The appeal and evaluation of "Zipangu": A masterpiece of marine adventure anime

Zipangu - Between time travel and history

Overview

Zipang is a TV anime series based on the manga by Kaiji Kawaguchi, which aired on the TBS network from October 7, 2004 to March 31, 2005. It consists of 26 episodes, each 30 minutes long. Animation was handled by Studio Deen and the director was Kazuhiro Furuhashi. Zipang tells the epic story of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Aegis destroyer Mirai, which travels back in time and lands in the middle of the Pacific War.

■ Story

In the year 200X, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's state-of-the-art Aegis destroyer Mirai sets sail from Yokosuka Base. However, on the way, it encounters an unidentified storm, and after the storm, Mirai travels back in time to the middle of the Pacific War. Equipped with modern weapons from 60 years in the future, Mirai becomes a threat that could change history. A history no one has ever seen before is about to begin... This story is taken from the Bandai Channel, but the charm of Zipangu begins with this time-slip setting.

■Explanation

The biggest appeal of Zipangu is the setting in which the cutting-edge technology of the JMSDF Aegis destroyer Mirai travels back in time to the Pacific Ocean during World War II. This setting presents viewers with a hypothetical world of "what if," making them think about the possibility of changing the course of history and its impact. This quote from d Anime Store captures the essence of Zipangu.

■Cast

The cast of Zipangu is as follows:

• Yosuke Kadomatsu/Toru Inada
• Takumi Soka/Hiroki Tochi
• Masayuki Kikuchi/Takanori Hoshino
• Kohei Oguri/Yuji Ueda
• Saburo Umezu/Yusaku Yara

These cast members play an important role in bringing the story to life by expressing the individuality of each character. In particular, Toru Inada, who plays Yosuke Kadomatsu, realistically portrayed the hot-blooded man who values ​​human life, eliciting sympathy from viewers.

■ Main staff

The main staff of Zipangu are as follows:

• Original story by Kaiji Kawaguchi (serialized in Kodansha's Morning magazine)
• Director and series composition: Kazuhiro Furuhashi
• Main writer: Yuichiro Takeda
• Main character design: Yoshihiko Magoe
• Sub-character design: Hirofumi Morimoto
• Mechanical design: Shohei Obara, Yasuhiro Nishinaka
• Prop design: Toru Sawamura
• Art Director: Nobuhito Sakamoto
• Color design: Shinji Matsumoto
• Director of photography: Masayuki Kawaguchi
• 3D Director: Baba Shudai
• Edited by Masahiro Matsumura
• Music by Toshihiko Sahashi
• Sound Director: Takuya Hiramitsu
• Producers: Amiko Takano, Hiroshi Tsuji, Atsushi Isoyama, Katsunori Naruke, Masahiro Watanabe, Kazunori Noguchi
• Animation producer/Iijima Koji
• Animation Production: Studio Deen
• Produced by: TBS, Team Mirai (Zipangu Production Committee)

These staff members worked together to create the worldview of Zipangu and move the audience. In particular, director Kazuhiro Furuhashi skillfully portrayed the difficult theme of time slip, successfully drawing the audience in. In addition, main character designer Yoshihiko Magoshi visually expressed the individuality of the characters, enriching the story.

■ Main Characters

The main characters of Zipangu are as follows:

• Yosuke Kadomatsu, First Officer and Chief Officer/Lieutenant Commander. A hot-blooded man who values ​​human life above all else, he rescues Kusaka.
• Masayuki Kikuchi, a Lieutenant Colonel, is a calm and collected theorist. He attended the same school as Kadomatsu at the National Defense Academy, and is afraid of tampering with history.
• In contrast to Nautical Officer Kohei Oguri/Lieutenant Commander Kikuchi, he advocates the use of force for self-defense. He attended the National Defense Academy in the same year as Kadomatsu.
• Captain Umezu Saburo / First Lieutenant Commander He is mocked as a daytime idiot, but he is actually a strong-willed man.
• Petty Officer First Class Yanagi Kazunobu
  He is an extreme war history geek.
• Katagiri: A freelance journalist aboard the Mirai.
• Lieutenant Commander Takumi Soka/Chief of the Communications Intelligence Staff. Historically, he was supposed to have died in battle at Midway, but his life was saved by Kadomatsu.

