The appeal and evaluation of "Yaohachicho Omoteura Keshoushi": the fusion of history and beauty

"The Eight Hundred and Eight Towns: The Beauty of the Eight Hundred and Eight Towns": A story that highlights the beauty of Edo

"Yaohachicho Omoteura Keshoushi" is a TV anime series based on the manga of the same name by Shotaro Ishinomori, which was broadcast irregularly as part of the TBS variety show "Gimme a Break" from October 9, 1990 to April 30, 1991. A total of 16 episodes were broadcast, but when it was released on video, 3 episodes that had not been broadcast were added, making a total of 19 episodes. The work is set in the late Edo period and depicts the exploits of Shikitei Kosuma, the young master of the medicine shop "Shikitei Seiho."

story

A makeup artist is someone who uses makeup to brighten up not only the people but also the scenery and human feelings of Edo, from the front to the back of the city. The protagonist, Kosama, who works at Shikitei Honpo, a cosmetics store in Edo, wants to make the city and the women of Edo beautiful through makeup, and overcomes difficult challenges with his free-thinking. Through Kosama's activities, the customs and culture of Edo, as well as the beauty of the people's hearts, are depicted.

Commentary

"Yaohachicho Omoteura Keshoushi" is an anime adaptation of the manga of the same name by Shotaro Ishinomori. It was broadcast as a segment of the TBS variety show "Gimme a Break" and is set in the late Edo period, depicting the exploits of Shikitei Kosuma, the young owner of the medicine shop "Shikitei Seiho". The TV broadcast consisted of 16 episodes, but when it was released on video, three episodes that had not been broadcast were added, making it a total of 19 episodes. Set against the backdrop of Edo customs and culture, the work depicts Kosuma's free-thinking and creative ideas as he overcomes difficult situations.

cast

• Shikitei Kosanma: Akira Kamiya
• Fireworks: Akiho Sendo
• Tadanari Mizuno: Jun Hasumi

Main Staff

• Original author: Shotaro Ishinomori
• Supervisor: Shinichi Suzuki
• General Director: Hiroshi Fukutomi
• Producers: Soichi Besshi, Seitaro Kodama
• Screenplay: Eito Shirasu
• Storyboard: Hiroshi Fukutomi, Yoshitomo Yonetani, Yuichi Mabo, Tetsuji Takayanagi, Norio Yazawa, Akio Hosoya, Tomomitsu Mochizuki, Keiichi Hara, Katsumi Terahigashi, Yoshitaka Koyama
• Directed by: Soichiro Zen and Yoshitaka Koyama
• Animation director: Masashi Kigami
• Art director: Takashi Miyano
• Recording Director: Akira Okuma
• Director of photography: Hiroaki Yamada
• Color designation: Sachiko Nonaka
• Literature: Yuichi Mabo
• Finishing touches: Kyoto Animation, Shima Studio
• Photography: Tokyo Animation Film
• Music: Tanaka Kouhei
• Effects: Akihiko Matsuda
• Audio editing: Nobuhiro Shibata
• Recording: Audio Planning You
• Production: TBS, Shinei Animation

Main Characters

• Shikitei Kosanma: The young master of the medicine shop "Shikitei Seiho". He is the son of Shikitei Sanma, who actually existed in the Edo period. With his free-thinking and ideas, he overcomes various difficult situations with makeup.
• Hanabi: A maid working at Shikitei. She has a crush on Kosama.
• Tadanari Mizuno: Elder of the Edo Shogunate. He gives Kosama unreasonable demands and plots to destroy Shikitei.

subtitle

TV Broadcast

• Episode 1: Flame Flower (1990/10/09)
• Episode 2: The Bridge of Love
• Episode 3: Hiromeya
• Episode 4: The Red Light District Mother
• Episode 5: Yashahime
• Episode 6: Ryonoji
• Episode 7: Yoshiwara
• Episode 8: More Than Flowers
• Episode 9: Love Potion
• Episode 10: Oyama Tamagoro
• Episode 11: Firefighters
• Episode 12: A minor character
• Episode 13: Makeup of the Heart
• Episode 14: Pickpocket
• Episode 15: Cold Water
• Episode 16: Makeup for the dead (1991/04/30)

Video version

• Episode 1: Flame Flower
• Episode 2: The Bridge of Love
• Episode 3: Hiromeya
• Episode 4: The Red Light District Mother
• Episode 5: Yashahime
• Episode 6: Ryonoji
• Episode 7: Yoshiwara
• Episode 8: More Than Flowers
• Episode 9: Love Potion
• Episode 10: Oyama Tamagoro
• Episode 11: Firefighters
• Episode 12: A minor character
• Episode 13: Makeup of the Heart
• Episode 14: Pickpocket
• Episode 15: Store Makeup
• Episode 16: Whitebait
• Episode 17: Flower Makeup
• Episode 18: Cold Water
• Episode 19: Death makeup

Detailed evaluation

"Yaohachicho Omoteura Keshoushi" is a work that depicts the beauty of people's hearts through the profession of a makeup artist, set against the backdrop of the customs and culture of the Edo period. The protagonist, Shikitei Kosuma, is charming and inspiring as he overcomes various difficulties with his free-thinking and creative ideas. In addition, characters such as Hanabi and Mizuno Tadanari are also unique, adding depth to the story.

The animation quality is also high, with the streets and customs of Edo carefully depicted in detail. In particular, the visual expression of Kosuma's skills and ideas as a makeup artist is impressive. The music and sound effects also add to the atmosphere of the story, making this a highly polished work overall.

The story development is also ingenious, with each episode dealing with a different theme or problem, and the process of Kosuma resolving them is fascinating. In particular, the episodes that are set against the backdrop of Edo customs and culture provide viewers with new knowledge and serve as an opportunity to deepen their knowledge.

The cast is also impressive, with Akira Kamiya's performance as Kosama being particularly memorable. Akiho Sendo's performance as Hanabi and Jun Hasumi's performance as Tadanari Mizuno also bring their characters to life, adding depth to the story. The main staff, Hiroshi Fukutomi and Shotaro Ishinomori's original work also contribute to the quality of the work.

Recommendation

"Yaohachicho Omoteura Keshoushi" is recommended for those who are interested in the customs and culture of the Edo period, and those who are interested in the profession of keshoushi. It is also recommended for those who want to be moved by the protagonist's free thinking and ideas as he overcomes difficult situations. Furthermore, it is a work that should be watched by those who want to enjoy the acting of Akira Kamiya, Akiho Sendo, and Jun Hasumi.

This work has all 19 episodes on video, so even those who missed the TV broadcast can watch it with peace of mind. In addition, the townscape and customs of Edo are carefully depicted in detail, making it a visually enjoyable work. Please give it a watch.