Science Year 6 Mysterious Information Bureau: Evaluation and recommendations of anime that explore the appeal of science

Science 6th grade Mysterious Information Bureau - Rikarokunen Mysterious Information Bureau

overview

"Science 6th Grade: Mysterious Information Bureau" is an anime series that aired on NHK Educational TV from April 12, 2006 to March 7, 2007. The show was created with the aim of conveying the fun of science to children. It consists of 20 episodes, each of which focuses on a different scientific theme. It is an original anime work, and is based on the original work by NHK.

Broadcast information

Broadcast period: April 12, 2006 to March 7, 2007 Broadcast station: NHK Educational TV Broadcast time: Wednesdays 10:15-10:30
Number of episodes: 20 in total

Production information

Director: KATHO
CG production: Shinya Kato Copyright: ©NHK

cast

・BRAVO/Bucky Kiba ・Narration/Hiromi Tsuru

Main Staff

・Original story: NHK
・Director: KATHO
・Character design: Hiroyuki Arai ・Animation: Shinya Kato, Masahiro Yasuda ・Art: Hiroyuki Arai ・Music: Kimitaka Matsumae ・CG production: Shinya Kato

subtitle

・scene 01/Today's theme: Burning things (2006/04/12)
・scene 02／Today's theme: What comes out when it burns (2006/04/26)
・scene 03／Today's theme: Smoking and exhaling (2006/05/17)
・scene 04／Today's theme: What happens if you eat it? (2006/05/31)
・scene 05／Today's theme: Flowing blood (2006/06/14)
・scene 06/Today's theme: Growing plants (2006/06/28)
・scene 07／Today's theme: Human and animal bodies (2006/07/12)
・scene 08／Today's theme: What's under the ground? (2006/08/23)
・scene 09／Today's theme: A mountain that erupts fire (2006/09/13)
・Scene 10/Today's Theme: Shaking Earth (2006/09/27)
・Scene 11/Today's Theme: Acid and Alkaline (2006/10/11)
・Scene 12/Today's theme: Water dissolves things (2006/10/25)
・Scene 13/Today's Theme: Useful Chemistry (2006/11/08)
・Scene 14/Today's Theme: Air around the Earth (2006/11/22)
・scene 15／Today's theme: Is the Earth round? (2006/12/06)
・scene 16／Today's Theme: Mysterious Electromagnets (2007/01/10)
・Scene 17/Today's Theme: Working Electromagnets (2007/01/24)
・Scene 18/Today's Theme: Future Energy (2007/02/07)
・Scene 19/Today's Theme: Relationships between Forest Creatures (2007/02/21)
・scene 20／Today's theme: The Earth is One (2007/03/07)

Detailed episode commentary

Each episode revolves around a scientific theme and is designed to keep children interested. Below are detailed descriptions of each episode.

scene 01／Today's theme: Burning things (2006/04/12)

This episode explains the mechanism of combustion. It uses animation to visually express how fire occurs and the process of combustion. In particular, it explains in detail how oxygen is essential for combustion, and the three elements of combustion (fuel, oxygen, and ignition source). It also looks at combustion phenomena seen in everyday life (for example, campfires and gas stoves) to help children feel more familiar with it.

scene 02／Today's theme What comes out when it burns (2006/04/26)

This episode focuses on the substances produced by combustion. In particular, it uses animation to show the process of carbon dioxide and water vapor being produced, and touches on the impact of combustion on the environment. It also explains how the thermal energy resulting from combustion is used (for example, for heating and electricity generation).

scene 03／Today's theme: Inhaling and exhaling (2006/05/17)

This episode explains the mechanism of breathing. It uses animation to visually represent how the lungs take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. It also provides a detailed explanation of the structure and function of the respiratory system, and introduces tips for maintaining healthy breathing.

scene 04／Today's theme: What happens if you eat it? (2006/05/31)

This episode explains how food is digested in the body and absorbed as nutrients. The animations show the role of each part of the digestive system (mouth, stomach, small intestine, large intestine) and the function of digestive enzymes. It also explains how nutrients are used after they are absorbed into the body (as a source of energy and material for cells).

scene 05／Today's theme: Flowing blood (2006/06/14)

This episode explains blood circulation. It uses animation to visually explain how the heart pumps blood throughout the body and how blood transports oxygen and nutrients. It also provides a detailed explanation of the components of blood (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) and their functions.

scene 06／Today's theme: How to grow plants (2006/06/28)

This episode explains the elements necessary for plant growth (light, water, and nutrients). It uses animation to show the mechanism of photosynthesis and how plants absorb water and nutrients. It also touches on the plant growth process and the impact plants have on their environment.

scene 07／Today's theme: Human and animal bodies (2006/07/12)

This episode compares the structure and function of the human and animal bodies. It uses animations to visually illustrate the similarities and differences between the skeleton, muscles, nervous system, etc. It also explains how humans and animals evolved to their current form.

