Review of "Romeo's Blue Skies": A touching coming-of-age story and its appeal

Romeo's Blue Sky - A touching story of friendship and growth

"Romeo's Blue Skies," broadcast in 1995, is one of the most popular works in the latter half of the World Masterpiece Theater series. It is based on the novel "Black Brothers" by Lisa Tetzner, directed by Kozo Kusuba, and produced by Fuji Television and Nippon Animation. This work begins in a small village near the Swiss-Italian border in the late 19th century, and is a moving story about the growth and friendship of the main character Romeo.

story

Romeo is a poor boy who lives happily with his family. However, the family loses their farm due to a villain's plot, and in order to help the family finances, Romeo sells himself to a slave trader and moves to Milan as a chimney sweep. Life in Milan is tough, with harsh treatment from his master's family and conflicts with the local gang of delinquents known as the "Wolves". However, with the encouragement of his master's daughter Angeletta, and with the help of his best friend Alfredo and his fellow chimney sweeps, he forms the "Black Brothers" and swears a strong friendship.

Commentary

"Romeo's Blue Skies" centers on the main character Romeo and his best friend Alfredo, and depicts their friendship with his fellow chimney sweeps and their battles with the rival wolf pack. It has many fans, especially women, and has been published, adapted for the stage, and the original work has been republished. In March 2022, it was made into a musical to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the airing, and fans continue to gather there for a long time. This work is a story that teaches us to find hope even in difficult situations and the importance of friendship and bonds.

cast

The main cast is as follows:

• Romeo: Ai Orikasa
• Alfredo: Yoshiko Fujita
• Bianca: Akemi Okamura
• Casela: Kintaka Arimoto
• Antonio: Takano Rei
• Michael: Hiromi Ishikawa
• Dante: Hiiragi Midori
• Giovanni: Nobuyuki Hiyama
• Nikita: Aya Ishizu
• Narration: Masako Ikeda

Main Staff

The main staff involved in the production are as follows:

• Original story: Lisa Tetzner (Black Brothers, Fukutake Bunko)
• Produced by: Koichi Motohashi
• Production management: Toshikazu Motohashi
• Planning: Kenji Shimizu (Fuji Television), Shoji Sato
• Music: Megumi Wakakusa
• Director: Kozo Kusuba
• Producers: Yoshihiro Suzuki (Fuji Television), Senya Suzuki (Fuji Television), Akio Yogo
• Screenplay: Mitsuru Shimada
• Character design: Yoshiharu Sato
• Animation directors: Yoshiharu Sato, Ei Inoue, Masaru Oshiro
• Art director: Masaaki Kawaguchi
• Art setting: Kazue Ito
• Director of photography: Toshiaki Morita, Seiichi Morishita, Hideo Okazaki
• Recording Director: Sadayoshi Fujino
• Storyboard: Kozo Kusuba, Kazuyoshi Yokota, Shinpei Miyashita
• Color designation: Akiko Koyama, Hisayo Kozakai, Chieko Oshiro
• Video check: Sato Ko, Okae Hideki
• Illustrations: Oh Production, Mushi Production
• Finishing touch: Studio Robin
• Background: Atelier Rook, Studio Aqua
• Photography: Trans Arts, Studio Twinkle, IMG
• Recording production: Audio-visual systems
• Mixer: Chiaki Sato
• Effects: Akihiko Matsuda (fizz sound)
• Recording studio: Tact Studio
• Photo lab: IMAGICA
• Title: Akira Michikawa
• Positive editing: Shinichi Natori
• Negative editing: Hidetoshi Kamitono
• Assistant director: Kenichi Nishida, Yuji Nagai
• Production desk: Kenichi Sato
• Production Assistants: Tsuyoshi Hayashi, Seiji Sobue, Tetsuya Tomioka

Main Characters

The main characters are as follows:

