The appeal and reputation of "The Moomins": A story of family ties and adventure

The appeal and reviews of the happy Moomin family - Tanoshii Moomin Ikka

■Overview of the work

"Moomin" is a TV animation series based on the original work by Finnish authors Tove Jansson and Lasse Jansson. Broadcast on TV Tokyo from April 12, 1990 to October 3, 1991, this work, consisting of 78 episodes, depicts the dreams and adventures of the residents of Moomin Valley. This series faithfully reproduced the worldview of the original work while adding the unique charm of animation, and became one of the factors that led the Moomin boom since the 1990s.

■ Story

Moomin, Florence, Snufkin, Little My and other unique characters experience various adventures and events in Moominvalley. The stories revolve around themes such as "friendship," "family," "connection" and "nature," and depict the peaceful daily life of Moominvalley as well as the adventures and difficulties that arise there. In each episode, the Moomins meet new friends, rediscover the beauty of nature and sometimes face difficulties, giving viewers warmth and courage.

■Explanation

"Moomins" is a TV animation series based on the novel and comics by Tove Jansson, produced with the direct participation of the author herself. It has been highly praised around the world for its philosophical depth and entertainment value that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. It is particularly known as the work that led the Moomin boom that began in the 1990s, and has created many fans.

■Cast

The voice actors are Minami Takayama as Moomin, Akio Otsuka as Moominpappa, Ikuko Tani as Moominmamma, Mika Kanai as Florence, Takehito Koyasu as Snufkin, Rei Sakuma as Little My, and Emiko Shiratori as the narrator. These voice actors express the individuality of the characters richly and add depth to the story.

■ Main staff

The original work was written by Tove Jansson and Lasse Jansson, the director was Hiroshi Saito, the series composition was Akira Miyazaki, the art direction was Jiro Kono, the music was Sumio Shiratori, the character design was Yasuhiro Nagura, the sound was Shigeji Shibata and Naoko Asari, and the photography was Hisao Shirai. These staff members worked together to faithfully recreate the worldview of the original work while bringing out the unique charm of anime.

■ Main Characters

Moomin is the central character in the Moomin series, a curious, friendly, kind and courageous boy. Florence is Moomin's girlfriend, a kind and loving girl who lives with her brother Snork. Moominpappa loves adventure and writes memoirs about his adventures as a young man. Moominmamma is full of love and opens Moominhouse to everyone, warmly welcoming all who visit. Little My is a mischievous girl who lives in Moominhouse, fearless and foul-mouthed, but also kind. Snufkin is a wanderer who loves freedom and solitude, known for his philosophical lines, and is Little My's half-brother, and is best friends with Moomin.

■Subtitle

The subtitles of each episode reflect the various events that take place in Moominvalley. For example, episode 1, "Spring in Moominvalley," depicts the arrival of spring in Moominvalley, while episode 2, "The Magic Hat," depicts the adventures brought about by the magic hat. In episode 3, "A Shipwreck Found on the Beach," the Moomins discover a shipwreck, and episode 4, "Welcome to Ghost Island," depicts their adventures on Ghost Island. These subtitles concisely convey the content of each episode and draw the viewer's interest.

■ Related works

Related works to "Moomin" include "Moomin Adventure Diary" and "Moomin Comet" (film). These works also depict the adventures and friendships of the residents of Moominvalley, and continue the worldview of the original work.

■ Theme songs and music

The opening theme for episodes 1 to 52 is "To the Dream World" (lyrics: Shiratori Emiko, composition: Shiratori Sumio, arrangement: Watanabe Masaji, sung by Shiratori Emiko), and the ending theme for episodes 53 to 78 is "Distant Yearning" (lyrics: Shiratori Emiko, composition: Shiratori Sumio, arrangement: Watanabe Masaji, sung by Shiratori Emiko), and the ending theme for episodes 1 to 52 is "A Wonderful Journey Someday" (lyrics: Shiratori Emiko, composition: Shiratori Emiko, arrangement: Watanabe Masaji, sung by Shiratori Emiko), and the ending theme for episodes 53 to 78 is "A Wonderful Journey Someday" (lyrics: Shiratori Emiko, composition: Shiratori Emiko, arrangement: Watanabe Masaji, sung by Shiratori Emiko). These songs express the warmth and adventurous spirit of Moomin Valley and resonate with the hearts of viewers.

■ Evaluation and recommendation

"Moomin Village" combines the deep themes of the original work with the entertainment value that only animation can provide. It depicts the friendship, familial love, and respect for nature of the residents of Moomin Valley, providing viewers with many moving and educational lessons. Each episode has a standalone story that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. In particular, the characters Moomin, Snufkin, Little My, and others have rich personalities and are loved by viewers.

This work was one of the factors that led the Moomin boom since the 1990s and has been highly acclaimed around the world. It is recommended not only for fans of the original work, but also for anime fans and those who want to enjoy it with their families. It is especially valuable from an educational perspective, teaching children the importance of nature and friendship.

Another appeal of "Moomins" is its visual beauty. The natural scenery of Moominvalley and the expressive movements of the characters draw the viewer in. The beautiful melodies of the music, composed by Sumio Shiratori, add excitement to the story and soothe the hearts of viewers.

In addition, there are other related works such as "Moomin Adventure Diary" and "Moomin Comet" (films), which allow you to enjoy the world of Moominvalley even more deeply. These works also depict the adventures and friendships of the residents of Moominvalley, and inherit the worldview of the original work.

Overall, "Moomin Village" is a wonderful work that the whole family can enjoy, combining the deep themes of the original work with the entertainment value that only animation can provide. It will give viewers many moving impressions and lessons while feeling the warmth and adventurous spirit of Moomin Valley. Please watch this work and experience the charm of Moomin Valley.