"Gu-Gu Ganmo" review: A unique world view and a moving story

"Googoo Gunmo": A hilarious journey of dreams and adventure

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

comics

■ Release date

March 16, 1985 - January 1, 0000

■Distribution company

CX

■ Eirin Number

24946

■Frequencies

45 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Fujihiko Hosono

■ Director

Akinori Nagaoka

■ Production

Toei (video)

■ Story

Ganmo was born from a bamboo, and Hanpeita was born from a peach. The man and the dog, calling themselves "the real Momotaro" and "the original Momotaro," end up going to Onigashima to defeat the demons, as per the fairy tale. However, the demons attack the sailing ship, and it goes to the bottom of the sea - they arrive at Ryugu Castle. There they find Tsukune, dressed as a palace maid, and Princess Otohime's Ayumi. Princess Otohime asks them to retrieve the treasure on Onigashima. Ganmo and Hanpeita somehow transform into Ushiwakamaru and Issunboshi to fight the demons. The demons are not giving up either. They transform into the Little Match Girl to seduce Ganmo, or turn into Gulliver to attack. Ganmo and Hanpeita escape from the world of "Jack and the Beanstalk" into the sky, and finally to the moon... The man and the dog's ridiculous and unusual journey continues, carrying with them endless dreams.

■Explanation

The first movie version of the popular TV anime "GU-GU Ganmo." A comedy manga with the main character being "Ganmo," a new wave bird that can understand human language, but is also a bird. The original story was written by Hosono Fujihiko, the screenplay by Tsuchiya Tokio, the director was Nagaoka Akinori, and the cinematographer was Tamagawa Yoshiyuki.

■Cast

Kazuko Sugiyama Mayumi Tanaka Yuko Mita Yu Mizushima Kaneto Shiozawa Miki Takahashi Shigeru Chiba

■ Main staff

・Executive Producer: Tomonori Imada・Producer: Kenji Yokoyama・Original Story: Fujihiko Hosono・Screenplay: Tokio Tsuchiya・Director: Akinori Nagaoka・Cinematography: Yoshiyuki Tamagawa・Chief Animation Director: Toshiyuki Inoue・Music: Hiroshi Ogasawara・Art: Yoshiyuki Shikano

The appeal and evaluation of "Goo Gu Gan Mo"

"Go-Gu Ganmo" is a theatrical animation based on the gag manga by Fujihiko Hosono, released in 1985. This work is known for pursuing a bolder story development and visual expression, backed by the popularity of the TV anime series. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal and evaluation of this work.

The appeal of the story

The story of "Gu-Gu Ganmo" centers around the unique characters of Ganmo and Hanpeita. The setting in which Ganmo was born from a bamboo and Hanpeita from a peach cleverly incorporates existing Japanese fairy tales while building a unique worldview. The two of them call themselves "Honke Momotaro" and "Ganso Momotaro" and begin their adventure to Onigashima, providing a fresh surprise to viewers.

The story begins with an adventure to Onigashima Island, then moves on to Ryugu-jo Castle and the world on the moon. Along the way, Ganmo and Hanpeita transform into various characters and embark on a variety of adventures. Fairy tales and legends from around the world, such as Ushiwakamaru, Issun-boshi, The Little Match Girl, and Gulliver, appear one after another, keeping the audience entertained. There are also plenty of fantasy elements, such as a scene where they escape from the world of Jack and the Beanstalk into the sky.

This kind of story development is enjoyable for both children and adults, and Fujihiko Hosono's unique humor and creativity can be felt throughout. In particular, the bizarre journey of Ganmo and Hanpeita provides viewers with both laughter and emotion, maximizing the appeal of the story.

Character Appeal

Ganmo and Hanpeita are the central characters of this work. Ganmo is a bird that can understand human language, and his humorous words and actions attract viewers. Meanwhile, Hanpeita, Ganmo's partner, is portrayed as a brave and righteous character. The combination of these two provides viewers with laughter and emotion.

Tsukune and Princess Ayumioto of Ryugu-jo are also important characters. Tsukune, dressed as a court lady, supports Ganmo and Hanpeita on their adventure, while Princess Ayumioto plays an important role in retrieving the treasure of Onigashima. These characters enrich the story and stir the emotions of the viewer.

Furthermore, the characters of the demons are also fascinating. Although the demons are depicted as enemies standing in the way of Ganmo and Hanpeita, their transformations and attack methods are humorous and entertaining to the audience. In particular, the scenes in which they transform into the Little Match Girl and Gulliver provide fresh surprises to the audience.

Visual and musical appeal

The visuals of "Go-Gu Ganmo" faithfully reproduce Fujihiko Hosono's original manga, while being luxuriously rendered in a theatrical version. The character designs of Ganmo and Hanpeita are rendered as more vivid and dynamic animations while retaining the humorous atmosphere of the original. Additionally, the backgrounds of the Dragon Palace and the Moon World are beautifully drawn, enhancing the visual appeal.

The music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. Hiroshi Ogasawara's music effectively creates the thrill of the adventure and humorous scenes. In particular, the background music that livens up the adventures of Ganmo and Hanpeita elevates the viewer's emotions and adds depth to the development of the story.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Gu-Gu Ganmo" is highly acclaimed as a work filled with Fujihiko Hosono's unique humor and creativity. All elements, including the story development, the charm of the characters, and the expressiveness of the visuals and music, attract and entertain the viewer. This work is recommended for a wide range of audiences, from children to adults.

This is a must-see for fans of fantasy and comedy. Ganmo and Hanpeita's hilarious adventures provide viewers with laughter and emotion, enhancing the appeal of the story to the fullest. In addition, scenes featuring fairy tales and legends from around the world provide fresh surprises for viewers and add depth to the story.

Furthermore, the film faithfully reproduces Fujihiko Hosono's original novel while providing the lavish presentation that only a theatrical film can provide. The film's visual and musical appeal has also been highly praised, providing a visual and auditory treat. The combination of these elements makes Goo Gu Ganmo a film that provides viewers with an unforgettable experience.

As mentioned above, "Go-Gu Ganmo" is an excellent work in terms of story, characters, visuals and music, and can be recommended to a wide range of people. It is recommended not only for those who like fantasy and comedy, but also for those who enjoy the artistry of animation. Please watch this work and enjoy the ridiculous journey of Ganmo and Hanpeita.