"The Shape of Happiness" Review: A moving story and deep characters

The full story and appeal of "The Shape of Happiness"

Introduction

In the early 1990s, a new medium called OVA (Original Video Animation) brought innovation to the Japanese anime industry. Among them, "The Shape of Happiness," based on the original work by Tamakichi Sakura, won many fans with its unique world view and the charm of its characters. In this article, we will delve deeper into the detailed information and appeal of "The Shape of Happiness," and also introduce related information and recommendations.

Overview

The Shape of Happiness is an original video animation (OVA) based on the manga of the same name by Sakura Tamakichi. It was released on October 5, 1990 and is a four-episode series. It was produced by IG Tatsunoko, produced by Media Ring, published by Media Ring Co., Ltd. and distributed by Soubi Kikaku. Each episode is 30 minutes long and was directed by Sadamitsu Shinya. Copyright ©1990 Sakura Tamakichi/Omnibus Promotion/MRC.

story

The story of "The Shape of Happiness" depicts the growth of the main character Eight and his friends through various adventures. One day, Eight meets a mysterious creature called Kishonkitora, who suddenly appears, and the two deepen their friendship and bonds while fighting various enemies. Each episode has a different theme, drawing viewers into Eight and his friends' adventures.

character

Eight (voice: Tesshō Genda): The protagonist. A brave boy with a strong sense of justice. After meeting Kishonkittra, he sets out on an adventure.
Romi-chan (voiced by Sakurako Kidai): Eight's childhood friend. A bright and cheerful girl who always supports Eight.
Muki-chan (voiced by Kazuko Aoki): Romi-chan's friend. She has a gentle personality and sometimes gives advice to Eight and the others.
Tamakichi (voice: Sakura Tamakichi): A mentor to Eight and the others. With his deep knowledge and experience, he guides Eight and the others.

Main Staff

Original story: Tamakichi Sakura Director: Shinya Sadamitsu Series composition: Takao Koyama Music: Kenji Kawai Character design: Takayuki Goto Animation director: Kazuya Kise Art director: Yusuke Takeda Director of photography: Kazushi Torigoe Sound director: Shigeru Chiba

subtitle

Episode 1: "Kisonkitora's Attack!!"
Episode 2: "Belno's Transformation! Wonder-Oh!"
Episode 3: "Disappearing into the Sea of ​​Okhotsk"
Episode 4: "Showdown! Super Tennis"
Episode 5: "Wonderoh, Protect the Ocean!!"
Episode 6: "Uncover the Mystery of the Construction Site!"
Episode 7: "Dark Demon King Gale Edition"
Episode 8: "The Dark Demon King's Raging Waves"

Related Titles

"The Shape of Happiness" is a standalone work with no direct links to other works. However, by comparing it with other works by Sakura Tamakichi and OVAs from the same period, its uniqueness and appeal can be better understood.

Evaluation and Appeal

"The Shape of Happiness" has won many fans with its unique worldview and charming characters. In particular, the story of the protagonist Eight's growth and the episodes depicting his friendship with his friends have captured the hearts of viewers. Each episode also has a different theme, drawing viewers into a new adventure every time.

The music is also a major attraction. Kenji Kawai's music not only enhances the atmosphere of the work, but also has the power to stir the emotions of the viewer. The character design and animation have also been highly praised, and the beautiful visuals by Takayuki Goto and Kazuya Kise, the animation director, provide a visual treat.

Recommendation

In order to enjoy the "shape of happiness," it is a good idea to pay attention to the following points.

1. Character Development

Pay attention to the growth of the characters, including Eight. By following how they change and grow with each episode, you can feel the depth of the work.

2. Music

Kenji Kawai's music has a huge influence on the atmosphere of the work. Pay particular attention to the music in battle scenes and moving scenes. You will be able to feel how the music enhances the story.

3. Visuals

Be sure to check out the beautiful visuals by Takayuki Goto's character design and Kazuya Kise's animation direction. Pay attention to the backgrounds of each scene and the movements of the characters to double your visual enjoyment.

4. Theme

Each episode has a different theme. Various themes such as friendship, courage, and justice are depicted, and by thinking about what themes are dealt with in each episode, you can get a sense of the depth of the work.

summary

"The Shape of Happiness" is an OVA based on the original work by Sakura Tamakichi, and has won many fans with its unique worldview and charming characters. The stories of the growth of the characters, including Eight, and the episodes depicting their friendship with their companions capture the hearts of viewers. In addition, the music by Kawai Kenji, character designs by Goto Takayuki, and beautiful visuals by animation director Kise Kazuya are also a major attraction. Each episode has a different theme, drawing viewers into a new adventure every time. To enjoy "The Shape of Happiness," pay attention to the character growth, music, visuals, and themes. Doing so will help you feel the depth of the work.