The appeal and evaluation of the TV anime series "The Steam Detectives"

The Steam Detectives TV ANIMATION SERIES

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

October 7, 1998 - March 31, 1999
October 7, 1998 - March 31, 1999 Every Wednesday 18:00 - 18:30
26 episodes in total, 30 minutes per episode

■Broadcasting station

TV Tokyo affiliates

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 26

■Original Story

Kia Asamiya

■ Director

Yasushi Murayama

■ Production

Produced by TV Tokyo, Yomiuri Advertising, XEBEC

■Works

©Studio Tron/Shueisha, Narutaki Detective Agency, TV Tokyo

■ Story

The imperial capital, Steam City, is always shrouded in white smoke. Because no fuel other than coal was mined there, steam engines developed to an extraordinary degree. A young boy named Narutaki lives in this city and despite his young age, he forms a boy detective club. While solving various cases, he continues to fight the evil that infests the city every day...

■Explanation

This is an anime adaptation of the manga of the same name by Asamiya Kia, which was serialized in Shueisha's Monthly Shonen Jump. The original series began in 1994, the 100th anniversary of Edogawa Ranpo's birth, and detective-themed works were released in various media, of which this is one. It is an action-packed anime with elements of historical fantasy, depicting the daily lives of a group of young detectives active in the fictional city of Steam City.

■Cast

・Narutaki/Soichiro Hoshi ・Shu Suzuzu/Hiroko Taguchi ・Kighty/Takuma Suzuki ・Night of the Phantom/Akio Otsuka ・Le Bread/Tsuyoshi Kusao ・Shu Ranran/Miki Nagasawa ・Beni Sasori/Chisa Yokoyama

■ Main staff

・Original story/Kia Asamiya・Director/Yasushi Murayama・Series composition/Toshihisa Arakawa・Character design/Akio Takami・Mecha design/Takashi Hashimoto・Prop design/Makoto Uno・Art director/Hachidai Takayama・Color setting/Mitsuko Sekimoto・Director of photography/Akio Kanazawa・Editing/Naoyuki Masaki・Music/WinBee Corporation・Audio direction/Hideyuki Tanaka・Producers/Makiko Iwata, Shinichi Ikeda, Nobuyoshi Habara・Production/TV Tokyo, Yomiuri Advertising, XEBEC
・OP
・Period: 1 to 26
・"The Night You Smiled"
Lyrics: Miho Matsuba; Composition and Arrangement: Rio Arai; Singer: elika

・ED1
・Period: 1-13, 26
・"Cowardly emotion"
Lyrics by Keiko Omoto; Composition and Arrangement by Rio Arai; Singer by elika

・ED2
Period: 14-26
·"oasis"
Lyrics: MOMO
・Composer: ZAKI
・Arrangement: Toshitaro
・Song by elika

・IN1
・"Chasing Shadow and Light"
Lyrics: MOMO
・Composition and arrangement: Rio Arai ・Singer: madoka

・IN2
・"Brave Shine"
Lyrics: Sumiyo Mutsumi; Composition and Arrangement: Rio Arai; Singer: Rieko Slick

・IN3
・"So Blue"
Lyrics: MOMO
・Composition and Arrangement: Rio Arai ・Vocals: Rieko Slick

■ Main Characters

Narutaki is the protagonist of this work. He is a boy who followed his late father's wishes to become a detective. With his genius deductive skills and outstanding ability to act, he gradually becomes known as the best detective in the imperial capital.

Shu Suzu is a beautiful girl with a scientist father and a literary writer mother. She is a member of the Steam Detectives and looks after Narutaki like an older sister. Although she is usually a reliable person, she also has a clumsy side.

The Knight of Phantom is the terrifying demon king who reigns over the darkness of the imperial capital, and is Narutaki's greatest enemy. His origins are completely unknown, and he has a ruthless personality that shows no mercy to anyone.

Le Bread: A young phantom thief who could be considered Narutaki's lifelong rival. Wearing a top hat, mask and cape, he uses clever and artistic tricks.

Shu: Ranran Suzuran's older sister. She is a partner of Le Bread and a nurse dressed in mourning clothes. She is good at using drugs to put people to sleep or make them faint.

A beautiful female phantom thief who operates secretly in the imperial capital. She has a weakness for jewels and other things, and is plotting to get her hands on all the beautiful things in the world.

■ Main robot items

・Powerful Mega-Maton was created by Dr. Shu, Suzu's father. It is powered by a steam engine, but because Dr. Shu's brain has been transplanted into it, it can move around freely of its own volition. It is the bodyguard of the Steam Detectives.

