The appeal and reviews of the animated film "Around the World in 80 Days": Reevaluating the adventure and excitement of travel

The appeal and reviews of the anime "Around the World in 80 Days"

■Overview of the work

"Around the World in 80 Days" is a TV anime series based on Jules Verne's classic novel, which was broadcast on TV Asahi from October 10, 1987 to March 26, 1988. It was planned to have a total of 26 episodes, but 22 were broadcast in Japan, with the remaining 4 episodes remaining. It aired every Saturday from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m., with each episode lasting 30 minutes. This anime is a collaboration with Spain, and is characterized by its characters being depicted as anthropomorphized animals.

■ Story

Mr. Fogg, a gentleman living in London, announces at a gentlemen's club that he will travel around the world in 80 days, and sets off on the journey, betting half of his fortune on banker Sullivan. However, Sullivan uses the evil Transfer to interfere with Mr. Fogg's actions, and Mr. Fogg is forced into a position of being pursued as the culprit of a bank robbery. On the way, he takes Princess Romy, who was almost sacrificed in India, and continues his journey with his butlers Rigodon and Chico. Mr. Fogg's adventure is a story of overcoming various difficulties and deepening the bonds with his companions.

■ Characters

All the characters in this anime are anthropomorphized as animals. The main character, Willy Fogg, is a lion, voiced by Banjo Ginga. The butler, Rigodon, is a dog, voiced by Kei Toyama. Chico is a cat, voiced by Masako Nozawa. Princess Romy is a tiger, voiced by Miki Takahashi. Detective Disk is a gorilla, voiced by Ichiro Nagai. Other characters with unique personalities include Assistant Bouley (Kenichi Ogata), Transfer (Shigeru Chiba), President Sullivan (Tetsuaki Genda), Inspector Rowan (Tomoaki Nishimura), the president of the railroad company (Kozo Shioya), and reporter Ralph (Naoki Tatsuta).

■ Production staff

The film was directed by Fumio Kurokawa and produced by Nippon Animation and TV Asahi. It is based on the novel by Jules Verne and is set in various locations around the world, including London, Paris, Egypt, Singapore, and India. Music was composed by Shunsuke Kikuchi, character design by Isamu Kumada, and animation directors were Takao Kozai, Hisatoshi Motoki, Masami Abe, and Hirokazu Ishino. Art director was Seihei Kawamoto, cinematographer was Toshiaki Morita, and sound director was Sadayoshi Fujino.

■Subtitle

The subtitles for the TV Asahi version are as follows:

• 1. The mysterious rich man sets out on a great adventure!
• 2. Farewell London, Mysterious Incident on the Train!
• 3. Big commotion in the beautiful Paris! Stop the runaway carriage!
• 4. Great adventure in Egyptian ruins: what is the dark shadow in the temple?
• 5. Two Mr. Fogs...Giant Dancing Killer Whales!
• 6. Mr. Fogg is Arrested! Bombay is in Chaos
• 7. Oh no! A railway line has disappeared on the Indian plateau?
• 8. Crisis after crisis! The Great Jungle Elephant Journey
• 9. The Violent Tribe Approaches! The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Romy
• 10. Shocking, Princess Romy's past!?
• 11. Did the boat sink? Trial in Calcutta!?
• 12. From loving Singapore to the typhoon sea!
• 13. Trap! Trap! Hong Kong smells dangerous
• 14. Arrived in Japan! A commotion over joining the Yokohama Circus!?
• 15. Aloha!? Hawaiian Love Incident
• 16. Help arrives! Escape from Mexico in a hot air balloon!!
• 17. Life or death? The terrifying collapse of a huge iron bridge!!
• 18. Indian Attack! Runaway Panic Train
• 19. The Atlantic Ocean is in chaos, and there's only one person on the ship?
• 20. Unprecedented! Burning ships for an epic voyage?
• 21. Too late? We arrived in London 10 minutes late!!
• 22. 80 days? 81 days? A big reversal

■ Theme songs and music

The opening theme is "Skyway" with lyrics by Akira Ito, music by Izumi Kobayashi, arrangement by Fumitaka Anzai, and vocals by Keiko Han. The ending theme is "Futari no Tokei" with lyrics by Akira Ito, music by Izumi Kobayashi, arrangement by Fumitaka Anzai, and vocals by Keiko Han. Both songs were released by Canyon Records.

■The appeal of the work

"Around the World in 80 Days" is an adventure story based on the original novel by Jules Verne, but its main appeal is that the characters are anthropomorphized as animals. This setting allows viewers to enjoy the story from a fresh perspective. Each episode also depicts a different country and culture, and the show also contains educational elements that allow viewers to learn about the scenery and customs of different parts of the world.

The story depicts the process by which Mr. Fog and his friends overcome various difficulties, emphasizing the themes of adventure and friendship. In particular, the scene in which Mr. Fog is pursued as a suspect in a bank robbery creates tension for the viewer and adds depth to the story. In addition, the diverse episodes that unfold, such as the rescue of Princess Romy and encounters with the cultures of various countries, keep the viewer engaged in the story without getting bored.

The individuality of the characters is also one of the attractions. The calmness and leadership of Mr. Fog, the loyalty and humor of Rigodon, the curiosity and courage of Chico, the elegance and strength of Princess Romy, etc. The charm of each character enriches the story. In addition, the presence of the villains Transfer and President Sullivan also adds tension and drama to the story.

■ Evaluation and recommendation

"Around the World in 80 Days" faithfully reproduces Jules Verne's original novel, while adding the creativity and humor that only animation can provide. In particular, the characters are anthropomorphized as animals, which makes it appealing to a wide range of people, from children to adults. In addition, episodes depicting cultures and landscapes from around the world provide viewers with new knowledge and have educational value.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of the work. Shunsuke Kikuchi's music effectively expresses the thrill and excitement of the adventure, stirring the emotions of the viewer. The opening and ending theme songs are also memorable, enhancing the atmosphere of the work.

This work is recommended for adventure lovers and Jules Verne fans, as well as for family animation, and can be used as an opportunity to teach children about world cultures and history. It is also highly recommended for those who enjoy the unique characters and story development.

■ Additional information

This anime was a joint production with Spain, and a Spanish version was also produced. In the Spanish version, some of the character names and settings may be different. Also, the four episodes that have not aired yet can be viewed on DVD and video. Furthermore, this work has been highly praised overseas and has been broadcast in many countries.

"Around the World in 80 Days" is a heartwarming story about adventure and friendship, a wonderful animated film that will move you and make you laugh. Be sure to watch it and experience the adventures of Mr. Fog and his friends.