Earth Defense Family review: Family ties and space battles

A comprehensive review and recommendation of Earth Defense Family

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

January 9, 2001 - March 29, 2001
As the first episode has not aired, there will be 13 episodes in total.

■Broadcasting station

WOWOW

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 14

■Original Story

Original story: Shoji Kawamori, Group Tac

■ Director

・Director: Kimura Tetsu

■ Production

Produced by Bandai Visual, Group TAC

■Works

© Masaharu Kawamori/G. TAC/BANDAI VISUAL, GROUP TAC

■ Story

A not-too-distant future from the present. In Funabashi, Chiba, near the capital Tokyo. The Daichi family, a family of four, lives in a corner of a high-rise apartment building. The family was on the verge of falling apart due to divorce, but they are reunited by a certain mission. It is a mission to defend the Earth! The Earth is being targeted by aliens! A mysterious entity gives the Daichi family the power to face off against a powerful enemy. However, they cannot win this battle with strength alone. The most important condition for victory is the unity of the family! Can this family, with their feelings divided, protect the Earth from the invaders? What is the future of the Earth... And what is their fate...?

■Cast

・Daichi Dai / Kumai Motoko ・Daichi Mamoru / Kamiya Akira ・Daichi Seiko / Koyama Mami ・Daichi Nozomi / Shimizu Kaori ・Shiratori Ellen / Yajima Akiko ・Ejima Junko / Mizutani Yuko

■ Main staff

・Original work: Shoji Kawamori, Group TAC・Director: Satoshi Kimura・Character design, chief animation director: Kazuaki Mori・Assistant chief animation director: Nobuhiro Osugi・Mecha and creature design: Shoji Kawamori, Tomoki Kyoda, Kazutaka Miyatake・Art director: Takashi Nakamura, Takashi Miyano・Color setting: Keiko Goto・Director of photography: Yasuyoshi Toyonaga・Editor: Masashi Furukawa・Sound director: Yota Tsuruoka・Music: Shigeo Naka (The Surf Coasters)
Music Production: Victor Entertainment Production: Bandai Visual, Group TAC

■ Main Characters

・Daichi (Kumai Motoko) /
He becomes a fighter who directly confronts the enemy (mainly hand-to-hand combat). He has a bright, lively personality, and is a rare hot-blooded brat these days! Because of this, he stands out a bit from his classmates who are of the video game generation. His behavior may seem rude at first glance, but it's actually a reaction to the problems his family has... Contrary to his name, he is short, and his friends often tease him.
・Mamoru Daichi (Akira Kamiya) /
A typical apathetic father who is common among couples who have reached a slump in their marriage. Although he has hidden talent, he is unable to use it at work and spends his days in front of a monitor, absorbed in playing games. He is a member of the otaku generation and has a wealth of trivia knowledge, and during the defense system he uses his knowledge to serve as a strategic adviser. He is from the generation that admired TV superheroes, and feels something burning when he hears the words "Earth defense."
・ Seiko Daichi (Mami Koyama) /
She is the center of the family and acts as a commander during battles. She regrets her marriage to Mamoru, who never seems to get ahead, calling it a "youthful mistake," and as a reaction to this, she hates the idea of ​​settling down as a full-time housewife. She tries to look young, which is embarrassing, and when she goes out, she calls herself single. She is so busy with work that she completely abandons housework.
・Daichi Nozomi (Shimizu Kaori) /
He is the one who holds the family together. He has to do all the housework his mother has abandoned, take care of his younger brother, and even has his own high school entrance exams coming up. In battle, he is busy cleaning up after his unruly family, just like his duties at home. He is the most practical of the family, and hates that their defenses encroach on their private life. In a way, he is the biggest victim of this typhoon-like family.
・Ellen Shiratori (Akiko Yajima) /
A mysterious beautiful girl transfers into Dai's class. She is constantly watching the family's actions. Who is she?
・Junko Ejima (Yuko Mizutani) /
He is the homeroom teacher for class 2, 3rd grade at Kibougaoka Elementary School, where Dai attends. He is always having a hard time dealing with Dai's mischievous behavior, but he has an unexpected relationship with his father, Mamoru!

