The appeal and depth of "Shigofumi": an evaluation of the moving story and characters

"Shigofumi": A story told through letters from the dead

"Shigofumi" is a TV anime series that aired in 2008, and is based on a light novel by Yuro Yuzawa. The story revolves around the theme of "Shigofumi," the final letter from the dead to the living, and revolves around the delivery man Fumika and his partner Kanaka. Below, we will introduce detailed information, reviews, and recommendations for "Shigofumi."

Broadcast information

"Shigofumi" aired from January 6 to March 23, 2008. The broadcast schedule for each station is as follows:

• Chiba TV: January 5, 2008 to March 22, 2008 (every Saturday 25:35-26:05)
• tvk: January 5, 2008 to March 22, 2008 (every Saturday 26:30 to 27:00)
• Teletama: January 7, 2008 to March 24, 2008 (Every Monday 26:00-26:30)
• KBS Kyoto: January 8, 2008 to March 25, 2008 (every Tuesday 25:30 to 26:00)
• TOKYO MX: January 8, 2008 to March 25, 2008 (Tuesdays 26:00-26:30)
• Sun Television: January 8, 2008 to March 25, 2008 (every Tuesday 26:10 to 26:40)
• Mie Television: January 10, 2008 to March 27, 2008 (Every Thursday 27:05-27:35)
• BS11: January 11, 2008 to March 28, 2008 (Every Friday 23:00-23:30)
• Gifu Broadcasting: January 13, 2008 to March 30, 2008 (every Sunday 25:35 to 26:05)
• AT-X: March 5, 2008 to May 21, 2008 (Every Wednesday 11:00-11:30)

It was also streamed online, with updates on the Bandai Channel every Monday at 12:00 from January 14th to March 31st, 2008.

Production information

Shigofumi is directed by Tatsuo Sato, with assistant director Katsushi Oumi, and series composition and scriptwriting by Ichiro Okouchi. Character design is by Tetsuya Kawakami, prop design by Mayumi Okamoto, and visual concept by Masahiko Suzuki. Animation is by JCSTAFF, and the series is produced in collaboration with Bandai Visual and Genco.

story

The story of "Shigofumi" revolves around the activities of Fumika and her partner Kanaka, who deliver "Shigofumi", the final letter from the dead to the living. This story, which tries to convey something to the hearts of the living through the messages left by the dead, evokes deep emotions and thoughts.

Fumika is a girl with a somewhat philosophical impression, and takes her mission of delivering Shigofumi seriously. Her companion, Kanaka, is a large walking stick that can speak, and plays an important role in supporting Fumika. The story depicts the lives and inner conflicts of the various people that Fumika and Kanaka meet in the process of delivering Shigofumi.

character

The main characters of Shigofumi are:

• Fumika : A mail carrier. He is gruff, but takes his duties seriously. He dresses like a retro mailman.
• Kanaka : A talking wand that Fumika has. She is female and has a cheerful and talkative personality.
• Nojima Kaname : A 17-year-old boy who attends high school in Kamome City. He is an honor student with a cold impression, and becomes involved with Fumika and the others.
• Chiaki : A Shigofumi delivery man like Fumika. She has a cheerful and mature impression.
• Matoma : Chiaki's staff. He is male and is more intelligent and superior than Kanaka.
• Tatsumi Nojima : Nojima Kaname's father and a detective. Nicknamed Noji-san.
• Shota Machiya : A 16-year-old boy who attends high school in Kamome City. He has a bright and honest personality and is passionate about building mini rockets.
• Ayase Asuna : A 16-year-old high school girl who lives in the same town as Shota. She has a lively personality and is an honor student.
• Ayase Miku : Ayase Asuna's younger sister. 6 years old.
• Toru Kodake : A classmate of Kaname's. A very ordinary high school student.
• Senkawa Daiki : A playmate in the same class as Kaname. A gentle-looking boy with calm emotional ups and downs.
• Yahiro Ran : An 18-year-old female high school student who attends a high school in Kamome City. She is the ace of the girls' tennis club and has a boyish appearance and personality.
• Nanae Yotsugi : An 18-year-old high school girl who attends the same high school as Ran. She is the captain of the girls' tennis club and has a calm demeanor.
• Kasai Natsuka : A 17-year-old high school girl who lives in the same town as Shota. She is an athlete and has a crush on Kaname.
• Haruno Kasai : Natsuka's older sister, 25 years old, works at a publishing company. She has a gentle personality and is a fan of Kirameki Mikawa.
• Kirameki Mikawa : Fumika Mikawa's father and a poet. He is good-looking and likes "beautiful" things.
• Schrodinger : A cat kept by an elderly couple.
• Shunsuke Morishita : A 16-year-old boy who attends high school in Kamome City. He is a normal high school student who seems bored and ignorant about everything.
• Koichi Kikukawa : A 16-year-old boy who attends high school in Kamome City. A timid boy who is bullied in class.
• Shirakawa Touko : A 17-year-old girl who came to Suitenmiyajima to visit a grave. She has a crush on someone.
• Takehiko Hibiya : A 32-year-old man who is a relative of Bunka. He used to work for a game company, but recently quit and moved back to his hometown.