■Subtitle

Episode 1: The Steam Detectives (1998/10/07)
Episode 2: The Challenge of the Red Scorpion (1998/10/14)
Episode 3: The Mechanical Baron's Abnormal Love?! (1988/10/21)
Episode 4: The Rival's Name is Le Bread (1998/10/28)
Episode 5: Shadowbolt (1998/11/04)
Episode 6: The Seven Transformations of the Red Scorpion (1998/11/11)
Episode 7: Emergency Order! Arrest the Strong One (1998/11/18)
Episode 8: For Whom Do You Run? (1998/11/25)
Episode 9: The Avenger Phantom (1998/12/02)
Episode 10: A Powerful Crisis! The Imperial Capital Tornado (1998/12/09)
・Episode 11/Steam Mystery (1998/12/16)
Episode 12: The Machine Baron's Great Failure (1998/12/23)
Episode 13: Narutaki vs. Suzuzu: A Small Battle (1998/12/30)
・Episode 14/Novel "The Fearful Steam King" (1999/01/06)
Episode 15: The Target is a Demon Gable (1999/01/13)
Episode 16: Tears of the Black Angel (1999/01/20)
・Episode 17: Chase the Submarine X! (1999/01/27)
Episode 18: 36 Pages of the Detective's Notebook (1999/02/03)
Episode 19: Pale Pink Memories (1999/02/10)
Episode 20: Farewell Boy Detective (1999/02/17)
Episode 21: Invitation to Le Bread (1999/02/24)
Episode 22: Rivals Forever (1999/03/03)
Episode 23: The Final Plan (1999/03/10)
Episode 24: The Shadow of the Looming Devil (1999/03/17)
・Episode 25: And Then There Were None (1999/03/24)
・Episode 26: The Imperial Capital is Waiting for You (1999/03/31)

■ Theme songs and music

・OP
・Period: 1 to 26
・"The Night You Smiled"
Lyrics: Miho Matsuba; Composition and Arrangement: Rio Arai; Singer: elika
・ED1
・Period: 1-13, 26
・"Cowardly emotion"
Lyrics by Keiko Omoto; Composition and Arrangement by Rio Arai; Singer by elika

・ED2
Period: 14-26
·"oasis"
Lyrics: MOMO
・Composer: ZAKI
・Arrangement: Toshitaro
・Song by elika

・IN1
・"Chasing Shadow and Light"
Lyrics: MOMO
・Composition and arrangement: Rio Arai ・Singer: madoka

・IN2
・"Brave Shine"
Lyrics: Sumiyo Mutsumi; Composition and Arrangement: Rio Arai; Singer: Rieko Slick

・IN3
・"So Blue"
Lyrics: MOMO
・Composition and Arrangement: Rio Arai ・Vocals: Rieko Slick

Review and Recommendation

"The Steam Detectives" is a 26-episode TV anime series that aired on TV Tokyo from 1998 to 1999. It is based on the manga of the same name by Kia Asamiya. This work is a fusion of historical fantasy and action, depicting the exploits of the Boy Detectives, set in a fictional city called "Steam City" where steam engines are abnormally developed. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and features of this work, as well as recommended points.

Story and setting

The setting for "The Great Steam Detectives" is the imperial capital, Steam City, which is always shrouded in white smoke. In this city, no fuel other than coal is mined, so steam engines have developed abnormally. A young boy living in this city, Narutaki, follows his late father's wishes and becomes a detective, forming the Boy Detectives. They solve various cases and continue to fight against the evil that infests the city.

One of the attractions of this work is its unique worldview centered around steam engines. The depiction of the steam city is very realistic, and the way that steam engines permeate every aspect of life is depicted in detail. Another highlight is how the members of the detective team each have their own unique personalities and solve cases through teamwork.

character

The main character, Narutaki, is a young detective with genius deductive and action abilities. His growth and exploits are at the center of the story, and have the power to draw the viewer in. Shu Suzuzu is a beautiful girl with a scientist father and a literary writer mother, and plays an important role as Narutaki's supporter. Her reliable side and clumsy side are both charming.

Additionally, the Knight of the Phantom, Narutaki's greatest enemy, is a ruthless character with a mysterious background, adding tension to the story. Le Bread, a young phantom thief, appears as Narutaki's rival, and uses clever tricks to toy with the detective team. Shu Ranto and Kurenai Sasori are also unique characters who play important roles in adding excitement to the story.

Animation and Music

The animation for "The Steam Detectives" was produced by XEBEC and realistically recreates the atmosphere of the steam city. Character design by Akio Takami, mecha design by Takashi Hashimoto, and prop design by Makoto Uno are some of the impressive staff involved, making it visually appealing.

The music is handled by WinBee Corporation, and the theme songs and insert songs are also memorable. The opening theme "The Night You Smiled" is sung by elika, and it adds to the atmosphere of the story. The ending themes "Cowardly Emotion" and "Oasis" are also sung by elika, and are characterized by melodies and lyrics that resonate with the hearts of viewers. Additionally, the insert songs "Ouch to the Shadows," "Brave Shine," and "So Blue - Blue Fruit" are also used effectively to match the development of the story.

Recommended points

"The Steam Detectives" is especially recommended for those who like detective stories and historical fantasy. The unique world view centered around steam engines and the activities of unique characters are appealing. In addition, the story depicting the teamwork and growth of the Boy Detectives is also worth watching.

Furthermore, this work was produced to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Edogawa Ranpo, so you can feel the historical background of detective stories. The animation and music are of high quality, providing plenty of visual and auditory enjoyment.

Overall, "The Steam Detectives" is highly recommended for fans of detective stories and historical fantasy, and for those who value the quality of animation and music. Experience the unique atmosphere of the steam city and the adventures of the Boy Detectives.