High School! Kimengumi - Explosive entertainment of youth and laughter

High School! Kimengumi - A monumental 80s comedy anime

In the late 1980s, the world of television anime produced many masterpieces. One that particularly stands out among them is "High School! Kimengumi," which aired from 1985 to 1987. This anime captivated viewers with its unique characters and slapstick gags, and was hugely popular among children at the time. In this article, we will take a closer look at the appeal and background of this anime, as well as its subsequent influence.

■Overview of the work

"High School! Kimengumi" is a manga by Shinzawa Motoei, serialized in Shueisha's "Weekly Shonen Jump". The anime version was broadcast on Fuji TV from October 12, 1985 to September 26, 1987, every Saturday from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. It was a long-running series of 86 episodes, entertaining many viewers as a 30-minute comedy anime.

The film was produced by NAS and directed by Hiroshi Fukutomi. Character designs were by Hiroji Kanazawa and Hazuki Tsuji, art direction by Akira Furuya and Shichiro Kobayashi, music by Shunsuke Kikuchi, and sound by Shigeharu Shiba. Studio Comet and Studio Gallop also participated in the production. Copyright belongs to Motoei Shinzawa and NAS.

■ Story

"High School! Kimengumi" is a comedy anime that revolves around the Kimengumi, a group of five students with unique faces, and two female classmates. Each member of the Kimengumi has a different personality, and each episode features slapstick gags that unfold in various situations. In addition, the theme song, sung by Onyanko Club, who were at the height of their popularity at the time, was a huge hit, further increasing the popularity of the anime.

■Character Introduction

The members of Kimengumi are as follows:

• Ishida - The leader of the Kimengumi, he always has a calm personality. However, he sometimes makes some very strong remarks.
• Yamada - The mood maker of Kimengumi, he has a bright and energetic personality. However, he can also be a bit clumsy.
• Tanaka - He is in charge of knowledge for Kimengumi and is good at studying. However, he sometimes shows a natural airheadedness that makes people laugh.
• Sato - A sportsman from Kimengumi, he has excellent athletic ability. However, his short temper can also get him into trouble.
• Suzuki - A handsome member of Kimengumi, he is popular with the girls. However, he also has a narcissistic side.

Additionally, the following characters appear around Kimengumi:

• Yamamoto - A classmate of the Kimengumi, she is a cool and beautiful girl. She has a personality that contrasts with the Kimengumi members, and often plays the role of the straight man.
• Nakamura - A female student with a gentle personality who is a classmate of the Kimengumi. She plays a role in enhancing the humor of the gags by seeing things from a different perspective than the Kimengumi members.

■ The appeal of anime

The biggest appeal of "High School! Kimengumi" is its slapstick gags and unique characters. Each member of Kimengumi has a different personality, and the laughs that come from their interactions have captivated viewers. In addition, the gags, which unfold in different situations each time, are designed to keep viewers from getting bored.

Furthermore, the theme song "High School! Kimengumi" sung by Onyanko Club, who were at the height of their popularity at the time, was a huge hit, further increasing the popularity of the anime. This theme song is a symbol of the anime for viewers, and is still loved by many fans today.

■Production Background

"High School! Kimengumi" was originally serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" and became popular as a comedy manga for boys. When adapting it for anime, attention was paid to the character design, music, sound, and other aspects in order to bring out the best in the original work. In particular, character design was handled by Kanazawa Hiroji and Tsuji Hatsuki, who faithfully reproduced the unique characters from the original work in the anime. Additionally, music was handled by Kikuchi Shunsuke, and the background music, including the theme song, enhanced the atmosphere of the anime.

■ Broadcast and viewership

"High School! Kimengumi" was broadcast every Saturday from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. from October 12, 1985 to September 26, 1987. It recorded high viewer ratings during its broadcast period and was especially popular among children. The theme song "High School! Kimengumi" was also a big hit, further increasing the popularity of the anime.

■ Impact and evaluation

"High School! Kimengumi" is regarded as a landmark of comedy anime in the late 1980s. Its slapstick humor and unique characters were loved by many viewers and had a major influence on later comedy anime. In addition, the theme song "High School! Kimengumi" is still loved by many fans as a symbol of the anime.

Furthermore, "High School! Kimengumi" is also highly regarded as a work that reflects the social and cultural conditions of the time. In particular, it is loved by many people as a work that symbolizes the brightness and vitality of Japanese society in the late 1980s.

■ Related Products

As the anime "High School! Kimengumi" became popular, various related products were released. Character goods and video software such as DVDs and Blu-rays were especially popular. The CD of the theme song "High School! Kimengumi" was also a big hit and was purchased by many fans.

■ Fan Community

"High School! Kimengumi" continues to be loved by many fans even after it has finished airing. In particular, with the spread of the Internet, fan communities have been formed, and information and interaction takes place on social media, blogs, and bulletin boards. In addition, fan events and cosplay competitions are also held, where you can feel the enthusiasm of the fans.

■ Future outlook

"High School! Kimengumi" is a landmark of comedy anime from the late 1980s and will continue to be loved by many fans. In particular, there is high anticipation for a remake or sequel, and fans are exchanging various opinions about it. There is also anticipation for the re-release of video software and the release of new character goods.

■ Summary

"High School! Kimengumi" was loved by many viewers as a landmark comedy anime of the late 1980s. Its slapstick gags and unique characters had a major influence on comedy anime that followed. In addition, the theme song "High School! Kimengumi" is still loved by many fans as a symbol of the anime. "High School! Kimengumi" will no doubt continue to be loved by many fans in the future.

■Recommendation

If you haven't seen "High School! Kimengumi" yet, I highly recommend watching it. It's a perfect work for those who want to feel the brightness and vitality of Japanese society in the late 1980s. It is also recommended for those who like comedy anime and fans of Onyanko Club. Please enjoy the world of "High School! Kimengumi".