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode of "Shigofumi" are as follows:

• Episode 1: Confession (2008/01/05)
• Episode 2: Rocket (2008/01/12)
• Episode 3: Friends (2008/01/19)
• Episode 4: Tears (2008/01/26)
• Episode 5: Tadaima (2008/02/02)
• Episode 6: Sakebi (2008/02/09)
• Episode 7: Sparkle (2008/02/16)
• Episode 8: Beginning (2008/02/23)
• Episode 9: Saikai (2008/03/01)
• Episode 10: Deai (2008/03/08)
• Episode 11: Mezame (2008/03/15)
• Episode 12: Shigofumi (2008/03/22)

Related Titles

There are unaired episodes and picture dramas related to "Shigofumi." These works are also important elements for gaining a deeper understanding of the world of Shigofumi.

Theme songs and music

The opening theme for Shigofumi is "Kotodama" by ALI PROJECT, and the ending theme is "Chain" by Snow*. Here are the details:

• OP1
  • Song Name: Kotodama
  • Lyricist: Arika Takano
  • Composer: Mikiya Katakura
  • Arrangement: Mikiya Katakura
  • Sung by: ALI PROJECT
• ED1
  • Song Name: Chain
  • Lyricist: Saori Kodama
  • Composer: Page Jun
  • Arrangement: Peijun
  • Sung by: Snow*

Ratings and Recommendations

"Shigofumi" is a deeply moving work that deals with the unique theme of letters from the dead, but also depicts the inner conflicts and growth of living people. In particular, the relationship between Fumika and Kanaka, and the human drama depicted through Shigofumi, leave a strong impression on viewers.

The appeal of this work can be summed up in the following points:

• Thematic depth : The theme of letters from the dead is profound, making viewers think about life, death, and the connection of human hearts. With different Shigofumis depicted in each episode, viewers can experience fragments of various lives.
• Character appeal : The story is enriched by the individuality and growth of each character, including the relationship between Fumika and Kanaka, as well as Nojima Kaname and Chiaki. In particular, the contrast between Fumika's seriousness and Kanaka's cheerfulness makes the viewers feel close to them.
• Visuals and Music : Beautiful animation by JCSTAFF and music by ALI PROJECT and Snow* add excitement to the story. The opening theme "Kotodama" is particularly powerful and symbolizes the theme of the work.

Recommended audiences include:

• Those who enjoy deep themes : If you enjoy deep themes about life, death, and human relationships, Shigofumi is perfect for you. With a different Shigofumi depicted in each episode, viewers can experience different slices of life.
• People who want to follow the character's growth : By following the growth of characters like Fumika and Nojima Kaname, viewers can empathize with their lives and get an opportunity to reexamine their own lives.
• Those who want to enjoy beautiful visuals and music : JCSTAFF's beautiful animation and the music by ALI PROJECT and Snow* will satisfy both your eyes and your ears.

"Shigofumi" is a moving work that depicts the inner conflicts and growth of living people through the unique theme of letters from the dead. This work will leave viewers deeply moved and thinking, and is definitely worth watching at least once.