The appeal and evaluation of "Adachi-ga-hara": A moving story and deep characters

"Adachigahara": Tezuka Osamu's experimental anime masterpiece

■Overview of the work

"Adachigahara" is an anime based on a story from Tezuka Osamu's short story collection "Lion Books." Released in theaters on November 16, 1991, this work is known for its unique worldview where science fiction and fantasy intersect, and for its profound themes. Tezuka Osamu's ideas and artistry are condensed into the short 25-minute story.

■ Story

The main character, Jess, is an astronaut who was fighting to overthrow the dictator of the Earth Federation. However, he is arrested by the Federation and sent to a penal colony. On the penal colony, Jess meets an old woman and witnesses the truth of life and love. The story is based on the Noh play "Kurozuka" and depicts Jess's fate and inner conflict.

■Explanation

"Adachi-ga-hara" is a 30-minute anime series based on a collection of manga short stories by Osamu Tezuka. The series, which consists of six parts, contains a wide variety of stories, including science fiction, fantasy, and unusual love stories. As Osamu Tezuka himself said, "I would like to try to create something highbrow, half experimental, half hobby-like," this work was not broadcast on television and was only released as an OVA. This makes it a very rare series.

■Cast

• Yukei/Koji Tsujitani
• Annie/Miki Ito
• Administrator: Ritsuo Sawa
• Man: Toshiro Ishii
• Witch / Naoko Kyoda
• Damocles / Kenji Utsumi

■ Main staff

• Original work: Osamu Tezuka
• Director, storyboard, character design, original art: Sakaguchi Hisashi
• Directed by Fumihiro Yoshimura
• Planning/Takayuki Matsutani
• Producers: Yoshihiro Shimizu, Minoru Kubota
• Animation director: Junji Kobayashi
• Art Director: Mieko Ichihara
• Director of photography: Shirai Hisao
• Video: Naoko Kitamura, Junji Kobayashi, Atsushi Ishiguro, Dragon Production, Studio Dub
• Video inspection / Naoko Kitamura
• Finishing / Ikiko Fukuda, Tsuyoshi Okano, Sharaku Beijing
• Color setting: Tsuyoshi Okano
• Background: Mieko Ichihara, Hiromi Raijo
• Edited by Seiji Morita
• Sound Director: Koichi Chiba
• Adjustment: Akiyoshi Yoda
• Music by Toyojiro Koroku
• Effects/Shizuo Kurahashi
• Sound Production: Keiko Senda
• Studio/Sound Mixing Studio

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Adachi-ga-hara" is a work filled with Tezuka Osamu's experimental attempts, and is highly regarded for its unique worldview and deep themes. Below, we will go into detail about the appeal and evaluation of the work.

1. Tezuka Osamu's Thoughts and Artistic Abilities

Tezuka Osamu excelled at depicting social issues and the true nature of humanity through his manga and animation. "Adachi-ga-hara" is one such work, and through the story of Jess, who is sent to a penal colony, it asks the truth of life and love. In particular, the production, which uses the Noh play "Kurozuka" as a motif, gives a sense of Tezuka Osamu's artistry. The visual beauty of the film, which combines the tranquil beauty of Noh with the dynamism of science fiction, is visually shocking.

2. Experimental production techniques

As Osamu Tezuka said, "I wanted to try something highbrow, half experimental, half hobby-oriented," this work incorporates many experimental production techniques. For example, the story development and character portrayal take a different approach than traditional anime. The fact that it was released only as an OVA also reflects Osamu Tezuka's experimental spirit. Not being broadcast on television allowed for greater freedom of expression.

3. The cast and crew are amazing

The cast and staff of "Adachi Ga Hara" are extremely impressive. The voice actors include such talented names as Tsujitani Kouji, Ito Miki, Sawa Ritsuo, Ishii Toshiro, Kyoda Naoko, and Utsumi Kenji. The staff also brings together some of the industry's leading creators, including Sakaguchi Hisashi, who was in charge of direction, storyboards, character design, and key animation, as well as director Yoshimura Fumihiro, animation director Kobayashi Junji, and art director Ichihara Mieko. As a result of this combined talent, the quality of the work has been highly praised.

4. Rarity and Collector's Value

"Adachi-ga-hara" was never broadcast on television, and was only released as an OVA, making it a very rare work. This makes it a valuable collector's item, and a must-see for fans of Tezuka Osamu and anime enthusiasts. It is also an important work for learning about Tezuka Osamu's experimental endeavors, and has historical value.

■ Recommendation points

"Adachi-ga-hara" is a work that allows you to feel the philosophy and artistry of Osamu Tezuka, and its unique worldview where science fiction and fantasy intersect is appealing. Below are some recommended points.

1. Recommended for Tezuka Osamu fans

If you are a fan of Osamu Tezuka's work, you should definitely watch "Adachi-ga-hara." This work is full of Osamu Tezuka's experimental attempts, and will help you to understand his ideas and artistry more deeply. In addition, the production, which uses the Noh play "Kurozuka" as a motif, gives a sense of Osamu Tezuka's versatility.

2. Recommended for those who like science fiction and fantasy

If you like science fiction and fantasy, "Adachi-ga-hara" is also recommended. The story of Jess, who is sent to a penal colony, depicts a worldview that combines the dynamics of science fiction with the mystique of fantasy. The tranquil beauty of Noh theater also adds to the visual impact.

3. Recommended for those who like experimental anime

If you like experimental anime, "Adachi-ga-hara" is also recommended. As Osamu Tezuka said, "I'll try to make something highbrow, half experimental, half hobby-like," this work incorporates many experimental production techniques. The story development and character portrayal take a different approach from traditional anime.

4. Recommended as a collector's item

"Adachi-ga-hara" was never broadcast on television, and was only released as an OVA, making it a very rare work. This makes it a valuable collector's item, and a must-see for fans of Tezuka Osamu and anime enthusiasts. It is also an important work for learning about Tezuka Osamu's experimental endeavors, and has historical value.

■ Related works and how to watch them

"Adachi Ga Hara" is related to other works by Tezuka Osamu. Below, we will introduce related works and how to watch them.

1. Related Works

• "Lion Books": A collection of short stories by Osamu Tezuka, which inspired "Adachigahara." It contains a wide variety of stories, including science fiction, fantasy, and love stories.
• "Black Jack": One of Osamu Tezuka's masterpieces, this is a story about the exploits of the doctor Black Jack. Like "Adachi-ga-hara", it depicts the themes of life and love.
• "Phoenix": This work can be considered Osamu Tezuka's life work, and is a magnificent story about the origin and end of life. Like "Adachi-ga-hara", it deals with a profound theme.

2. How to watch

"Adachi Ga Hara" was released as an OVA, so it can be viewed on DVD and Blu-ray. It may also be available on the Tezuka Productions official website and anime distribution sites. However, it is a rare work, so it may be difficult to obtain, so please be careful.

■ Summary

"Adachi-ga-hara" is a work filled with Tezuka Osamu's experimental attempts, and is highly acclaimed for its unique worldview and deep themes. It has many attractions, such as a story where science fiction and fantasy intersect, a production based on the Noh play "Kurozuka", a luxurious cast and staff, its rarity and value as a collector's item. This is a work that Tezuka Osamu fans, people who like science fiction and fantasy, people who like experimental anime, and people who are interested in it as a collector's item should definitely watch. Other related works that are recommended include "Lion Books", "Black Jack", and "Phoenix". You can watch it on DVD or Blu-ray, on the official Tezuka Productions website, or on anime distribution sites. We hope that you will be able to feel Tezuka Osamu's ideas and artistry through "Adachi-ga-hara".