A thorough review of the first TV series about the professional golfer monkey! A look at the monkey's golfing skills

"Professional Golfer Saru": The world of golf depicted in Fujiko Fujio A's masterpiece

"Professional Golfer Saru" is a TV anime series based on the original work by Fujiko Fujio A, and was broadcast on TV Asahi from April 2, 1985 to June 13, 1988. It was a long-running series with 153 episodes in total, and while it was based on the sport of golf, it was loved by many fans as an entertaining work that mixed humor and action. In this article, we will take a closer look at the appeal and highlights of "Professional Golfer Saru," as well as its background and influence.

Overview

The protagonist of "Professional Golfer Saru" is a wild child named Sarutani Sarumaru who lives in the countryside with his mother and five siblings. He looks just like a monkey and calls himself a "professional golfer" using a homemade driver carved from a tree root to play golf for money against amateurs at a nearby golf course. One day, Sarumaru's golfing technique catches the eye of Mr. X, the shadowy leader of the golf world, who sends many unique assassins to try to get Sarumaru to join his team. However, Sarumaru manages to fend off the challenges with his technique, quick wit, and sometimes good luck.

Background

"Pro Golfer Saru" is based on the manga of the same name by Fujiko Fujio A, and was serialized in "Weekly Shonen Sunday" from 1974 to 1983. Due to the popularity of the original work, it was decided to make it into a TV anime in 1985, and it was broadcast as a joint production by TV Asahi, Asahi Tsushinsha, and Shin-Ei Animation. The director was Nishimura Junji, the script was written by Shiroyama Noboru and Matsuoka Seiji, the animation director was Motohashi Hideyuki, and the music was by Tsutsui Hiroshi. Studio Deen also participated as a production partner.

Character Introduction

The protagonist, Sarumaru Sarutani, is voiced by Kyoko Tonmiya, who portrays his unique character in an appealing way. Sarumaru's family includes Nakamaru Sarutani (voiced by Sanae Takagi), Daimaru Sarutani (voiced by Atsuko Mine), Komaru Sarutani (voiced by Eriko Hara), his mother (voiced by Akiko Takamura), and his older sister (voiced by Rumiko Ukai). In addition, many other unique characters appear, including Sarumaru's friends Goemon (voiced by Atsuko Mine), Otchan (voiced by Kosei Tomita), Wakaba (voiced by Mitsuko Horie), and Mr. X (voiced by Kenji Utsumi), who is a key figure in the story.

Stories and episodes

The story of "Professional Golfer Saru" depicts Sarumaru's growth as he confronts Mr. X's assassins. Each episode introduces various golf techniques and strategies, conveying the appeal of golf to viewers while also incorporating humor and action. Below are some episodes.

• Episode 1 "The Magnificent World's Lone Wolf" (aired April 2, 1985): This is the episode where Sarumaru first confronts an assassin from Mr. X. This is an episode where Sarumaru's golf technique and good luck shine.
• Episode 2 "Kong's Golf Killing Technique" (aired on April 9, 1985): An episode in which Sarumaru faces off against the powerful assassin "Kong." Kong's intense power and Sarumaru's quick thinking are the highlights.
• Episode 3 "A Challenge from a Genius Boy" (aired April 16, 1985): Sarumaru faces off against a genius golfer. Not only does it show technique, it also shows psychological warfare.
• Episode 4 "Horror!! Jigokudani Golf Course" (aired April 23, 1985): Sarumaru has a frightening experience at Jigokudani Golf Course. The difficulty of the golf course and Sarumaru's courage are depicted.
• Episode 5 "Blindfolded Putting Iaido-uchi" (broadcast on April 30, 1985): An episode in which Sarumaru putts blindfolded. The highlights are Sarumaru's concentration and technique.

In this way, each episode depicts Sarumaru's growth, the display of new techniques, and battles with unique characters. Despite being a long-running series with 153 episodes in total, the story development and the appeal of the characters kept viewers hooked.

The appeal and highlights of anime

The greatest appeal of "Professional Golfer Saru" is the entertaining story that combines humor and action, even though it is based on the sport of golf. Sarumaru's unique character and the interactions with the unique characters surrounding him create laughter in the work. In addition, golf techniques and strategies are described in detail, making it enjoyable for golf enthusiasts as well.

Furthermore, it is also worth watching as a story of Sarumaru's growth. At first, Sarumaru plays golf for money against amateurs, but as he takes on Mr. X's assassins, he gradually becomes stronger, which is inspiring to viewers. The story also depicts Sarumaru's bond with his family and friends, making it an enjoyable human drama.

Music and Video

The music for "Professional Golfer Saru" was composed by Hiroshi Tsutsui. The opening theme, "Professional Golfer Saru no Theme," is a light-hearted tune that enlivens Sarumaru's exploits and has captured the hearts of viewers. The ending theme, "Golf is Fun," is also a cheerful song that conveys the fun of golf.

The visuals are realistic, depicting the beautiful scenery of the golf course and Sarumaru's techniques. In particular, the scenes of Sarumaru's driver shots and putting are visually enjoyable. Another highlight is the unique character designs that appear in each episode.

Impact and Evaluation

"Professional Golfer Saru" was loved by many viewers as an anime themed on the sport of golf. It was especially well-received by golf enthusiasts, and is said to have played a part in popularizing the sport. In addition, the story, which combines humor and action, was accepted by a wide range of people, from children to adults, and it became a successful long-running series.

Furthermore, while faithfully recreating the original work by Fujiko Fujio A, the series added its own unique appeal to anime, which earned it high praise from fans of the original work. Many elements captivated viewers, including Sarumaru's character, the dialogue between the unique characters, and the depiction of golf techniques and strategies.

Recommendations and how to watch

"Professional Golfer Saru" is recommended not only for golf lovers, but also for viewers who want to enjoy humor and action. Although it is a long-running series with 153 episodes, each episode is independent, so you can enjoy it no matter where you start. In addition, it is worth watching as a story of Sarumaru's growth, so we recommend watching the entire series.

As for how to watch it, DVDs and Blu-rays are available, so you can purchase them and watch them. Also, some episodes are available on video streaming services, so you can use those too. In addition, the original manga has been reprinted, so you can learn the background and details of the anime by reading it.

summary

"Professional Golfer Saru" is a TV anime series based on the masterpiece by Fujiko Fujio A. It is an entertaining work that combines humor and action while focusing on the sport of golf. Many elements have attracted viewers, such as Sarumaru's growth story, the dialogue between the unique characters, and the depiction of golf techniques and strategies. It is a work that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people, not just golf enthusiasts, and is sure to continue to be loved by many viewers in the future.