Review of "Sasuga no Sarutobi": Surprising plot and characters that exceed expectations

"Sasuga no Sarutobi": A monumental ninja comedy anime of the 80s

■Overview of the work

Sasuga no Sarutobi is a TV anime series that aired from 1982 to 1984, based on the manga of the same name by Fujihiko Hosono. The 69-episode anime aired on Fuji TV every Sunday from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. It was produced by NAS and the copyright belongs to Fujihiko Hosono, Shogakukan, and NAS.

■ Story

"Sasuga no Sarutobi" is set in Shinobi High School, a ninja training institution. Sarutobi Nikumaru, the grandson of the school's founder and a genius ninja with a plump figure and a lewd personality, transfers to the school. Together with his childhood friend Mako-chan, a beautiful girl, and other unique characters, Nikumaru unfolds a love comedy full of gags and action. The voice actors include a stellar lineup, including Mitsuya Yuji, Shimazu Saeko, and Mita Yuko.

■Explanation

"Sarutobi Sasuga" is a ninja action comedy starring the main character Sarutobi Nikumaru, a short, fat, big eater. Nikumaru's humorous character and the adventures of his unique companions will entertain viewers. The series is characterized by its unique style of combining comedy and action, which was rare for 80s anime, and has attracted many fans.

■ Main staff

The director was Koichi Sasaki, the series composition was Tsuyoshi Shuto, the character design and animation director was Hiroji Kanazawa, the art director was Jiro Kono, the music was Joe Hisaishi, and the sound was Shigeharu Shiba. These staff members worked together to create the unique world view and charm of "Sarutobi Sasuga".

■Character Introduction

Sarutobi Nikumaru

The main character is a genius ninja who transferred to Shinobi High School and is the grandson of the school's founder. He is short, fat, and a big eater, and he also has a perverted personality. However, he solves many problems with his humorous character and ninja skills. He is voiced by Mitsuya Yuji.

Mako-chan

A beautiful ninja girl and childhood friend of Nikumaru. Although she is often at the mercy of Nikumaru's lewd behavior, she is an important character who supports him. Her voice actor is Saeko Shimazu.

Other characters

Many other unique characters also appear in "Sarutobi Sasuga." For example, the ninja Fuma Kotaro, Nikumaru's rival, and the ninja Kirigakure Saizō, Nikumaru's friend. These characters perform various gags and actions together with Nikumaru.

■ The appeal of anime

A fusion of comedy and action

The greatest appeal of "Sasuga no Sarutobi" is how it skillfully combines comedy and action. Nikumaru's humorous actions and the dialogue between the unique characters will make viewers laugh. On the other hand, the action scenes that make full use of the ninja's skills are also not to be missed. The balance between comedy and action is exquisite, so viewers will never get bored.

Character Appeal

The characters in "Sarutobi Sasuga" are all unique and charming. In particular, the main character, Nikumaru, is short, fat, and a big eater, but he demonstrates his skills as a genius ninja. In addition, the characters surrounding Nikumaru, such as Mako-chan, Fuuma Kotaro, and Kirigakure Saizō, are also charming in their own way and draw the viewers in.

The appeal of music

The music for "Sarutobi Sasuga" was composed by Joe Hisaishi. His music enhances the worldview of the anime and stirs the emotions of the viewers. The opening and ending themes in particular are memorable masterpieces.

■ Evaluation and impact

"Sarutobi Sasuga" gained many fans with its unique fusion of comedy and action, which was rare for 80s anime. In particular, the humorous character of the main character, Nikumaru, and the unique characters surrounding him were loved by viewers. Joe Hisaishi's music also became an important element in enhancing the appeal of the anime.

The influence of Sarutobi Sasuga can be seen in later anime. The style that combined gags and action was adopted in later anime works and entertained many viewers. Humorous characters such as Nikumaru also influenced later anime works.

■ Recommendation points

People who like comedy and action

"Sarutobi Sasuga" is an anime that skillfully combines comedy and action. Nikumaru's humorous actions and the dialogue between the unique characters will make viewers laugh. On the other hand, the action scenes that make full use of his ninja skills are also not to be missed. This is a work that I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes comedy and action.

People who like 80's anime

"Sarutobi Sasuga" has gained many fans with its unique style of combining comedy and action, which was rare for 80s anime. If you like 80s anime, this is a work I would definitely recommend. Joe Hisaishi's music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of the anime.

People who like ninja stuff

"Sarutobi Sasuga" is an anime set in the "Ninja High School", a ninja training institution. The ninjas, including the main character Nikumaru, engage in comedy and action. This is a work that I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes ninja stuff.

■ Summary

"Sarutobi Sasuga" is a monumental ninja comedy anime of the 80s. The style that skillfully combines comedy and action and the exploits of unique characters entertains viewers. Joe Hisaishi's music is also an important element that enhances the charm of the anime. This is a work that I would highly recommend to people who like comedy and action, people who like 80s anime, and people who like ninja stuff.