The appeal and reviews of "Kaikokiden Hiwou Senki": An anime experience not to be missed

A comprehensive review and recommendation of Karakurikiden Hiwousenki

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

October 24, 2000 - May 1, 2001

■Broadcasting station

NHK BS-2

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 26

■Original Story

・Original work: BONES・Noboru Aikawa

■ Director

Amino Tetsuro

■ Production

Animation Production: Bones Production: Hiwow Production Committee

■Works

© BONES・Noboru Aikawa © Hiwou Production Committee

■ Story

Japan, eight years after the arrival of the Black Ships. Amidst the chaos in the world, a group of boys and girls (the oldest is 16 years old, the youngest is only 1 year and 2 months old!) operate giant clockwork robots that are 30 shaku (about 9 meters) tall. One of the highlights is when the main character, Hiwou, meets historical figures such as Ryoma Sakamoto. This fantastical story is woven with the sparkling dynamism of children.

■Explanation

This was Bones' first TV series. It began airing on NHK BS-2 every Tuesday from 6:30pm in October 2000. Bones has since become known as a studio that has produced many masterpieces, but this work could be considered the origin of that. The quality of the animation is high, and many viewers were particularly astonished by the design and movement of the mechanisms. In addition, the story, which was told from the perspective of children while skillfully incorporating the historical background of the end of the Edo period, provided viewers with a fresh and moving experience.

■Cast

・Hiwow/Kuwashima Houko・Machi/Mizuhashi Kaori・Shishi/Aikawa Rikako・Sai/Tobita Nobuo・Mayu/Yajima Akiko・Tetsu/Teppozuka Yoko・Saitani/Inoue Kazuhiko・Hana/Ikezawa Haruna・Yuki/Minami Omi・Arashi/Miki Shinichiro

■ Main staff

・Original work / BONES・Noboru Aikawa・Director / Tetsuro Amino・Character design / Koji Osaka, Hajime Jinguji・Mechanical design / Junya Ishigaki・Historical research / Tetsunori Iwashita・Chief animation director / Koji Osaka・Art director / Nobuto Sakamoto・Color design / Kenji Chiba・Director of photography / Yoichi Ogami・Sound director / Yasuo Urakami・Producers / Katsuhiko Goto, Toyoyuki Yokohama, Mitsuru Oshima, Shiro Sasaki, Tadafumi Tsumi, Masahiko Minami・Music / Hiroshi Yamaguchi (Heatwave)
・Opening theme "Hiwou no Theme" by Hiroshi Yamaguchi ・Ending theme "CROSSROAD" by Kumiko Endo

■ Main Characters

A boy from the Hiwou "machine people". He is full of curiosity, acts without fear of failure, and has a lively personality that never gives up. He is particularly unstoppable when it comes to karakuri. He controls the karakuri "Homura" that he obtained in his hometown village together with Shishi. (8 years old)
A girl from the "Machine People" who is as energetic as Machi Hiwou and Shishi. Perhaps because she is similar to Hiwou in that she has a strong competitive spirit, she always ends up arguing with him. (9 years old)
A boy from the "Machine People" who is always fighting with Shishihiwou and is proud of his strength. But when he and Hiwou team up to control "fire", they become the best partners? (8 years old)
・Sahihiwou's older brother. He is kind, caring, and calm. He is a leader not only for Hiwou but for everyone. Compared to his mischievous younger brother, Hiwou, he is very quiet. (16 years old)
・Mayuhiwou's older sister. But she's also like a mother to everyone. She's usually very gentle, but sometimes she takes drastic action for the sake of everyone. (12 years old)
・Tetsuhiwou's younger brother. He is adorable when he follows his older brother around, and can only speak broken Japanese. He is surprisingly stubborn and active, which is probably because he resembles Hiwou? (Age 5)
・Jobuhiwou's younger brother. The youngest baby in the group. He is not afraid of the harsh journey, and is strong and growing well! (1 year and 2 months old)

■Subtitle

・Episode 1: Run! Flame
Episode 2: Look! This is a Karakuri (mechanical device)Episode 3: Revenge!? The arrival of a Bakumatsu heroEpisode 4: Win or lose! Arashi vs. HiwouEpisode 5: Farewell? Tetsu and KokeshiEpisode 6: Aim! Beyond the mountainEpisode 7: Protect! Secret flowers and snowEpisode 8: Betrayal? Machi vanished in the snowy mountainsEpisode 9: Fierce battle! Where's DadEpisode 10: It's the Chinese! There's a commotion at the snowy innEpisode 11: Why? The man who hates mechanical devicesEpisode 12: Divine punishment! Who is rightEpisode 13: Chest! The blade shines in the demon world of KyotoEpisode 14: It's huge! The Tengu's sword sleeping in the demon worldEpisode 15: Don't cry! HanaEpisode 16: Cross! Beyond the rapids・Episode 17/We met! The beginning of sadness・Episode 18/A lie! The dream my father had・Episode 19/Hiwow in danger! The Three Swords of Karakuri・Episode 20/Father! Time to leave・Episode 21/Stormy! The Straits of Shimonoseki・Episode 22/Don't go, Hana! The children's battlefield・Episode 23/Can you hear it? The voice of the flames・Episode 24/Burn! Dad's clever machine・Episode 25/Dance! Our festival・Episode 26/Farewell Ryoma! To the town that will soon be called Tokyo

