JINGI: The Sumida River Summit Operation - Review and Review: Exploring the depth of the story and characters

"Jingi: The Sumida River Summit Mission": A look back at the masterpiece of 90s OVAs

The OVA "Jingi: The Sumida River Summit Operation," released on April 8, 1992, is based on the original work by Ayumi Tachihara and was released by Nihon Eiga Agency. In a short time of 50 minutes, this work succeeds in depicting a deep story and detailed character design. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal of this work, the background of its production, and its subsequent influences.

Overview

"Jingi: The Battle of the Sumida River" is based on a manga, so it has a very strong visual expression. It is directed by Kenjiro Yoshida and produced by JC Staff, and the main staff includes a number of impressive members, including Toei Animation's director Yasushi Murayama, screenwriter Hideo Nanbu, character designer Toshie Tamura, and animation director Katsuji Matsumoto.

story

The story depicts the conflict between yakuza gangsters set along the Sumida River. The protagonist, Takagi Jingi, is a junior boss of a yakuza organization and throws himself into the fight against the rival organization with his comrades. As Jingi's beliefs and the bonds he has with his comrades are put to the test, various dramatic events unfold. In particular, the actions Jingi takes to protect his comrades and the tense confrontation scenes with the rival organization are worth watching.

character

The main character, Takagi Hitoyoshi, is a calm and rational leader who also has a deep affection for his comrades. He is surrounded by a number of unique characters, including loyal subordinates and the ruthless boss of a rival organization. In particular, the character of Yamamoto, Hitoyoshi's right-hand man, is depicted as having a friendship and trusting relationship with Hitoyoshi, making him an important element of the story.

Background

This work was born during the OVA boom of the 90s, and can be said to have established its own unique style amid the fierce competition in the OVA market at the time. In particular, the staff put in a lot of effort to recreate the realistic world of the yakuza depicted by Ayumi Tachihara, the original author, in animation. Character designer Toshie Tamura succeeded in incorporating the atmosphere of the original work into the animation without destroying it, and animation director Katsuji Matsumoto created a visual impact with his meticulous drawings.

Visuals and Music

Visually, the film is impressive for its beautiful scenery of the Sumida River and the intense battle scenes between yakuza gangsters. The battle scenes in particular are a perfect blend of realistic movement and powerful direction, drawing the viewer in. As for the music, it effectively uses background music that heightens tension and melodies that liven up dramatic scenes, as was often seen in OVA works of the time. The background music in the battle scenes in particular has the power to grab the viewer's attention.

Evaluation and impact

"Jingi: The Battle of the Sumida River" was one of the most highly acclaimed OVAs of the 1990s. The depth of the story, the appeal of the characters, and the exquisite fusion of visuals and music left a strong impression on viewers. This work is also said to have had a major influence on later anime works with a yakuza theme, and many creators have used it as reference, especially for the quality of the character designs and drawings.

Recommended points

Here are some reasons why I recommend this work:

• Depth of the story : While depicting the conflict between yakuza gangsters, the story also delves deeply into themes such as human drama, friendship, and faith.
• Appealing characters : A variety of unique characters, including the protagonist Takagi Hitoyoshi, add excitement to the story.
• Fusion of visuals and music : The realistic battle scenes, beautiful scenery, and the background music that enhances them are a perfect match.
• Production staff's attention to detail : The staff has put in a lot of effort to recreate the world of the original work in animation.

Related Titles

If you enjoyed "Jingi: The Sumida River Summit Mission," we also recommend the following related works:

• "Black Jack" : A medical drama based on the original work by Ayumi Tachihara. Its deep human drama and realistic depictions are appealing.
• "Fist of the North Star" : Not about the Yakuza, but an action movie set in a devastated world. The powerful battle scenes and the charm of the characters are the highlights.
• "City Hunter" : An action comedy set in the world of the Yakuza and the underworld. It is characterized by its light-hearted tempo and humor.

summary

"Jingi: The Sumida River Summit Operation" was one of the most highly acclaimed OVAs of the 1990s, with a deep story, charming characters, and an exquisite fusion of visuals and music. This is a work that I would highly recommend to anyone who likes Yakuza-themed works or who wants to enjoy a deep human drama. It is also said to have had a major influence on later anime works, and is an important work in the history of OVAs.