The appeal and evaluation of "The Story of a Fawn": A moving story and the depth of its characters

"The Story of a Fawn" - A story of nature and growth

The Yearling is a 52-episode anime series that aired on NHK from 1983 to 1985. The series is based on the classic children's book The Yearling by American author Marjorie Keenan Rawlings, and is set in Florida in 1807. It tells the heartwarming story of the growth of a young boy named Jody and his pet fawn, Flagg.

story

Florida, USA, 1807. 12-year-old Jody, the only son of a pioneer family, lives his days in the harsh yet beautiful natural environment. One day, Jody's father shoots and kills a female deer, only to discover that it has a baby. Feeling sorry for the baby deer left behind, Jody begins to raise it. The timid Jody spends happy times with the baby deer, whom he names Flagg, and grows into a strong man.

Commentary

"The Yearling" is a family-friendly animal animation that depicts the growth of a young boy named Jody in the American wilderness. It is based on the classic children's book "The Yearling" by American author Marjorie Keenan Rawlings, and is known as an early digital animation, with the opening and ending credits as well as the second episode drawn and colored using CG. This work depicts humans coexisting with nature and the lessons we can learn through growth, making it a work that is loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults.

cast

・Jodie/Yoshiko Ota・Fodawing/Keiko Toda・Ellery/Yumi Takada・Twink Sensei/Eiko Masuyama・Kirk/Ryuji Kai・Benny/Shoji Kobayashi・Olly/Reiko Muto・Buck/Hiroshi Masuoka・Gabby/Shunji Yamada・Millwheel/Osamu Kato・Rem/Naoki Tatsuta

Main Staff

・Original story by Marjorie Keenan Rawlings・Screenplay by Yukimuro Shunichi, Osumi Masaaki, Tachi Eiichi, Yoshikawa Souji・Director by Kageyama Yasuo, Tsuji Shinichi, Koshi Shigeo, Morita Hiromitsu, Hirata Toshio・Chief animation directors by Seki Shuichi, Kosako Yoshishige, Momose Yoshiyuki, Tsuji Shinichi, Kotabe Yoichi・Producers by Hirota Yoshiro, Watanabe Tadami, Ishiguro Koichi・Character design by Seki Shuichi・Music by Sugiyama Koichi, Kamiyama Junichi・Production cooperation by MK・Production by Kodansha


・Theme song
OP
"Hello Tomorrow"
Lyrics by Keisuke Yamakawa, Composition and Arrangement by Koichi Sugiyama, Vocals by Keiko Toda

ED
"Stars are falling from the sky"
Lyrics by Keisuke Yamakawa, Composition and Arrangement by Koichi Sugiyama, Vocals by Masaki Takanashi

Main Characters

Jodie
A 12-year-old boy. He was originally a gentle and timid boy, but after he started keeping a baby fawn called Flagg, he began to change into a bright and innocent boy.

・Fodawing Jodie's best friend, a mischievous boy who is good at taming animals.

-Twink Teacher A female teacher who teaches Judy.

・Ellery A girl who is good friends with Judy.

subtitle

Episode 1: The day I met the fawnEpisode 2: My best friend became a birdEpisode 3: Our teacherEpisode 4: From the town to the forestEpisode 5: The smallest classroom in the worldEpisode 6: Rainy days are SundaysEpisode 7: Runaway dog ​​DashEpisode 8: The little house with the big treeEpisode 9: Mr. Twink rides a horseEpisode 10: Wild boar boyEpisode 11: My little brotherEpisode 12: The waterwheel in the eyesEpisode 13: The flag that was taken from attendanceEpisode 14: The two left behindEpisode 1 Episode 5 / Thank you for the measles・Episode 16 / Resurrection party・Episode 17 / Homework from Boston・Episode 18 / Boston is America too・Episode 19 / Two little college students・Episode 20 / Fountain in a dream・Episode 21 / Flag Yuki from Boston・Episode 22 / Big Brother Back's necklace・Episode 23 / Mischievous flag・Episode 24 / Ellery's pet・Episode 25 / The house next door of the phantom・Episode 26 / Boy from the town・Episode 27 / The Post That Calls for Rain・Episode 28: Three in the Storm・Episode 29: A Little Adventure・Episode 30: I'm Your Brother and Brother・Episode 31: The Bride of the Forest・Episode 32: My Dad Became a Wolf・Episode 33: The Twelve Little Bears・Episode 34: The Disappeared Gift・Episode 35: The Showdown with Sluefoot・Episode 36: The Lone Wolf・Episode 37: The Eleven-Year-Old Dog・Episode 38: Mom's Concert・Episode 39: The Day Jodie Rides the Wild Horse・Episode 40: The Big I don't want to be a human. Episode 41: Spring wind for Ellery. Episode 42: Flag and the gray fox. Episode 43: Sun in the night sky. Episode 44: We are godfathers. Episode 45: The goodbye whistle. Episode 46: Double the joy, half the sadness. Episode 47: Best friends since age two. Episode 48: The phantom Spaniard. Episode 49: The missing corn. Episode 50: Fodowing flying in the sky. Episode 51: Fodowing's gift. Episode 52: Flag in the rainbow.

Appeal of the work

"The Story of a Little Deer" is a work that depicts the coexistence of humans and nature, and teaches lessons on growth, especially to children. The process of Jodie meeting the little deer Flag and growing up together with him is moving to the viewer. It is also notable as an early digital animation, and the drawing and coloring of the opening and ending credits were done with CG, showing the technological innovation of the time.

Jodie's coming-of-age story not only gives courage and hope to children, but also reminds adults of the importance of coexisting with nature. In particular, the way Jodie learns about responsibility and love through the time she spends with Flagg resonates with many viewers. In addition, Jodie's best friend Fodderwing, Mr. Twink, Ellery and other charming characters also enrich the story.

music

The music was composed by Koichi Sugiyama and Junichi Kamiyama, and the theme songs "Hello Tomorrow" and "Stars Fall from the Sky" have melodies that resonate deeply with viewers. In particular, the opening theme "Hello Tomorrow" sung by Keiko Toda has impressive lyrics and melody that symbolize Jodie's growth and hope. Additionally, the ending theme "Stars Fall from the Sky" sung by Masaki Takanashi is a beautiful song that enhances the moving story.

Background

"The Fawn" is a joint production by Kodansha and MK, and directed by Masaaki Ohsumi. The original work is a classic children's book by Marjorie Keenan Rawlings, and many staff members poured their passion into animating its beautiful depictions of nature and the coming-of-age story of the young boy, Jody. In particular, the incorporation of CG into this early digital animation symbolizes the technological innovation of the time, and can be seen as the result of a pursuit of visual beauty.

Viewers' reactions

"The Fawn" was loved by many viewers when it was first broadcast. Children were particularly touched by the friendship between Jodie and Flagg, and adults were reminded of the importance of coexisting with nature. As an early digital animation, it also attracted attention for its technical aspects and was highly praised by viewers. Even today, it continues to be loved by many fans through reruns and DVD releases.

Recommended points

"The Fawn" is a touching story about the coexistence of humans and nature, and is a work that teaches lessons for growth, especially for children. It is full of many charms, such as the friendship between Jodie and Flagg, the technical aspects of this early digital animation, and beautiful music. Please watch it with your family and feel the importance of coexisting with nature. The lessons learned in the process of growth will teach many things not only to children but also to adults.

This work is a masterpiece that depicts the beauty of nature and human growth, and is sure to give viewers inspiration and hope. Please enjoy the heartwarming story of Jodie and Flagg through "The Fawn."