■Subtitle

Episode 1: The Last Day on EarthEpisode 2: Everyone's Falling ApartEpisode 3: Yellow CampEpisode 4: Astonishing!
・Episode 5/Special training!
Episode 6: Warrior's Rest Episode 7: That Guy in the Rain Episode 8: Cute Invader Episode 9: The Day Love Destroys the Earth Episode 10: In Front of Hachiko, 8pm Episode 11: Horror!
・Unaired episode/Scream!
・Episode 12/Birthday of Flames ・Episode 13/Final Battle!

A comprehensive review and recommendation of Earth Defense Family

Earth Defense Family is an original anime series that aired in 2001, based on the original story by Shoji Kawamori and Group Tac, and directed by Satoshi Kimura. The series skillfully combines the themes of family ties and Earth defense, providing viewers with deep emotions and laughter. Below, we will provide a detailed review and recommendation of this series.

Story and Themes

The story of Earth Defense Family is set in Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture, in a not-too-distant future. The main characters, the Daichi family, are on the brink of divorce, but are suddenly given the mission of defending the Earth, and the family reunites. This setting tests the ties of family while also depicting the grand theme of Earth defense.

The story depicts how the family works together to overcome different invaders and problems in each episode. Particularly memorable are episodes such as episode 9, "The Day Love Destroys the Earth," and episode 13, "The Final Battle," in which the family's unity is put to the test. These episodes remind viewers of the importance of family ties.

In addition, the story of all 14 episodes, including the unaired episode "Scream!", consistently depicts the growth and bond of a family, deeply moving viewers. In particular, the final episode "The Final Battle!" is a moving scene in which the family joins forces to protect the Earth, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.

character

Each character in Earth Defense Family is unique and charming. The main character, Daichi Daichi, is a bright and active boy who has family problems but is impressive for how he faces them in a positive way. His character resonates with viewers and is at the center of the story.

The father, Mamoru Daichi, is a typical lethargic father who has reached a rut in his marriage, but he reaffirms his love for his family through the mission of defending the Earth. His character teaches the viewer the importance of family. The mother, Seiko Daichi, is the central figure who holds the family together and acts as a commander during battles. Her character leaves a strong impression on the viewer.

The older sister, Nozomi Daichi, is the most realistic character in the family and struggles to solve the family's problems. Her character provides a realistic perspective to the audience and deepens the story. The mysterious beautiful girl Ellen Shiratori and the homeroom teacher Junko Ejima are also important characters who give depth to the story.

Production and staff

Bandai Visual and Group TAC were in charge of the production of Earth Defense Family. Director Satoshi Kimura was particular about the development of the story and the portrayal of the characters, creating a work that moved the audience. Kazuaki Mori, who was in charge of character design and general animation director, provided designs that brought out the individuality of the characters, capturing the hearts of viewers.

Shoji Kawamori, Tomoki Kyoda, and Kazutaka Miyatake, who were in charge of mecha and creature design, paid particular attention to the design of the invaders, leaving a strong impression on viewers, while art directors Takashi Nakamura and Takashi Miyano realistically depicted the scenery of Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture, where the story takes place, providing viewers with a sense of immersion.

Sound director Yota Tsuruoka focused on the character voices and sound effects to enhance the viewers' emotions, while music composer Shigeo Naka (The Surf Coasters) provided music that matched the story's development, moving the viewers' hearts.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Earth Defense Family" is a work that skillfully combines the themes of family ties and the defense of the Earth, providing viewers with deep emotions and laughter. In particular, the characters' personalities and growth are depicted, evoking empathy from viewers. The production staff's attention to detail is also evident, making it a work that captures the hearts of viewers.

This work not only reminds viewers of the importance of family ties, but also inspires viewers through the grand theme of Earth defense. I highly recommend it to viewers who have family issues or who are concerned about the future of the Earth. I also recommend it to anime fans and viewers looking for a family-friendly work.

"Earth Defense Family" is not only a work that will move viewers and make them laugh, but also a work that will make them think about family ties and the future of the Earth. Please watch this work and reaffirm the importance of family ties.