The appeal and evaluation of Biri-Inu: Anime review

Biri-ken - Fujiko Fujio A's lovable Ken tribe

Overview

"Biri-inu" is a TV anime series based on the original work by Fujiko Fujio A, which aired from 1988 to 1989. The main character is Biri-inu, a member of the Ken tribe, a mysterious creature with a dog-like appearance, large wing-like ears that allow him to fly in the sky and understand the language of both humans and dogs. Biri-inu lives in the home of Amemori Tatsuo and his brothers, and together with his best friends Gari-inu and his friends, solve the problems of the townspeople and their pet dogs in a hilarious way.

■Broadcast information

"Biri-ken" was broadcast on TV Asahi from July 11, 1988 to March 27, 1989, every Monday from 7:00 to 7:20 p.m. There are 32 episodes in total, each of which is a self-contained episode of 20 minutes. The broadcast time slot was within the "Fujiko Fujio World," and it was created as a work targeted at younger audiences.

■ Story

Bili-inu looks like a dog, has big ears like wings, and is a member of the Ken tribe who can fly. One day, Bili-inu ends up staying with Amemori Tatsuo and his brother Tetsuo. Bili-inu's best friends Gari-inu and his friends follow him, and they join them. This is the story of how they solve various problems surrounding the townspeople and their pet dogs in a hilarious way. Through the adventures of Bili-inu, the story depicts the importance of friendship and helping each other.

■ Characters

Biri-inu (voice: Masako Nozawa) - The main character, a member of the Ken tribe. She is very curious and strives to solve the problems of the townspeople and their pet dogs.
Gari-inu (voiced by Eiko Yamada) - Biri-inu's best friend. She's good at calculations and acts as Biri-inu's support.
Tatsuo (voiced by Yoko Asagami) - The eldest son of the Amemori family. He enjoys adventures with Billy the Dog.
Tetsuo (voiced by Mina Tominaga) - The second son of the Amemori family. He joins Tatsuo on the adventures of the Black Dog.
Dr. Torino (voiced by Kaneta Kimotsuki) - A researcher of the Ken tribe. He is a good friend of the Billy Dogs.
Yoko (voiced by Yuko Mizutani) - A girl who lives near the Amemori family. She becomes friends with the Billy Dogs.
Honehiko (voice: Tobita Nobuo) - A member of the Ken tribe who loves bones. He is a friend of the Bili dogs.
Dankichi (voice: Chafurin) - The leader of the Ken tribe. He guides the Bili dogs.
Mameo (voiced by Tsutomu Kashiwakura) - A small Ken tribe member. He is a friend of the Billy Dogs.
Papa (voiced by Kazuaki Koide) - The father of the Amemori family. He warmly welcomes the Bili dogs.
Mama (voiced by Kyoko Hamura) - The mother of the Amemori family. She is a good friend of the last-place dogs.
Todo-inu (voiced by Tsubasa Shioya) - A member of the Ken tribe. A friend of the Bili-inu.

■ Staff

Original author: Fujiko Fujio A
Serialised in: Shogakukan's educational magazines, Terebi-kun, CoroCoro Comic Producer: Hatano Masami (TV Asahi), Kodama Seitaro (Shin-Ei Animation)
Production Administration: Makiko Koga Production Desk: Kumi Ogura, Shigeo Chiba Literature: Yayoi Takihara Screenplay: Noboru Shiroyama, Yu Yamamoto, and others General Director: Hiroshi Sasagawa Director: Junji Nishimura Direction, Storyboard: Yasunao Aoki, Junji Nishimura, and others Animation Director: Chuji Nakajima, and others Key Animation: Studio Liberty, Toshio Takahashi, Michifumi Uesugi, Sumie Suzuki, Akihiko Yamashita, Atsushi Yamagata, Etsuko Tomita, Asami Endo, and others Animation Inspection: Hideyuki Motohashi, Yasuko Nabeta, and others Animation: Studio Z5, Yoko Nakayama, Namiko Sugawara, Noriko Fukuda, Studio Signal, Studio Liberty, Yasuko Nabeta, Naoko Sato, Sadatoshi Ushida, Akemi Matsuda, Studio Deen, Ikuko Hara, Kazuko Ishizu, Sanae Kawakami, Kenichi Hayashi, and others Art Director: Masaru Tensui Director of Photography: Hiroaki Yamada Editing: Hajime Okayasu, Toshihiko Kojima Music: Toru Inagawa
Opening theme "Bilibiri Bilibiri Dog": Lyrics by Fujiko Fujio A, Music by Shosuke Ichikawa, Arrangement by Hiroshi Takada, Sung by Masako Nozawa, Columbia Records Recording Director: Katsuyoshi Kobayashi Production cooperation: Studio Deen Production: TV Asahi, Asahi Tsushinsha, Shin-Ei Animation