• Romeo: The 11-year-old protagonist. He is energetic and cheerful, but sometimes resorts to reckless behavior. He is a boy with a strong sense of justice and friendship.
• Piccolo: Romeo's pet ermine.
• Anita: A 9-year-old girl who is Romeo's childhood friend. She has a slightly precocious personality.
• Alfredo: A boy who Romeo meets on the way to being sold as a chimney sweep. He is cold at first, but he becomes his best friend. He has absolute trust in his fellow chimney sweeps, and together with Romeo, he forms the "Black Brothers."
• Antonio Ruini: Nicknamed "The Grim Reaper", he takes poor children to the city and sells them as chimney sweeps.
• Marcello Rossi: Romeo's boss. He is terrified of his wife, but he is a good person and understands Romeo.
• Edda Rossi: Marcello's wife. She dotes on her son Anselmo and treats Romeo like an enemy.
• Angeletta: A sickly 10-year-old beautiful girl who is being raised in secret by the Rossi family.
• Giovanni: Leader of the "Wolf Gang" which is in conflict with the "Black Brothers."
• Nikita: The only female in the "Wolf Pack." She develops feelings for Alfredo.
• Bianca: Alfredo's sister. She was captured by her uncle but was rescued by Romeo and his friends.
• Professor Casella: A professor whom Romeo meets while sweeping chimneys. He teaches him how to read and write, and gives him guidance for his future.

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: The Alps! A big incident in a small village (1995/01/15)
• Episode 2: The Beginning of Destiny: A Family in Flames (1995/01/22)
• Episode 3: Goodbye, My Village (1995/01/29)
• Episode 4: The Portrait Boy (1995/02/05)
• Episode 5: A Night at the Tavern (1995/02/12)
• Episode 6: The Boat Sinks!! Friendship in the Storm (1995/02/19)
• Episode 7: The House Where Angels Live (1995/02/26)
• Episode 8: Gift from an Angel (1995/03/05)
• Episode 9: Moonlit Love Letter (1995/03/12)
• Episode 10: Blue Sky Sketchbook (1995/03/19)
• Episode 11: Let's Be Friends! (1995/04/23)
• Episode 12: Vanishing in the Foggy City (1995/04/30)
• Episode 13: Reunion in the Sewers (1995/05/07)
• Episode 14: Run!! Quickly (1995/05/14)
• Episode 15: Light the Fire!! The Vow of 11 People (1995/05/21)
• Episode 16: Rival is Alfredo! (1995/05/28)
• Episode 17: Duel at St. Babila Church (1995/06/04)
• Episode 18: Let the Sunrise Reach You! The Song of Unity (1995/06/11)
• Episode 19: Grandma is a Magician (1995/06/18)
• Episode 20: Grandpa Theo's Puppet Show (1995/07/02)
• Episode 21: Angeletta's Secret (1995/07/09)
• Episode 22: I Met My Grandma! (1995/08/06)
• Episode 23: Goodbye... My Angel (1995/08/13)
• Episode 24: The Targeted Brother and Sister (1995/08/20)
• Episode 25: Reunion! Bianca and Alfredo (1995/08/27)
• Episode 26: Proud Soul (1995/09/03)
• Episode 27: The Beginning of a Long Day (1995/09/10)
• Episode 28: Prince Alfredo (1995/09/17)
• Episode 29: The Eternal Alfredo (1995/10/22)
• Episode 30: The Final Vow (1995/10/29)
• Episode 31: True Treasure (1995/12/03)
• Episode 32: A Wonderful Christmas Eve (1995/12/10)
• Episode 33: To the Sky! On the Wings of Freedom (1995/12/17)

Theme songs and music

The opening and ending themes are as follows:

• Opening theme "To the Sky"
• Lyricist: Arisu Sato
• Composer: Taku Iwasaki
• Arrangement: Megumi Wakakusa
• Vocals: Hiroko Kasahara (Warner Music Japan)
• Ending theme "Si Si Ciao On the Hill of Romana"
• Lyricist: Arisu Sato
• Composer: Taku Iwasaki
• Arrangement: Megumi Wakakusa
• Vocals: Hiroko Kasahara (Warner Music Japan)

Ratings and Recommendations

"Romeo's Blue Skies" is a story about finding hope even in difficult situations and the importance of friendship and bonds. Romeo's growth and the bonds he forms with his friends deeply move viewers. It has a particularly large female fan base, and the moving storyline and charming characters have attracted many people.

This work was developed in various media from 1995 to 2022, and was also made into a musical and held fan events. This is proof that the universal theme of the work and the appeal of the characters are loved throughout the ages. Romeo's Blue Skies is a story that teaches us how to find hope even in difficult situations and the importance of friendship and bonds, and is a work that I would recommend to many people.

Furthermore, this work was particularly popular among the later series of the World Masterpiece Theater, and the original work "Black Brothers" was also re-evaluated. Romeo's Blue Skies is a work that can move a wide range of people from children to adults, so please try watching it at least once.