Review of "Nasu: Andalusian Summer": A moving journey and the magic of music

"Nasu: Andalusian Summer": A story where bicycle racing and life intersect

■Overview of the work

"Nasu: Andalusian Summer" is a Japanese animated film released on July 26, 2003. It is based on "Andalusian Summer", a short story collected in the manga collection "Nasu" by Kuroda Io, and was animated by Madhouse. It was directed by Takasaka Kitaro, who also wrote the screenplay. It was distributed by Asmik Ace Entertainment, and its Eirin number is 26862. It is a 47-minute short film, with a complete story in one episode. Copyright belongs to "©2003 "Nasu: Andalusian Summer" Production Committee".

■ Story

Pepe Venengeri was riding hard on the dry roads of southern Spain. He was participating in the Vuelta a España, one of the three major bicycle races in the world. However, he had no wins this season, and in the middle of the race, his sponsor, Paopao Beer, notified him that their contract was terminated. Meanwhile, Pepe passed through the village in Andalusia where he was born and raised. The words "VENGA Pe Pe" (Go! Pepe) were written on the road, and the villagers cheered him on. There, the wedding of Pepe's older brother Angel and his former girlfriend Carmen was taking place.

Bicycles used to be a shared hobby for brothers Ángel and Pepe, and they would fight over them to get them. Carmen was also important to the brothers. When Ángel enlisted in the military, Carmen became his. As the finish line approached, various thoughts ran through Pepe's mind. "... Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to leave the place where I was born. I want to go far away." Suddenly, a black cat named Negro jumped out onto the road, and the race took an unexpected turn. Will Pepe have a moment to shine? A small dream that the man who devoted his life to running had in the end. It was the memorable taste of "eggplant."

■Explanation

"Nasu: Summer in Andalusia" is an animated film based on "Summer in Andalusia", a short story included in Kuroda Io's manga collection "Nasu". It was released in cinemas nationwide affiliated with Shochiku and Tokyu on July 26, 2003, and distributed by Asmik Ace Entertainment. The film's running time is 47 minutes, about half the length of a typical film, and when it was released in theaters, tickets were half the normal price, which caused quite a stir. This film portrayed a profound human drama in a short time, leaving a strong impression on audiences.

■Cast

Pepe Benenheri: Yo Oizumi Carmen Pascual Dominguez: Eiko Koike Angel Benenheri: Toshio Kakei

■ Main staff

Original author: Io Kuroda・Director, scriptwriter, animation director: Kitaro Kosaka・Director: Atsushi Takahashi・Assistant animation director: Michio Mihara・Art setting: Yuji Ikeda・Prop design: Kazuhide Tomonaga・Art director: Naoya Tanaka・Directors of photography: Hisao Shirai, Kishi Katsuyoshi・Editors: Takeshi Seyama, Yoshiko Kimura・HD editing: Tomoyuki Kajita, Tomoya Yamamoto・Music: Toshiyuki Honda・Music producer: Kozue Okada・Sound director: Masafumi Mima・Sound effects: Shizuo Kurahashi・Sound direction: Tsutomu Kashiwakura・Executive producer: Tamotsu Shiina・Producer: Masao Maruyama

■ Main Characters

Pepe is a support rider for the Benenheri Team Paopao Beer, and is a man who left his hometown of Andalusia to take part in the race. With many thoughts in his mind, he is single-mindedly aiming for the horizon.
Carmen Pascual: Dominguez Pepe's former lover, who will become Angel's bride today. She is a character with dignified beauty and a warm kindness.
Ángel Benengel is Pepe's older brother and was more successful than Pepe in amateur races. Even though he knows about Pepe and Carmen's past, he looks at Pepe with warmth as a brother and a man.

■ Related works

＜DVD＞
■ Low-priced version
Released on October 24, 2007
VPBV-12829 Tax included ￥2,940
47 minutes of content + bonus footage / Color / Stereo / Dolby Digital 5.1ch / Single-sided 1-layer / 4:3
＜Blu-ray＞
Released on March 18, 2009
VPXV-71011 Tax included ￥5,040
47 minutes main feature + bonus footage / Color / Stereo / Linear PCM 2.0 / Dolby-TrueHD 5.1 / dts-Master Audio 5.1 / Single-sided, single layer / 16:9 (effective screen 4:3) / 1080P High-Definition

■ Theme songs and music

・Ending theme "Bicycle Show Song"
Lyrics: Tetsuro Hoshino Composition: Gendai Kanae Arrangement: Kiyoshiro Imawano Sung by: Kiyoshiro Imawano

■ Evaluation and impressions

"Eggplant: Andalusian Summer" is a film that succeeds in depicting a deep human drama in its short running time. The story of Pepe's bicycle race and his life intersect deeply moves the audience. In particular, Pepe's feelings for his hometown, his relationship with his brother Ángel, and his complicated feelings for Carmen are carefully portrayed, moving the audience's hearts. The beautiful scenery of southern Spain and the tension of the race are also beautifully portrayed.

The appeal of this film is, above all, its realistic portrayal of human beings. Pepe's suffering and conflict, and his attachment to the taste of "eggplant," the little dream he finally finds, evoke deep sympathy in the audience. Also, the warm gaze of his brother Angel and the kindness of Carmen are also impressive. Furthermore, the presence of Negro, a black cat who appears during the race, adds depth to the story.

The music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. Toshiyuki Honda's music skillfully expresses Pepe's inner thoughts and draws the audience into the world of the story. In addition, the ending theme "Bicycle Show Song", combined with Kiyoshiro Imawano's powerful singing voice, is a song that symbolizes the theme of the work.

■ Recommendation points

"Eggplant: Andalusian Summer" is a human drama set in a bicycle race. It succeeds in conveying a deep story in a short running time, deeply moving the audience. In particular, Pepe's feelings for his hometown, his relationship with his brother Ángel, and his complicated feelings towards Carmen are carefully portrayed, moving the audience's hearts. The beautiful scenery of southern Spain and the tension of the race are also beautifully portrayed.

This work is recommended not only for bicycle racing fans, but also for those who want to enjoy human drama. It has been especially praised for its success in depicting a deep story in a short time. The music and ending theme are also important elements that enhance the appeal of the work. Please give it a watch.