Gegege no Kitaro: A thorough review of the third series and the 1980s movie versions

The appeal and evaluation of the first movie version of "GeGeGe no Kitaro"

Introduction

Gegege no Kitaro is a popular anime series based on the manga of the same name by Shigeru Mizuki, and the first movie version released in 1985 is especially beloved by fans. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the story, production background, characters, music, and reviews of the movie version of Gegege no Kitaro. We will also compare it with other series and related works to find out what makes this work so special.

story

This story depicts the adventures of Kitaro and his friends as they confront the conspiracy of the southern monster Chinpo. In particular, Kitaro's struggle to rescue Yumeko-chan and the cooperation of his friends are at the center of the story. Kitaro's courage and friendship are emphasized in the battle against the southern monsters, leaving viewers in awe.

Background

This theatrical version was released on December 21, 1985, distributed by Toei and produced by Toei Animation. Screenwriter Hiroyuki Hoshiyama and director Takeshi Shirato faithfully reproduced the worldview of the original work while pursuing a sense of scale and drama unique to a theatrical version. In particular, the battle with the Southern Monsters and the scenes on the sea were depicted using the technology of the time, leaving a strong visual impact.

character

The cast includes popular voice actors of the time, such as Toda Keiko as Kitaro, Tanonaka Isamu as Nekomusume, and Toyama Kei as Nurarihyon. Toda Keiko's Kitaro is particularly charming, as she is a character that combines bravery and kindness. Tanonaka Isamu's Nekomusume is also impressive for his humorous side and his performance in the battle scenes. Toyama Kei's Nurarihyon has a strong presence as a villain, adding tension to the story.

Main Staff

This work was produced by a team of professionals from various fields, including executive producer Imada Tomonori, producer Yokoyama Kenji, original author Mizuki Shigeru, scriptwriter Hoshiyama Hiroyuki, director Shirato Takeshi, animation director Yamaguchi Yasuhiro, music composer Kawasaki Masahiro, and art director Iwamitsu Ito. In particular, animation director Yamaguchi Yasuhiro created an appealing visual portrayal of Kitaro and the Southern Yokai, enhancing the visual appeal. Kawasaki Masahiro's music also plays an important role in enhancing the emotions as the story unfolds.

music

Masahiro Kawasaki's music is an important element in enhancing Kitaro's adventures and battles. In particular, the music, which enhances the tension in the battle scenes and the emotion in the scenes depicting friendship, stirs the emotions of the viewer. In addition, the theme song of the Southern Yokai emphasizes the fearsomeness of the enemies and adds depth to the story.

Evaluation and impact

This movie version was highly praised not only by fans of the original work, but by a wide range of people. In particular, the story of Kitaro's courage and friendship touched many viewers. In addition, the battle with the southern monsters and the scenes at sea made a visual impact, and the film showed the technological advances of the time. This work also had a major influence on the later "GeGeGe no Kitaro" series, and continues to be loved by many fans.

Comparison with other series

Many works of "GeGeGe no Kitaro" have been produced, including a TV series and other movies. The first movie is particularly distinctive for its story of the battle with the Southern Monsters and the rescue of Yumeko-chan, and it stands out from the rest of the series. In addition, the visuals and music, which made full use of the technology of the time, are also superior to other works.

Related Titles

The GeGeGe no Kitaro series has many related works, including a TV series, other movies, OVAs, and games. This first movie occupies an important position in the entire series, and by enjoying it together with the other works, you can gain a deeper understanding of the world of GeGeGe no Kitaro.

Recommended points

This movie version of "GeGeGe no Kitaro" is recommended for the following reasons:

• A moving story about Kitaro's courage and friendship
• The film has a strong visual impact, including scenes of the battle with the Southern Monsters and the sea.
• An attractive cast of popular voice actors of the time, including Keiko Toda, Isamu Tanonaka, and Kei Toyama
• Inspiring music by Masahiro Kawasaki
• While faithfully recreating the worldview of the original work, the film version also has the sense of scale and drama that only a movie version can offer.

Conclusion

The GeGeGe no Kitaro theatrical version is characterized by its moving story of Kitaro's courage and friendship, as well as its visual impact, including scenes of the battle against the southern monsters and at sea. The film's appeal is further enhanced by an appealing cast of popular voice actors of the time, including Toda Keiko, Tanonaka Isamu, and Toyama Kei, and the moving music by Kawasaki Masahiro. This film faithfully reproduces the worldview of the original work while pursuing the sense of scale and drama that only a theatrical version can offer, and continues to be loved by many fans. This film is recommended not only for fans of GeGeGe no Kitaro, but also for those who like anime and monsters.