These characters each have different personalities, enriching the story. In particular, the relationship between Yosuke Kadomatsu and Takumi Kusaka symbolizes the central themes of Zipangu: "change in history" and "the sanctity of human life." In addition, the conflict between Masayuki Kikuchi and Kohei Oguri presents different perspectives on intervention in history, making the viewer think.

■Subtitle

The subtitles for each episode of Zipangu are as follows:

• Episode 1: Mirai Departs (2004/10/07)
• Episode 2: Midway (2004/10/14)
• Episode 3 / Drifter (2004/10/21)
• Episode 4: Battle of the Future (2004/10/28)
• Episode 5: Soka's Choice (2004/11/04)
• Episode 6: Attack Order (2004/11/11)
• Episode 7: Malayan Railway (2004/11/18)
• Episode 8: The Pursuer (2004/11/25)
• Episode 9: Deadline (2004/12/02)
• Episode 10: Exchange (2004/12/09)
• Episode 11: Guadalcanal Island (2004/12/16)
• Episode 12: Sagittarius' Arrow (2004/12/23)
• Episode 13: The Golden Country (2004/12/30)
• Episode 14: Clash! (2005/01/06)
• Episode 15: The Living and the Dead (2005/01/13)
• Episode 16: Major Okamura's Will (2005/01/20)
• Episode 17: Zipangu in the Fetus (2005/01/27)
• Episode 18: Reunion (2005/02/03)
• Episode 19: Another General Staff (2005/02/10)
• Episode 20/I-21 (2005/02/17)
• Episode 21: 1 vs 40 (2005/02/24)
• Episode 22: Warning (2005/03/03)
• Episode 23: Wasp Sinks (2005/03/10)
• Episode 24: The Dead and the Living (2005/03/17)
• Episode 25: Return (2005/03/24)
• Episode 26: The Place to Return (2005/03/31)

These subtitles not only indicate the development of the story, but also serve to arouse the viewer's interest. In particular, the structure starting with "Mirai Departs" and ending with "A Place to Return" emphasizes the theme of time travel. In addition, the inclusion of historical place names such as "Midway" and "Guadalcanal Island" in the subtitles allows the viewer to feel the connection between real history and the story.

■ Theme songs and music

The theme songs and music for Zipangu are as follows:

• OP1
  Compass Lyrics: Hironaga Masuda, Koshiro Honda Composition: Hironaga Masuda Arrangement: AUDIO RULEZ, Takeshi Fujii Vocals: AUDIO RULEZ
• ED1
  I'm Looking at You Lyrics: BEGIN
  Composer: BEGIN
  Arrangement: BEGIN
  Song: BEGIN

The opening theme "Rashinban" features AUDIO RULEZ's powerful voice and grand melody, symbolizing the epic story of "changing the flow of history," which is the theme of Zipangu. Meanwhile, the ending theme "I'm Looking at You" features BEGIN's gentle voice and warm melody, enhancing the moving scenes of the story. These songs are important elements that further deepen the worldview of Zipangu.

■ Evaluation and impressions

Zipang is a work that skillfully depicts the theme of time travel and leaves a deep impression on viewers. In particular, the relationship between Kadomatsu Yosuke and Kusaka Takumi, and the conflict between Kikuchi Masayuki and Oguri Kohei are thought-provoking elements. In addition, the setting in which the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Aegis destroyer Mirai, which boasts cutting-edge technology, travels back in time to the Pacific Ocean during World War II, presents viewers with a hypothetical world of "what if," and makes them think about the possibility of changing the course of history and the impact it would have.