■ Theme songs and music

・OP
・Hiwou's Theme ・Composition and Arrangement: Hiroshi Yamaguchi ・Performance: Heatwave

・ED
・CROSSROAD
・Singer: Kumiko Endo

■Detailed evaluation

"Kaiko Kiden Hiwou Senki" is a TV anime series produced by Bones that aired from 2000 to 2001. It is set in Japan at the end of the Edo period and depicts the adventures of children who control giant clockwork-powered robots. As this is an original anime, it is full of free ideas and creativity. Below, we will provide a detailed review from various perspectives, including the story, characters, production, and music.

story

The story is set in Japan eight years after the arrival of the Black Ships. The historical backdrop is the end of the Edo period, a time of great change, and the theme of the story is how children will live in a time of great social change. The children of the "Machine People", including the protagonist Hiwou, control giant clockwork-powered robots called "Karakuri" and take on various adventures and battles. History fans will also find it fascinating when they encounter historical figures such as Sakamoto Ryoma. The story is told from the children's perspective, emphasizing universal themes such as purity, hope, and friendship. Although each episode is self-contained, there is a consistent theme throughout, which draws the viewer in.

character

Another major feature of this work is the appeal of its characters. The main character, Hiwou, is a lively boy who is curious and acts without fear of failure. His adventurous spirit and attitude of valuing friendship resonate with viewers. Hiwou's companions also have strong personalities, and his relationships with Machi and Shishi in particular are important elements that add excitement to the story. Hiwou's older brother, Sai, is a calm character who shows leadership, and his presence supports the group. Furthermore, the family bonds between Hiwou's sister Mayu, and brothers Tetsu and Jobu are also depicted, conveying the warmth of familial love. The growth and changes of each character are also points not to be missed, and will deeply move viewers.

Production

Bones' production skills are fully demonstrated in this work. In particular, the design and movement of the mechanisms are extremely realistic, creating a strong visual impact. The character designs are also appealing, with the children's expressions and movements depicted in great detail. Additionally, the backgrounds and art, based on historical research, are also superb, realistically recreating Japan at the end of the Edo period. The technical skills of the staff, including chief animation director Koji Osaka and art director Nobuhito Sakamoto, are highly praised. Furthermore, the sound effects and background music by sound director Yasuo Urakami are also important elements that add excitement to the story and enhance the emotions of the viewer.

music

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. The opening theme, "Hiwou no Theme," was composed and arranged by Yamaguchi Hiroshi and performed by Heatwave. This song features a powerful melody that evokes a sense of adventure and hope, and will inspire the viewer. Meanwhile, the ending theme, "CROSSROAD," features the gentle singing voice of Endo Kumiko, and serves to deepen the moving story. The background music is also used skillfully in line with the development of the story, and has the effect of bringing out the viewer's emotions.

■Recommendation details

"Kaiko Kiden Hiwou Senki" is a work that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. It is especially recommended for those who like history and robots. It is also perfect for those who like stories about friendship and family love. Please refer to the following points when watching it.

Recommended points

• Historical background : The story is set during the historical turning point of the end of the Edo period, making it an interesting read for history buffs. Encounters with historical figures such as Ryoma Sakamoto are also a highlight.
• Appealing characters : The growth and changes of unique characters such as Hiwou are depicted, deeply moving viewers.
• Production quality : This work is a testament to Bones's high production skills, with a strong visual impact from the mechanism design and movement, character design, and background art.
• Musical appeal : The opening theme "Hiwou no Theme" and the ending theme "CROSSROAD" are important elements that add excitement to the story. They have the effect of evoking the emotions of the viewer.
• Universality of themes : The stories depict universal themes such as friendship, family love, adventure and hope, making them enjoyable for children and adults alike.

■ Summary

"Kaiko Kiden Hiwou Senki" was Bones' first TV series, but it can also be said to be the starting point for their subsequent masterpieces. Set in Japan at the end of the Edo period, this work depicts the adventures of children who control giant clockwork-powered robots, and is packed with a variety of elements, including historical background, charming characters, production quality, and appealing music. It depicts universal themes such as friendship, family love, a sense of adventure, and hope, and can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Please watch it and experience its charm.