Head Over Heels for Bobby - A thorough review of the fascinating characters and depth of the story

Bobby's Adventure - A Story of Youth and Motorcycles

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

novel

■ Release date

March 9, 1985 - January 1, 0000

■Distribution company

Toei

■ Eirin Number

24954

■Frequencies

44 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Yoshio Kataoka

■ Director

Toshio Hirata

■ Production

Production company: Project Team Argos, Madhouse Production: Kadokawa Haruki Corporation

■ Story

Nomura Akihiko, commonly known as Bobby, is a third-year high school student who rides a blue 250cc motorcycle. Suddenly, he receives a letter from Nakahara Sakimi in Okayama. Sakimi happened to know about Bobby in a motorcycle magazine. As summer vacation was approaching, Bobby took a day off from school to start a part-time job. When his father Tamotsu found out about this, he left home and stayed at his friend Kubota Yukio's apartment. His younger sister Yoshiko delivered the letter from Sakimi. Bobby replied to the letter saying "I'm lonely" by saying "Please call me." On August 10, the day Sakimi called, Bobby was invited by Kida, the master of his part-time job, to go on a tour. There, the motocross team led by Kida was practicing. As the time for his appointment with Sakimi drew near, a truck blocked Bobby's way on his motorcycle, and his body flew into the air.

■Explanation

A theatrical anime film based on Yoshio Kataoka's novel. It was shown alongside "Kamui no Ken." The catchphrase was "Do you hate sudden things...?"

■Cast

・Akihiko Nomura (Bobby)/Hironobu Nomura/Kida/Jinpachi Nezu/Sakimi Nakahara/Hiromi Murata/Yoshiko Nomura/Mayumi Shimizu/Yukio Kubota/Ryo Horikawa/Tamotsu Nomura/Nobuo Tsukamoto

■ Main staff

Director: Toshio Hirata Screenplay: Shiro Ishimori Original story: Yoshio Kataoka Producer: Haruki Kadokawa Producer: Masao Maruyama, Yasuteru Iwase Production: Project Team Argos, Madhouse Character design: Akimi Yoshida, Seizo Watase Animation director: Manabu Ohashi Cinematography: Kinichi Ishikawa Art: Mamoru Masaki, Akira Yamakawa Music producers: Tadao Takakuwa, Hikaru Ishikawa, Susumu Aketagawa Sound recordist: Ichiro Tsujii Sound effects: Hideyo Sasaki Assistant director: Yukio Suzuki

■ Theme songs and music

・IN
"Rock'n Roll for Bobby"
Lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto, Music by Yoshitaka Minami, Arrangement by Masaaki Omura, Vocals by Hironobu Nomura, Ending theme
"BOBBY'S GIRL"
Vocals: Mayumi Shimizu

■ Review

"Bobby" is a coming-of-age anime film released in 1985, based on the novel of the same name by Yoshio Kataoka. The film depicts the struggles of youth and the passion for motorcycles, and resonated strongly with young people at the time. Director Toshio Hirata succeeded in expressing the realistic youthful feeling of the original novel through the medium of animation, achieving both visual beauty and depth of story.

The protagonist, Nomura Akihiko, aka Bobby, is a high school senior who is crazy about motorcycles and embodies the typical image of a young man who is torn between the freedom and constraints of youth. His passion for motorcycles is not just a hobby, but is depicted as a means to find his own meaning in life. In particular, his actions after receiving the letter from Sakimi symbolize the instability and purity of youth.

The appeal of this work lies above all in its music. The opening theme, "Rock'n Roll for Bobby," is an exquisite match of Hironobu Nomura's powerful voice and Takashi Matsumoto's lyrics, and speaks for Bobby's inner cry. Meanwhile, Mayumi Shimizu's gentle voice in the ending theme, "BOBBY'S GIRL," enhances the lingering impression of the story and deeply moves the viewer.

The character designs were created by Akimi Yoshida and Seizo Watase, and the stylish visuals reflect the trends of the 1980s. The scenes where Bobby rides his bike are particularly notable for their speed and beauty, and the animation techniques have been highly praised. In addition, the detailed depictions by animation director Manabu Ohashi have succeeded in realistically expressing the emotions of the characters and drawing out the viewers' sympathy.

While the storyline follows a classic coming-of-age film formula, the clever incorporation of a motorcycle element gives it a fresh feel. The scene in which Bobby speeds along on his motorcycle to fulfill his promise to Sakimi is full of tension and thrills, drawing the viewer in. The collision scene with the truck also carries a deep message, symbolizing the peril of youth and the consequences of a quick decision.

This work not only depicts the struggles of youth and passion for motorcycles, but also universal themes such as family relationships, friendship, and love. Various human relationships are depicted, such as Bobby's feud with his father, his bond with his friends, and his faint love for Sakimi, so viewers will be able to empathize with the characters and relate to their own youth.

The contrast with "Kamui's Sword," which was shown at the same time, is also not to be missed. While "Kamui's Sword" depicts a grand story with a historical background, "Bobby's Head" realistically depicts modern youth, and the two works complement each other. By watching these two works together, viewers will be able to enjoy stories from different eras and themes.

■Recommendation

"Bobby" has been highly praised as a youthful animated film, and is highly recommended for motorcycle enthusiasts and those interested in 1980s culture. The story, which depicts the struggles and passions of youth, will resonate with a wide range of generations, not just young people. The music and character designs are also full of highlights, making it a film that can be enjoyed both visually and aurally.

When watching this film, please pay attention to the opening and ending theme songs. Also, pay attention to Bobby's bike scene and the facial expressions of the characters, and feel the director and staff's attention to detail. Furthermore, you can gain a deeper understanding and enjoyment by watching it while comparing it with the film "Kamui no Ken" which was screened at the same time.

"Bobby's the Movie" is a timeless masterpiece that depicts the brilliance and suffering of youth, and is a work that you will want to watch over and over again. I hope that you will look back on your own youth through this work and rediscover the beauty of passion for motorcycles, friendship, and love.