The appeal and reviews of "Topo Gigio": an anime experience not to be missed

Topo Gigio - A story of time travel and friendship

Overview

The TV anime series "Toppo Gigio", which aired in 1988, is an animated version of the TV puppet show that was hugely popular around the world in the 60s, with a new sci-fi setting. The original story was written by Italian Maria Perego, and the directors were Noboru Ishiguro and Shigeo Koshi. It was produced by Asahi Broadcasting and Nippon Animation, and aired for a total of 21 episodes.

■ Story

The story is set on Earth in the 24th century, and begins when Toppo Jijo, a hero of the rat race, who are equals to humans, encounters trouble while piloting a space rocket and crash lands in a garbage dump in Casalina Town 400 years in the past. Jijo, who has traveled back in time, is saved by the ancestors of his 24th century friend, the rat Arnor, and begins living in an old human apartment. There, he meets a pretty girl named Gina, and the two develop a friendship.

■ Characters

The main character, Jijo, is a hero of the mouse tribe, a brave and kindhearted character. Gina is Jijo's friend, and they build a deep bond as the story progresses. Other unique characters, such as Amelia, Knopp, Mimi, Megaro, Arnor, Pierre, Brachio, Kurt, and Aro, also appear and add excitement to the story.

■Production Background

"Toppo Gigio" is based on the 1960s puppet show, but the addition of a new science fiction setting aims to appeal to a wider audience. While making use of the characters from the original, the story and setting are entirely original. Directors Noboru Ishiguro and Shigeo Koshi put a lot of thought into finding a balance between visual appeal and storytelling to ensure an enjoyable film for viewers.

■Broadcast information

"Toppo Gigio" was broadcast on Asahi Broadcasting from April 27 to September 21, 1988, every Friday from 18:50 to 19:20. It consisted of 21 episodes, each 30 minutes long.

■ Staff

The original story is by Maria Perego, produced by Koichi Motohashi, production management by Mitsuru Takakuwa, planning by Shoji Sato, music by Nobuyoshi Koshibe, direction by Shigeo Koshi, Tsunagi Omachi, Masato Kitagawa, Yuki Suzuki, producer is Shoji Sato, scriptwriters are Asami Watanabe, Noboru Ishiguro, Tomotake Tadaki, Rino Wada, Yoshio Aimoto, Takashi Hayashi, Taku Sugiyama, character design by Susumu Shiraume, directors are Noboru Ishiguro and Shigeo Koshi, animation directors are Hirokazu Ishino, Tadakazu Iguchi, Kazushige Yusa, Tomomi Mizuta, Mitsuto Sugita, Minoru Kobata, Kenzo Koizumi, Tamotsu Tanaka, art director is Seihei Kawamoto, director of photography is Toshiaki Morita, sound director is Hideyuki Tanaka, color design is Mitsu Shindo, animation checks by Yoriko Mochizuki, Yoshie Anzai, Shigeto Tsuji, Kenichi Otomo, Tatsuyoshi Maeda, Hiromi Motohashi, Tetsuji Tanibata, animation by Many staff members were involved, including Oshima Rie, Sato Kumiko, Sakamoto Emi, Hayashi Kazuya, Tanibata Tetsuji, Kojima Masashi, Sugawa Koichiro, Yamamoto Hiroshi, Nishida Masashi, backgrounds by Atelier Roke and Studio Aqua, cinematography by Trans Arts, sound production by Audio Visual System, mixer by Sato Chiaki, effects by Shoji Masahiro, recording studio by Abaco Studio, developing lab by Tokyo Developing Lab, titles by Michikawa Akira, editors by Kasahara Yoshihiro, Natori Shinichi, Nakamura Masato, negative editing by Kamitsunori Hidetoshi, storyboards by Ishiguro Noboru, Koshi Shigeo, Omachi Tsunagi, Suzuki Yuki, Aoyama Hiroshi, Hotta Atsuko, Hata Yoshito, Oshika Eikichi, assistant director Imanari Eiji, production desk by Tasaki Yasuhiro and Koseki Shuichi, production manager Okada Shuichi.

■ Episode

Each episode focuses on the friendship and adventures of Jijo and Gina. Below are the subtitles of each episode.

• Episode 1: Toppo and Jijo Return (1988/04/27)
• Episode 2: The Home is in Danger! (1988/05/04)
• Episode 3: Rescue Mission to Mimi (1988/05/11)
• Episode 4: The Apartment is Destroyed! (1988/05/18)
• Episode 5: Gina's First Love (1988/05/25)
• Episode 6: The Drunken Magician (1988/06/01)
• Episode 7: The Sewer Monster (1988/06/08)
• Episode 8: Megalon's Mother Appears (1988/06/15)
• Episode 9: Follow That Doll (1988/06/22)
• Episode 10: Ring Big Ben (1988/06/29)
• Episode 11: Tino's Departure (1988/07/06)
• Episode 12: Cat Contest (1988/07/13)
• Episode 13: Dismantle Jijo! (1988/07/20)
• Episode 14: A Lonely Love Song (1988/07/27)
• Episode 15: Megalon's Misfortune (1988/08/10)
• Episode 16: The Circus Comes to Town (1988/08/17)
• Episode 17: The Secret of the Condor Mansion (1988/08/24)
• Episode 18: Dratula 102 (1988/08/31)
• Episode 19: Greedy Scrooge (1988/09/07)
• Episode 20: The Attic Airfield (1988/09/14)
• Episode 21: Jijo Becomes a Cat (1988/09/21)

■ Theme songs and music

The opening theme "TANGO CHU CHU" was written by Fuyuto Kayoko, composed by Morita Kouichi, arranged by Takada Hiroshi, and sung by Yamano Tomoko. The ending theme "Yume Miru Toppo Gigio" was also written by Fuyuto Kayoko, composed by Morita Kouichi, arranged by Takada Hiroshi, and sung by Yamano Tomoko. These songs were released by Nippon Columbia.

■ Related works

"Toppo Gigio" has a companion piece called "Dreaming of Toppo Gigio", another story based on the original puppet show, which tells the adventures of Gigio.

■ Evaluation and impact

"Topo Gigio" was praised for its sci-fi elements of time travel and its story of friendship and adventure. The friendship between Gigio and Gina in particular touched viewers and won many fans. In addition, the characters based on 1960s puppet shows are depicted in a new setting, garnering attention as a work that combines nostalgia with freshness.

■ Recommendation points

"Topo Gigio" is an appealing work that combines the science fiction element of time travel with a story of friendship and adventure. The friendship between Gigio and Gina in particular touched viewers and won many fans. In addition, the characters, based on 1960s puppet shows, are depicted in a new setting, garnering attention as a work that combines nostalgia with freshness. With a moving story and appealing characters with unique personalities, we highly recommend giving "Topo Gigio" a watch at least once.

■ Summary

"Topo Gigio" is an appealing work that combines the science fiction element of time travel with a story of friendship and adventure. The friendship between Gigio and Gina in particular touched viewers and won many fans. In addition, the characters, based on 1960s puppet shows, are depicted in a new setting, garnering attention as a work that combines nostalgia with freshness. With a moving story and appealing characters with unique personalities, we highly recommend giving "Topo Gigio" a watch at least once.