scene 08／Today's Theme: What's Under the Ground? (2006/08/23)

This episode explains the structure and geology of the earth. It uses animation to show the layers from the surface to deep underground (topsoil, rock layers, groundwater layers) and the process of their formation. It also touches on how earthquakes and volcanic activity affect the structure of the earth.

scene 09／Today's theme: Volcanic mountain (2006/09/13)

This episode explains the structure and activity of volcanoes. The animation visually depicts the internal structure of a volcano and the process of magma erupting to the surface. It also provides a detailed explanation of the impact of volcanic activity on the Earth's geology and climate.

scene 10／Today's Theme: Shaking Earth (2006/09/27)

This episode explains the mechanism and impact of earthquakes. It uses animation to show how earthquakes occur and what impact they have on the earth's surface. It also touches on earthquake prediction and countermeasures, providing knowledge to prepare for earthquakes.

Scene 11 / Today's Theme: Acids and Alkalines (2006/10/11)

This episode explains the properties and reactions of acids and alkalis. The difference between acidity and alkalinity and the concept of pH are visually expressed through animation. It also explains how acids and alkalis are used in daily life and industry.

scene 12／Today's theme: Water dissolves things (2006/10/25)

This episode explains the solubility of water. It uses animation to show how water dissolves substances and the concept of solubility. It also touches on the impact of water solubility on the environment and living organisms.

scene 13／Today's Theme: Useful Chemistry (2006/11/08)

Episodes that explain how chemistry is useful in everyday life and industry, with animated visuals showing examples of chemical reactions (e.g. the production of plastics and the development of medicines) and the impact of chemistry on society. They also touch upon the future of chemistry.

scene 14／Today's Theme: Air around the Earth (2006/11/22)

This episode explains the structure and role of the atmosphere. It uses animation to show the layers of the atmosphere (troposphere, stratosphere, ionosphere) and their components (nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide). It also provides a detailed explanation of the impact of the atmosphere on the Earth's climate and living things.

scene 15／Today's Theme: Is the Earth Round? (2006/12/06)

This episode explains the shape and structure of the Earth. It uses animation to visually express evidence that the Earth is a sphere and the internal structure of the Earth (crust, mantle, core). It also touches on the impact that the shape of the Earth has on climate and living things.

scene 16／Today's Theme: Mysterious Electromagnets (2007/01/10)

This episode explains the principles and applications of electromagnets. It uses animations to show how electromagnets are made and what their applications are. It also explains how electromagnets are used in everyday life and industry.

scene 17／Today's Theme: Working Electromagnets (2007/01/24)

This episode explains some specific applications of electromagnets. It uses animation to visually show how electromagnets are used in devices such as motors, relays, and MRIs. It also touches on future applications of electromagnets.

scene 18／Today's theme: Energy for the future (2007/02/07)

This episode explains the energy sources of the future. It uses animation to explain the principles and advantages of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. It also touches on solutions to energy problems and efforts to realize a sustainable society.

scene 19／Today's Theme: Relationships between Forest Creatures (2007/02/21)

This episode explains forest ecosystems. It uses animation to visually express how creatures in the forest interact with each other and form an ecosystem. It also goes into detail about the impact that forest ecosystems have on the global environment.

scene 20／Today's theme: The Earth is One (2007/03/07)

This episode explains environmental issues around the world. It uses animation to show the challenges the Earth faces, such as global warming, deforestation, and water resource issues. It also touches on efforts to protect the Earth's environment and what each individual can do.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Science 6th Grade: Mysterious Information Bureau" is an excellent educational anime that conveys the fun of science to children. Each episode takes up a different scientific theme and uses visual animation to explain it in an easy-to-understand way. In addition, by showing the relevance to everyday life and society, children can feel closer to science.

In particular, the technique of visually expressing scientific concepts through animation is very effective in attracting children's interest. For example, by showing the three elements of combustion and the mechanism of photosynthesis through animation, children can intuitively understand them. Also, since each episode is independent, children who are interested in a particular theme can watch only that episode.

Furthermore, this anime not only focuses on science, but also on environmental and energy issues, providing an opportunity for children to think about the future of the Earth. In particular, the final episode focuses on global environmental issues and introduces initiatives that individuals can take. This allows children to think about things not only from a scientific perspective, but also from a social one.

Some recommended points include:

• Explains scientific concepts in a visually understandable way
• By showing relevance to everyday life and society, science becomes more accessible
• It also touches on environmental and energy issues, providing an opportunity to think about the future of the planet.
• Each episode is standalone, so kids who are interested in a particular topic can just watch that episode.

Overall, "Science 6th Grade: Mysterious Information Bureau" is an excellent educational anime that teaches children the fun of science, and is highly recommended especially for children who are interested in science, as well as parents and teachers who want to emphasize science education.