Go for it! Dreamers - The appeal and evaluation of the story of the birth of the Carp

The charm and emotion of "Go for it! Dreamers - The story of the birth of the Carp"

■Overview of the work

"Go! Dreamers - The Birth Story of the Carp" is a theatrical animation released in 1994, based on a manga by Keiji Nakazawa. It was directed by Yoshinori Kanemori and produced by Madhouse and Hiroshima Film Center. Set in Hiroshima in 1949, the film depicts boys who lost their families in the atomic bombing, finding hope through baseball and living strong lives. Each episode is 90 minutes long and complete.

■ Story

In 1975, Daichi Susumu and the rest of the Dreamers, a former youth baseball team, get together to play a game against American soldiers for the first time in 25 years. Their former classmate, Maeda Yoko's daughter comes to visit them. Seeing the girl, who looks just like Yoko from long ago, Susumu can't help but reminisce about those days...

In 1949, Susumu lost his parents in the atomic bombing and was living with his younger brother Ayumu, who was bedridden due to radiation sickness. For the two boys, who were busy with their daily lives, baseball was their greatest joy. Almost every week, Susumu and his baseball friends would visit the occupying forces in Kure and play games against American soldiers. If they won, they would receive rewards such as canned food. For Susumu, who had to support the physically frail Ayumu, these games were also a matter of survival. One day, they received news that surprised and delighted them! Japan's first citizen-run professional baseball team was to be born in Hiroshima...

■Explanation

The film is set against the backdrop of the history of the Hiroshima Carp (the predecessor to the Hiroshima Toyo Carp), Japan's only professional baseball team, which was founded in 1949 shortly after the atomic bombing. It depicts the strength that is being lost among children today who live in affluence, and the wonderfulness of having dreams, through the story of children who lost their homes and families in the atomic bombing and entrusted their dreams to the Carp, living strong lives while playing amateur baseball. The film deeply moves viewers as it depicts the boys trying to find hope while the scars of war are still fresh.

■Cast

Susumu Daichi/Masaki Koda/Ayumu Daichi/Shingo Yoshida/Yoko Maeda/Yuka Koyama/Mamoru Kawada/Makoto Nakajima/Hiroshi Matsushima/Go Okada/Junji Kamiya/Suinori Tsukumo/Denzo Ota/Hiroshi Ito/Mark/Hiroaki Ishikawa/Joe/Kazunari Miyazaki/Koichi Kawada/Shingo Kazami/Mitsuko Ota/Isamu Aihara/Judge/Yoshio Kinugasa

■ Main staff

・Produced by Hiroshima Film Center ・Producers: Hidetaka Ushio, Masao Maruyama ・Original story: Keiji Nakazawa ・Screenplay: Hideo Takayashiki, Tatsuhiko Urahata ・Direction: Morio Asaka ・Storyboards: Yoshinori Kanemori, Morio Asaka, Yuzo Sato, Toshio Hirata, Satoru Namekawa ・Chief animation director: Yuzo Sato ・Assistant animation directors: Yoshiharu Ashino, Kahoru Hirata ・Layout cooperation: Hideo Zeita

■ Theme songs and music

・TM song "Rival"
Lyrics by Masashi Sada Composition by Masashi Sada Arrangement by Junichi Kanesaki Vocals by Seiji Tanaka

■The appeal of the work

"Go Go! Dreamers - The Birth Story of the Carp" is a work that depicts the scars of war and a story of hope. In particular, the story of boys who lost their families in the atomic bombing, finding hope through baseball, and living strong lives, deeply moves viewers. Below, we will explain the appeal of this work in detail.

1. Historical Background and Reality

The film is set in Hiroshima in 1949. Just four years after the atomic bombing, the scars of war were still fresh in Hiroshima. In the midst of all this, the story of young boys finding hope through baseball is realistic and moving. Director Kanemori Yoshinori has a deep understanding of Hiroshima's history and culture, and he reflects that reality in the film. Nakazawa Keiji, the original author, is also from Hiroshima, and he meticulously portrays the local climate and feelings of the people.

2. Character development and human drama

The protagonist, Daichi Susumu, lost his parents in the atomic bombing and lives with his younger brother Ayumu, who is bedridden due to radiation sickness. Susumu supports their lives through baseball and struggles to protect his brother. Susumu's growth and human drama deeply move viewers. Susumu's friends also have their own circumstances, but they are also shown finding hope through baseball. The growth of these characters and human drama further enhance the appeal of the work.

3. The power of the baseball scenes

This work contains many scenes in which the boys play games against American soldiers. These baseball scenes are powerful and captivating. In particular, the scene in which Susumu and his friends win is moving and sure to touch the hearts of viewers. The historical background of the birth of the Hiroshima Carp also adds to the impact of the baseball scenes.

4. The Power of Music

The theme song, "Rival," was written and composed by Masashi Sada and sung by Seiji Tanaka. This song symbolizes the film's themes of "hope" and "strength," and resonates deeply with the viewers. The background music throughout the film also effectively brings out the boys' emotions and drama. The power of this music further enhances the film's appeal.

■ Evaluation of the work

"Go! Dreamers - The Birth Story of the Carp" has been highly praised by many audiences. It has been especially praised for its depiction of the scars of war and the story of hope, the character growth and human drama, the power of the baseball scenes, and the power of the music. In addition, the film has been highly praised for director Kanemori Yoshinori's deep understanding of Hiroshima's history and culture, and the detailed descriptions by the original author Nakazawa Keiji.

■ Recommendation points

This work depicts the scars of war and a story of hope, and will deeply move viewers. It is especially recommended for baseball fans and those interested in Hiroshima's history and culture. The work is also full of charm, including character growth and human drama, the power of baseball scenes, and the power of music. Please watch this work and experience the strength and hope of the young boys.

Related information

・The original manga "Go! Dreamers - The Birth Story of the Carp" by Keiji Nakazawa can be purchased at bookstores in Hiroshima and online bookstores.
Director: Yoshinori Kanemori's other works include "AKIRA" and "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind."
・Production: Madhouse produces popular anime such as "Hunter x Hunter" and "Death Note."
・Theme song: Masashi Sada's other songs include "Kanpaku Sengen" and "Kaze ni Tatsu Lion."

■ Summary

"Go Go! Dreamers - The Birth Story of the Carp" is a work that depicts the scars of war and a story of hope, and will deeply move viewers. It is especially recommended for baseball fans and those interested in Hiroshima's history and culture. The work is full of charm, including character growth and human drama, the power of baseball scenes, and the power of music. Please watch this work and experience the strength and hope of the young boys.