NAGASAKI1945 Angelus's Bell: Review and recommendation of the anime that depicts a historical and moving story

NAGASAKI1945 Angelus Bell - Nagasaki 1945 Angelus Bell

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

September 9, 2005 - January 1, 2000

■Frequencies

80 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Tatsuichiro Akizuki "Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Chronicle" "Concentric Circles of Death"

■ Director

Seiji Arihara

■ Production

Produced by: "NAGASAKI 1945 Angelus no Kane" Production Committee Animation Production: Mushi Production

■Works

©”NAGASAKI ANGELUS BELL・1945”PRODUCTIONCOMMITTEE

■ Story

On August 9, 1945, Akizuki Tatsuichiro, a young doctor working at a hospital 1.4 kilometers from the hypocenter, was exposed to radiation himself, but he continued to desperately treat the victims. As the death toll spreads in concentric circles from the hypocenter, and the symptoms are more gruesome than anything he has ever experienced, Akizuki, as a scientist, is convinced that a nuclear warhead has been used, but is powerless to do anything... The awakening to love for humanity born from suffering, and the 40 days leading to rebirth. This is the true story that took place at Urakami First Hospital near Urakami Cathedral, where the beautiful Angelus bells chimed the time.

■Explanation

This feature-length film was produced using as reference the book written by Akizuki Tatsuichiro, a doctor who worked at Nagasaki Urakami First Hospital, which was hit by the atomic bomb. On October 25, 2007, it was screened at the United Nations in New York, co-sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, and the NGO Disarmament. The visually realistic reproduction of the atomic bombing based on many documents conveys the horrors of war, death, and radiation, as well as the importance of peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons. The film was completed with the support and cooperation of many others, including actor Kobayashi Keiju, Tsukushi Tetsuya, and Yoshinaga Sayuri.

■Cast

Narration: Keiju Kobayashi, Tatsuichiro Akizuki, Kentaro Ito, Sugako Murai, Keiko Okawa, Kappei Yamaguchi, Kenji Hamada, Fumiya Yazaki, Shun Tanikawa, Masako Isobe, Akiko Matsukuma, Takehiro Koyama, Michiyo Yanagisawa

■ Main staff

Produced by: "NAGASAKI 1945 The Angelus Bell" Production Committee Original story by: Tatsuichiro Akizuki "The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Chronicle" and "Concentric Circles of Death"
・Director, scriptwriter, storyboard artist: Seiji Arihara ・Planning, production: Tetsuo Terashima, Akira Ito, Yoichi Hosaka, Masaru Takimoto, Chizumi Tomokawa ・Producer: Masaaki Fujita ・Character design, animation director: Takaya Ono ・Art director: Mitsuki Nakamura, Mitsuyo Akutsu ・Music: Reijiro Koroku ・Music production: Company AZA
・Color setting: Yuko Asami, Yuko Nishikawa ・Director of photography: Toshiaki Yamaguchi ・Editing: Masaki Sakamoto (Morita Editing Office)
・Sound Director: Mizumoto Kan ・Sound Production: Zack Promotion ・Animation Production: Mushi Production

■Detailed evaluation and recommendation

■ Background and significance of the work

"NAGASAKI 1945 Anzelus no Chime" is an animated film depicting the devastation caused by the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. The film is based on the books "Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Chronicle" and "Concentric Circles of Death" written by Tatsuichiro Akizuki, a doctor who worked at the Nagasaki Urakami First Hospital, which was hit by the bomb, and has a realistic depiction and deep message. Director Seiji Arihara created this film to convey the tragedy of war and the preciousness of peace. In 2007, it was screened at the United Nations in New York, sending a strong message to the international community.

■Story development and impressions

The story begins with Akizuki Tatsuichiro, a young doctor working at a hospital 1.4 kilometers from the hypocenter, desperately continuing to treat patients despite being exposed to radiation. Faced with the fear of the death toll expanding in concentric circles from the hypocenter and the horrific symptoms he had never experienced before, Akizuki is convinced that a nuclear warhead had been used. However, in the midst of his helpless and anguished state, the story depicts the 40 days in which he awakens to love for humanity and searches for a path to recovery. This is the true story of what happened at Urakami First Hospital near Urakami Cathedral, where the beautiful Angelus bell chimes the hour, and makes a strong appeal to the horrors of war and the preciousness of peace.

What is so moving about this work is Akizuki Tatsuichiro's humanity and his awakening to love for humanity born from his suffering. The way he continues to treat the victims of the atomic bombing, never giving up despite witnessing their suffering, deeply moves the audience. In addition, by depicting the horror of war and the preciousness of peace, the work also conveys a strong message calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

■ Evaluation of video and music

"NAGASAKI 1945 The Angelus Bell" is highly praised for its animation by Mushi Production. The scene of the atomic bombing, visually realistically recreated based on numerous sources, conveys the horror of war, death, and radiation. The detailed depictions by character designer and animation director Takaya Ono realistically express the suffering of the victims and the anguish of the doctors. Additionally, the background art by art directors Mitsuki Nakamura and Mitsuyo Akutsu beautifully depicts the scenery of Nagasaki.

The music was composed by Reijiro Koroku and produced by Company AZA. The music enhances the emotions as the story unfolds, and the sound of the Angelus bells in particular symbolizes the theme of the entire work. Sound director Kan Mizumoto and Zack Promotion's sound production also draws the audience in with realistic sound effects.

■ Cast performances

The deep voice of narrator Kobayashi Keiju brings out the profound depth of the story. Ito Kentaro, who plays Akizuki Tatsuichiro, realistically portrays the suffering of the atomic bomb victims and the anguish of the doctor. Okawa Keiko, who plays Murai Sugako, and the other cast members also realistically express the suffering of the atomic bomb victims and the grief of their families. In particular, Yamaguchi Kappei and Hamada Kenji's performances convey the suffering of the atomic bomb victims realistically.

■ Recommendations and how to watch

"NAGASAKI 1945 Angelus" is a moving film that depicts the misery of war and the preciousness of peace. It is especially recommended for those who are interested in issues of war and nuclear weapons, and those who want to learn from historical events. It is also recommended for those who want to enjoy beautiful animation and a profound message. This film will be available on DVD and online after its theatrical release. Please watch it and feel the misery of war and the preciousness of peace.

■ Related information and recommended works

We recommend the following works as related to "NAGASAKI1945 Anzeras Bell."

• "Barefoot Gen" - A classic animated film that depicts the horrors of war and the value of peace.
• "In This Corner of the World" - a moving story about everyday life affected by war.
• "Grave of the Fireflies" - A masterpiece from Studio Ghibli that depicts the horrors of war and brotherly love.

Like "NAGASAKI1945 Anzeras no Chime," these works also depict the horrors of war and the preciousness of peace, and are deeply moving. Please give them a watch.