Zipang's rating is as follows:

• Story: ★★★★★
  The story skillfully depicts the theme of time travel and leaves a lasting impression on viewers. In particular, the relationship between Yosuke Kadomatsu and Takumi Kusaka, and the conflict between Masayuki Kikuchi and Kohei Oguri are thought-provoking elements.
• Character: ★★★★★
  Each character has a different personality and enriches the story. In particular, the relationship between Yosuke Kadomatsu and Takumi Kusaka symbolizes the central themes of Zipangu: "change in history" and "the preciousness of human life." In addition, the conflict between Masayuki Kikuchi and Kohei Oguri presents different perspectives on intervention in history, making the viewer think.
• Music: ★★★★★
  The opening theme "Rashinban" and the ending theme "Kimi wo Miteiru" are important elements that further deepen the worldview of Zipangu. In particular, AUDIO RULEZ's powerful singing voice and grand melody of "Rashinban" symbolize Zipangu's theme of the grand story of "changing the flow of history." Meanwhile, BEGIN's gentle singing voice and warm melody of "Kimi wo Miteiru" enhance the moving scenes of the story.
• Animation: ★★★★★
  Studio Deen's high-quality animation realistically depicts the world of Zipangu. In particular, the battle scenes involving the JMSDF Aegis destroyer Mirai create tension in the viewers. In addition, the characters' expressions and movements are drawn in detail, helping the viewers to empathize with the characters.

■Reasons for recommendation

Zipang is a work that skillfully depicts the theme of time travel and leaves a deep impression on viewers. In particular, the relationship between Kadomatsu Yosuke and Kusaka Takumi, and the conflict between Kikuchi Masayuki and Oguri Kohei are thought-provoking elements. In addition, the setting in which the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Aegis destroyer Mirai, which boasts cutting-edge technology, travels back in time to the Pacific Ocean during World War II, presents viewers with a hypothetical world of "what if," and makes them think about the possibility of changing the course of history and the impact it would have.

Here are some reasons why we recommend Zipangu:

• The story skillfully depicts the theme of time travel and leaves a lasting impression on viewers. In particular, the relationship between Yosuke Kadomatsu and Takumi Kusaka, and the conflict between Masayuki Kikuchi and Kohei Oguri are thought-provoking elements.
• Each character has a different personality and enriches the story. In particular, the relationship between Yosuke Kadomatsu and Takumi Kusaka symbolizes the central themes of Zipangu: "change in history" and "the preciousness of human life." In addition, the conflict between Masayuki Kikuchi and Kohei Oguri presents different perspectives on intervention in history, making the viewer think.
• The opening theme "Rashinban" and the ending theme "Kimi wo Miteiru" are important elements that further deepen the worldview of Zipangu. In particular, AUDIO RULEZ's powerful singing voice and grand melody of "Rashinban" symbolize Zipangu's theme of the grand story of "changing the flow of history." Meanwhile, BEGIN's gentle singing voice and warm melody of "Kimi wo Miteiru" enhance the moving scenes of the story.
• Studio Deen's high-quality animation realistically depicts the world of Zipangu. In particular, the battle scenes involving the JMSDF Aegis destroyer Mirai create tension in the viewers. In addition, the characters' expressions and movements are drawn in detail, helping the viewers to empathize with the characters.

■ Related works

The works related to Zipangu are as follows:

• Original manga "Zipangu" (Kaiji Kawaguchi/serialized in Kodansha's Morning magazine)
  The Zipang anime is based on the original manga, which delves deeper into the theme of time travel and tells a deeply moving story.
• Other works in the "time slip" genre, like Zipang, include "Steins;Gate" and "Overlord." These works also skillfully depict the theme of time slip, making for moving stories for viewers.

■How to watch

You can watch Zipang in the following ways:

• Bandai Channel Zipangu is distributed on Bandai Channel. Bandai Channel allows you to watch all 26 episodes of Zipangu.
• d Anime Store Zipang is also available on the d Anime Store. All 26 episodes of Zipang are available to watch on the d Anime Store.
• DVD/Blu-ray
  Zipangu is also available on DVD/Blu-ray. The DVD/Blu-ray contains all 26 episodes of Zipangu. It also includes bonus footage and booklets.

Conclusion

Zipang is a work that skillfully depicts the theme of time travel and leaves viewers in awe. In particular, the relationship between Kadomatsu Yosuke and Kusaka Takumi, and the conflict between Kikuchi Masayuki and Oguri Kohei are elements that make viewers think. In addition, the setting in which the JMSDF Aegis destroyer Mirai, which boasts cutting-edge technology, travels back in time to the Pacific Ocean during World War II presents viewers with a hypothetical world of "what if," making them think about the possibility of changing the course of history and its impact. Zipang is recommended for those who enjoy the theme of time travel and those looking for a work that makes them think about the possibility of changing the course of history and its impact.