"Tonton Atta" - A traditional Niigata story made into an anime, reviews and impressions

Tonton Atta - A Niigata Folktale - A fusion of Niigata's charming traditions and animation

In 2003, an animated series based on traditional folk tales from Niigata Prefecture, "Tonton Atto: Niigata no Mukashibanashi," was broadcast. This work was loved by many viewers for expressing the culture and history of the region in the form of animation. Below, we will introduce detailed information and the appeal of this work.

Overview

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

October 5, 2003 - December 28, 2003

■Frequencies

15 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 13

■ Production

Group Tuck

story

"Tonton Atto Niigata no Mukashibanashi" is centered around episodes based on traditional folk tales from Niigata Prefecture. Each episode features a different folk tale, depicting the adventures and growth of the characters that appear in it. While faithfully recreating the world of the folk tales, the expressiveness unique to anime brings out new charms.

For example, one episode tells the story of an elderly couple living deep in the snowy mountains of Niigata who encounter a snow spirit. In this episode, the harsh winter scenery of Niigata is beautifully depicted, and through their interaction with the snow spirit, the couple learns to respect and appreciate nature. Another episode depicts the connection between the blessings of the sea and the lives of the people through mysterious events that occur in a seaside village.

character

Different characters appear in each episode of this work, but what they all have in common is that they are all deeply connected to the nature and culture of Niigata. Below are some of the main characters.

• Snow Spirit - A character that symbolizes the harsh winters of Niigata. He has a kind and gentle personality, and there is a memorable episode in which he connects with an elderly couple.
• God of the Sea - The god who protects seaside villages. He is depicted as someone who supports the lives of fishermen and sometimes challenges them.
• Mountain Fairy - A fairy who lives deep in the mountains. A character who embodies the beauty and harshness of nature, she grows through her interactions with humans.

Background

"Tonton Atta to Niigata no Mukashibanashi" was produced by Group TAC, a production company that has worked on a number of popular anime, and this work also demonstrates their high level of technical skill and expressiveness. In animating this traditional folk tale from Niigata Prefecture, a lot of effort was put into gaining a deep understanding of the local culture and climate and expressing it visually.

The production team visited various parts of Niigata Prefecture and spoke directly to local people, which allowed them to accurately depict the background of the folktales and traditional scenery. In addition, the animation was produced using the latest technology while valuing the warmth of hand-drawn animation. This allowed them to faithfully reproduce the worldview of the folktales while bringing out the unique charm of anime.

Recognition and Awards

"Tonton Atta to Niigata no Mukashibanashi" was highly praised from the time it was broadcast. It was especially highly praised for its animation of traditional Niigata folk tales, and won many awards for its contribution to the dissemination and preservation of local culture. Below are some of the awards it has received.

• Association of Japanese Animation Award - Awarded for contributing to the dissemination and preservation of local culture
• Niigata Prefecture Cultural Award - Awarded in recognition of the achievements of animating traditional Niigata folk tales
• Kobe Animation Award - Awarded for outstanding animation work

Viewers' reactions

Viewers have commented that "Niigata's beautiful scenery and the world of folk tales are beautifully combined," "It's a work that can be enjoyed by both children and adults," and "It was a great opportunity to learn about Niigata's traditional culture." In addition, because each episode features a different folk tale, viewers have been praised for being able to experience fresh surprises and excitement every time.

In particular, children shared many comments such as "I loved the snow spirit and the sea god" and "The adventures of the mountain fairy were interesting," showing their affection for the characters. Adults also shared comments such as "I was moved to see a traditional Niigata folk tale in animation" and "I enjoyed watching it with my family," showing that the show has gained support from a wide range of generations.

Recommended points

"Tonton Atta: A Niigata Folktale" is an animated version of a traditional folktale from Niigata Prefecture, and is recommended for the following reasons.

• Spreading local culture - By animating traditional folk tales from Niigata Prefecture, we are spreading the culture and history of the region. Viewers can learn about the beautiful scenery and traditional life of Niigata.
• Beautiful animation - Group Tak's technical skill and expressiveness allow them to beautifully depict the world of folk tales. The animation combines the warmth of hand-drawn animation with the latest technology to create a visually stunning production.
• Family-friendly - Each episode features a different folktale, making it enjoyable for both children and adults. It's a great opportunity to watch with the family and share Niigata's traditional culture.
• Educational value - Folk tales can teach children about respect and gratitude for nature, the importance of human relationships, etc. They are also useful for educating children.

Related information

Related information about "Tonton Atta: A Niigata Folktale" is summarized below.

• Official website - Contains detailed information about the work, episode guides, character introductions, etc.
• Official SNS - Here you can find the latest information and interact with fans. There are accounts on Twitter and Instagram.
• Related books - Setting materials and character books for the work are published. It is full of must-see content for fans.
• Event information - Even after the series has finished airing, fan events and screenings are being held. You can find the latest information on the official website and social media.

summary

"Tonton Atto Niigata no Mukashibanashi" is an animated version of a traditional folk tale from Niigata Prefecture, and has been loved by many viewers. It is full of various charms, such as beautiful animation, promotion of local culture, a story that the whole family can enjoy, and educational value. Please experience the traditional culture and natural beauty of Niigata through this work.