■ Episode

Episode 1: A strange dog arrives (1988/07/11)
Episode 2: The Pride of Dogs at Hanabi-ga-Oka (1988/07/18)
Episode 3: Gully Dog Loves Calculations (1988/07/25)
Episode 4: Our House is in the Sky (1988/08/01)
Episode 5: Leave the replacement to us!? (1988/08/15)
Episode 6: Dr. Tono flies in (1988/08/22)
Episode 7: Woof Woof Lullaby (1988/08/29)
Episode 8: Dub flew away!? (1988/09/05)
Episode 9: Maro is the star! (1988/09/12)
Episode 10: The Human Flying Launch Machine (1988/09/19)
Episode 11: The Head-Heavy Dog (1988/09/26)
Episode 12: Injections are scary! (1988/10/10)
Episode 13: Leave the part-time job to us (1988/10/17)
Episode 14: No Match for a Cute Girl (1988/10/24)
Episode 15: It's tough being a rabbit and a dog (1988/11/14)
Episode 16: Professor Momotaro Arrives (1988/11/21)
Episode 17: I Hate Bicycles (1988/11/28)
Episode 18: Kangaroos on a Gong (1988/12/05)
Episode 19: Dub in Love? (12/12/1988)
Episode 20: A Giant Bat Appears (1988/12/19)
Episode 21: Now You Can Rest Easy! Postman (1988/12/26)
Episode 22: This is a Flying Octopus (1989/01/09)
Episode 23: Doka's Throat (1989/01/16)
Episode 24: Woof Woof Gourmet (1989/01/23)
Episode 25: The Unbelievable Sea Lion (1989/02/06)
Episode 26: Lucky!! Todo-inu (1989/02/13)
Episode 27: Sea lion, pulling octopus (1989/02/20)
Episode 28: Lots of Curry (1989/02/27)
Episode 29: Early Morning Love Training (1989/03/06)
Episode 30: First Bath Grandpa (1989/03/13)
Episode 31: Get Your Radio-Controlled Car Back! (1989/03/20)
Episode 32: Fly, Bicycle! (1989/03/27)

■ Evaluation and impressions

"Biri-ken" is a work filled with Fujiko Fujio A's unique worldview and humor. The story, which centers around the strange creatures known as the Ken tribe and depicts the importance of friendship and helping each other, teaches many lessons to children. In addition, the characters, such as Biri-ken and Gari-ken, are characterized by their unique and lovable designs. In particular, Biri-ken's inquisitive nature and Gari-ken's calculating side make a strong impression on viewers.

The animation is of high quality, and the technical capabilities of Shinei Animation are evident. Thanks to the efforts of the animation director Nakajima Chuji and the rest of the staff, each episode is carefully drawn. The music was also composed by Inagawa Toru, and the opening theme "Biribiri Biri Inu" is sung by Nozawa Masako, adding to the atmosphere of the film.

Although the show was originally aimed at a younger audience, the content is enjoyable for adults as well. In particular, the process in which the Bili dogs solve the problems of the townspeople and their pet dogs is full of humor and emotion. Each episode tackles a different problem, providing fresh surprises to viewers.

■Recommendation

"Biri-ken" is a work that can be enjoyed not only by fans of Fujiko Fujio A, but by the whole family. It will be a good opportunity for children to learn the importance of friendship and helping each other. Characters such as Biri-ken and Gari-ken have a charm that captures the hearts of children. The animation quality is high, and the story is full of humor and emotion, so it is a work that adults can enjoy as well. Please give it a watch.

■ Related works

"Biri-ken" is also related to other works by Fujiko Fujio A. In particular, "Ultra B" is a work for younger audiences that was broadcast at the same time and was also produced by Shin-Ei Animation. In addition, other works by Fujiko Fujio A, such as "Perman" and "Ninja Hattori-kun", are also known for being filled with humor and emotion. By watching these works together, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of Fujiko Fujio A's worldview.

■Copyright information

©Fujiko A., Shogakukan, TV Asahi, Shin-ei