A thorough review of Abe Joji's "Shibuya Honky Tonk: A Tale of Youth"!

Abe Joji Cutting Youth Story Shibuya Honki Tonk - Abe Joji Cutting Youth Story Shibuya Honki Tonk

overview

"Abe Joji Kattobi Seishunki Shibuya Honki Tonk" was released as an OVA in 1988. It was based on a manga by Abe Joji, and the art was by Tanaka Masahito. The story has a theme of youth and music, and depicts the dreams and struggles of young people set in Shibuya. It was directed by Ochiai Masamune, produced by NAC Films, and released by Tokuma Japan. It is made up of 4 episodes, each 35 minutes long.

story

The story of Abe Joji's Fast-Flying Youth: Shibuya Honky Tonk begins with the protagonist, Takada Kenichi, starting a band in Shibuya. Kenichi is a young man with a passion for music, but is troubled by the gap between reality and his passion. He forms a band called "Honky Tonk" with his friends, and faces various difficulties as he pursues his dreams. The story is a realistic portrayal of the band's struggles with love, friendship, failure and success.

character

• Kenichi Takada - Leader of the band "Honky Tonk." A young man who is passionate about music but is troubled by the gap between his passion and reality.
• Mayumi Yamamoto - Kenichi's childhood friend and the person who supports his band activities. She herself is interested in music and is active as the band's vocalist.
• Kenji Nakamura - Kenichi's best friend and the guitarist in the band. He has a bright and positive personality and is the mood maker of the band.
• Miwa Sato - Kenichi's girlfriend. She has a big influence on Kenichi's musical career.

Background

The film is set in Shibuya in the 1980s, and depicts the music scene and youth culture of the time in a realistic way. Author Abe Joji based the story on his own experiences in his youth, and Tanaka Masahito's delicate drawing style enhances it. Director Ochiai Masamune is well-known for directing youth dramas, and his direction brings out the charm of the film to the fullest. Additionally, the film was produced by NAC Films, and the animation was of high quality.

music

Music is an important element of this work, and performance scenes of the band "Honky Tonk" appear throughout the film. Rock and pop from the 1980s are incorporated into the film, reflecting the music scene of the time. In particular, the band's original songs symbolize the theme of the work, leaving a strong impression on viewers. The insert songs and ending theme also play a role in livening up the atmosphere of the film.

Evaluation and impact

"Abe Joji Kattobi Seishunki Shibuya Honky Tonk" was highly praised when it was released as an OVA. It was especially praised for its fusion of music and realism as a youth drama, and gained many fans. In addition, as a work set in Shibuya in the 1980s, it can be said to be a valuable work that records the youth culture of the time. This work had a major influence on later youth anime and music-themed works.

Recommended points

• A realistic coming-of-age drama - The worries and conflicts of the protagonists are depicted realistically, allowing viewers to relate to their own youthful experiences.
• The appeal of music - The performance scenes and original songs within the film that reflect the music scene of the 1980s enhance the appeal of the work.
• Shibuya Scenery - The Shibuya scenery of those times is depicted realistically, giving you a nostalgic feeling.
• Character Development - The development of the main characters is carefully depicted, leaving the viewer with a deep emotional connection.

Related Titles

"Abe Joji's Fast-Flying Youth Chronicle: Shibuya Honky Tonk" is related to other works by Abe Joji, as well as works that also have themes of youth and music. Below are some related works.

• "Abe Joji's Youth Graffiti" - Another youth manga by Abe Joji. It also has themes of youth and music, and is a must-see for fans.
• "BECK" - A youth anime with a music theme. It depicts young people growing up through band activities.
• "NANA" - A coming-of-age drama set in Shibuya. The themes are music and love, and the story depicts realistic human relationships.

How to watch

"Joji Abe's Kattobi Seishunki Shibuya Honki Tonk" is now available for purchase on DVD and Blu-ray. It is also available on some video streaming services. You can purchase or watch it from the links below.

• Amazon - DVD
• Amazon - Blu-ray
• Netflix

summary

"Abe Joji's Kattobi Seishunki Shibuya Honki Tonk" is an OVA work with the themes of youth and music. Set in Shibuya in the 1980s, it realistically depicts the dreams and struggles of young people. The charm of music and the growth of the characters moved viewers and gained many fans. This work had a great influence on youth anime and music-themed works, and is still loved by many people today. Please give it a watch.