears" "Invincible! Toraron Puter" (1982/11/20)
Episode 7: "Destroy the Tutor" and "The Mystery of the Final Fat Ray" (1982/11/27)
Episode 8: "Kanzashi Triangle" "I Love Matchmaking" (1982/12/04)
Episode 9: "I Love Kidnapping" "3000 Leagues in Search of Mama Bird" (1982/12/11)
Episode 10: "The Targeted Elementary School" "Welcome, Yukio-chan" (1982/12/18)
Episode 11: "The Amazing Outdoor School" and "The American Adventure" (1982/12/25)
Episode 12: "Ultra Insect Chronicles" "The Crazy Big Game" (1983/01/08)
Episode 13: "To Love-Ru School Play" "The Flower Bride of the North Sea" (1983/01/15)

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・"Grandma Chamber"
Lyrics: Tetsuro Takahira; Music: Kenji Sawada; Arrangement: Tsugutoshi Goto; Singer: Yoneko Matsukane

・ED1
- "Ultra sa Badubya"
Lyrics: Tetsuro Takahira; Music: Kenji Sawada; Arrangement: Tsugutoshi Goto; Singer: Yoneko Matsukane

■ Evaluation

"Ultra Granny of the Hitotsuboshi Family" is an original comedy anime produced by NAC that aired from 1982 to 1983. It entertained viewers with its unique setting of the main character being a grandmother. Although the theme of this anime was family love, each episode included various parodies and gags, and it was supported by a wide range of people from children to adults. The character of Granny Tora is charming in that she is super energetic and has extraordinary power despite being born in the Meiji era. Her humor and power not only provide laughter to viewers, but also serve to remind them of the importance of family. In particular, the story of the family being thrown into turmoil by the turmoil caused by Tora, but ultimately deepening the family bond, moved viewers. In addition, this anime has a unique structure, such as having real people appear as parody guests in each episode, and it is designed to keep viewers from getting bored. The opening is a mixture of live action and clay animation, and is full of visually entertaining elements. The cast is also impressive, and Matsukane Yoneko's acting ability as a voice actor as Tora makes Tora's character even more appealing. Suzuki Mie as Kenichi, Ikemizu Michihiro as Eitaro, Koda Naoko as Kinuko, and Sasaki Run as Todome also vividly portray their respective characters, raising the quality of the entire work. The staff is also top-notch, and under the direction of Harada Masuji, the script, character design, music, and everything else is of a high standard. In particular, Yamamoto Masayuki's music plays an important role in livening up the atmosphere of the work. The theme songs are also impressive, with "Obaa Chamba" and "Ultra Sa Badubya" becoming memorable songs for viewers along with Matsukane Yoneko's singing voice. Overall, "Ultra Granny of the Hitotsuboshi Family" is a wonderful work that provides viewers with laughter and emotion as a comedy anime with the theme of family love. This work, which was highly praised as family entertainment even in the animation industry of the 1980s, is still loved by many fans today.

■Recommendation

"Ultra Granny of the Hitotsuboshi Family" is a comedy anime with the theme of family love that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. In particular, the story that values ​​family ties and the structure that includes different parodies and gags each time provide viewers with fresh surprises and laughter. The reasons for recommending this work are as follows. 1. **Depiction of family love**: The story of the family being tossed around by Granny Tora's commotion but ultimately deepening the family bond will move viewers. This work, which reminds viewers of the importance of family, is perfect for watching with the family. 2. **Unique structure**: The unique structure, such as having real people appear as parody guests each time, will keep viewers from getting bored. The opening is a mixture of live action and clay animation, and is full of visually entertaining elements. 3. **Luxurious cast and staff**: The acting skills of the cast, including Matsukane Yoneko who plays Tora, and the high quality of the staff, including director Harada Masuji, enhance the appeal of the entire work. 4. **Memorable theme song**: "Obaa Chamba" and "Ultra Sa Badubya", along with Matsukane Yoneko's singing voice, are memorable songs for viewers. 5. **Reputation in the 1980s animation industry**: This work was highly praised as family entertainment in the Japanese animation industry of the 1980s. The character of Tora-baasan made a strong impression on viewers at the time, and created many fans. For these reasons, "Ultra Granny of the Hitotsuse Family" is a comedy anime with the theme of family love that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. This is a work that is perfect for watching with the whole family, so we hope you will give it a try.