Review of "New Super Bakumatsu Boy Century Takamaru CHILDREN BUILD THE FUTURE": A story about children who will build the future

New Super Bakumatsu Boys Century Takamaru CHILDREN BUILD THE FUTURE - Review and Details

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

November 21, 1992

■Release and sales

Nippon Victor, Bandai

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Original story by Toyoo Ashida, Jam Creation

■ Director

Director: Toyoo Ashida

■ Story

In modern Japan, the island of Chanpon Kingdom is still a closed country. One day, Takamaru, a boy who lives there, discovers a girl inside a crashed plane of unknown nationality. Takamaru and his friends decide to hide the girl, who has lost her memory due to the shock of the crash, but strange incidents occur frequently in the surrounding area...

■Explanation

This original anime work was co-produced by anime production companies JCSTAFF and Studio Live. It was also widely distributed in other media such as manga and CDs. Released as an OVA in 1992, this work offered a fresh experience to anime fans at the time. In particular, director Toyoo Ashida's unique visual style and storytelling left a strong impression on many viewers. Additionally, the fact that it was co-produced by JCSTAFF and Studio Live is also noteworthy, and the work has been praised for making use of the strengths of both companies.

■Cast

・Hope Takamaru/Ikura Kazutoshi ・Yumega Al Saemon/Hayashibara Megumi ・Kira Mirai/Orikasa Ai ・Karin Fox/Hisakawa Aya

■ Main staff

・Original work: Toyoo Ashida, Jam Creation ・Series composition: Minda☆Nao ・Chief director, storyboard, direction: Satoshi Nishimura ・Character design: Toyoo Ashida ・Chief animation director: Toyoo Ashida ・Music: Kohei Tanaka ・Art director: Nobuhito Sakamoto ・Director of photography: Akihiko Takahashi ・Sound director: Noriyoshi Matsuura ・Director ・Character design ・Chief animation director: Toyoo Ashida

■ Main Characters

Takamaru Hope: An active boy who lives in the "Champon Kingdom" and coexists with nature. He is the heir to the Kibou-ryu swordsmanship dojo and prefers a swordsman-like fighting style. Takamaru is the central character of the story, and his actions and decisions have a major impact on the development of the story. In particular, his relationship with Karin, whom he rescued from the plane, is an important element of the story.

・Yumega Aru Saemon: The son of the trade magistrate and Takamaru's best friend. Although he does not have the high fighting ability of Takamaru and Mirai, he is good at inventing things. He cares about his younger brother and hates being lied to. Aru Saemon plays an important role as Takamaru's supporter, and his inventions often contribute to the progress of the story.

Mirai Kira A girl who often hangs out with Takamaru and Al Saemon. She is usually cool and keeps a poker face. She is good at sewing and cooking. Mirai is the balance of Takamaru's group, and her calmness and skills strengthen the unity of the team.

Karin Fox: A mysterious girl who has no memory other than her name when her plane crashes. She is rescued and cared for by Takamaru and his friends. Karin is a key character in solving the mystery of the story, and as her past and true purpose are gradually revealed, the story becomes more profound.

■ Related works

・Super Bakumatsu Shonen Century Takamaru Part 1 (1991/11/01)
・Super Bakumatsu Shonen Century Takamaru Part 2 (1991/12/20)

■Review

"Takamaru: Children Build the Future" is an original animation video animation (OVA) released in 1992, and its unique world view and character settings are appealing. The story is set on a fictional island in modern Japan called "Champon Kingdom". The island is closed to the outside world, and the setting of having almost no contact with the outside world gives viewers a fresh surprise. The protagonist, Takamaru, is the heir to the Kibou-ryu swordsmanship dojo, and is an active boy who coexists with nature. His character is brave and full of a sense of justice, making it easy for viewers to sympathize with him. Takamaru's relationship with Karin Fox, whom he rescued from an airplane, is the central theme of the story, and her memory loss and the subsequent developments draw viewers in. Takamaru's best friend, Yumega Aru Saemon, and his frequent companion, Kira Mirai, are also important characters. Aru Saemon's talent as an inventor and Mirai's calmness and skill contribute greatly to the progress of the story. In particular, the scenes where Aru Saemon's inventions play an important role in the story are particularly moving. Director Toyoo Ashida's unique style shines through in the visual aspects of this work. The character designs and background art are visually very attractive and capture the hearts of viewers. In particular, the scenery of the Chanpon Kingdom and the battle scenes with Takamaru and his friends are worth seeing. The music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. Tanaka Kohei's music enhances the atmosphere of the story and stirs the emotions of the viewers. In particular, the music in the battle scenes heightens the tension and draws the viewers into the story. Furthermore, this work is noteworthy for being a joint production by JCSTAFF and Studio Live. The production that utilizes the strengths of both companies has been praised, providing viewers with a fresh experience. In particular, the combination of JCSTAFF's drawing techniques and Studio Live's storytelling resulted in a work that is highly complete both visually and narratively. Related works include "Super Bakumatsu Boy Century Takamaru Vol. 1" and "Super Bakumatsu Boy Century Takamaru Vol. 2". These works are prequels to Takamaru's adventures and help viewers understand the work more deeply. In particular, knowing Takamaru's character formation and the background of the Chanpon Kingdom enriches the story of the OVA. Overall, "Shincho Bakumatsu Shonen Seiki Takamaru CHILDREN BUILD THE FUTURE" is a very worthwhile work that combines a unique world view, attractive characters, and highly polished visuals and music. It is especially recommended for anime fans and viewers who want to enjoy an original story. I hope you will experience the adventure and growth of Takamaru and his friends.

■Recommendation

To enjoy this work, we recommend that you pay attention to the following points when watching. 1. **Character growth**: Pay attention to the growth and changes of Takamaru, Karin, Al Saemon, and Mirai. One of the charms of the story is how their relationships and individual characters evolve. 2. **Visuals and music**: Pay attention to director Toyoo Ashida's unique visual style and Tanaka Kohei's music. In particular, the fusion of visuals and music in battle scenes and important scenes leaves a strong impression on viewers. 3. **Related works**: By watching "Super Bakumatsu Boy Century Takamaru Vol. 1" and "Super Bakumatsu Boy Century Takamaru Vol. 2", you can gain a deeper understanding of the background of Takamaru's adventure. Watching these works first will enrich the story of the OVA. 4. **Themes and messages**: This work depicts themes such as friendship, justice, and growth. By empathizing with these themes and thinking about them in light of your own life, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding and be moved. "New Super Bakumatsu Boy Century Takamaru CHILDREN BUILD THE FUTURE" is a work that will provide viewers with fresh surprises and excitement, and I hope that many people will watch it. While enjoying Takamaru and his friends' adventures and growth, I hope you will also have the opportunity to think about your own life.