Impressions and reviews of "Zoku Elephant's Back - Baton Pass": A legacy of emotion and a new challenge

The moving and tearful world of "The Elephant's Back: Passing the Baton"

Overview

"Zoku Elephant's Back: Baton Pass" is a touching short animation written and scripted by Yasushi Akimoto. It was released as an OVA on February 27, 2009, and is sold by Pony Canyon. It is known for eliciting deep emotions and tears in a short 6-minute episode.

story

The setting of "Zou no Senaka 2: Baton Pass" is a dozen years after the previous work "Zou no Senaka: Tabitatsu Hi". The father and the Grim Reaper are still watching over the mother and her grown-up children from the sky. The daughter has found a new love interest and is walking happily on the beach. The mother looks at a photo of the father as if reporting the situation.

In the scene of the daughter's wedding, the father watches from the sky with mixed feelings, which is an impressive sight. The tiara that the father entrusts to the mother is a memento of the time when the daughter asked her father for a tiara when they were young and they fought over it. The father secretly bought the tiara and gave it to the mother. That tiara now shines on the daughter's head. In the commemorative photo taken in front of the church, a message "I hope you will be happy" written in magic marker on a photo next to the tiara is very moving.

Commentary

"Zoku Elephant's Back - Baton Pass" is the second installment of the "Elephant's Back" series, which was a hot topic in the winter of 2007 as "the most tear-jerking 3 minutes and 40 seconds in Japan." Under the general production of Yasushi Akimoto, JULEPS' touching vocals and Aya Shiroi's heartwarming animation have once again stirred emotions. Following on from the previous work that moved all of Japan to tears, the golden trio of Yasushi Akimoto (original author), JULEPS (vocals), and Aya Shiroi (illustrator) have reunited to deliver a moving short animation.

Main Staff

• Planning, original story, script: Yasushi Akimoto
• Composer: Katsuhiko Sugiyama
• Animation: Fumi Shiroi
• Song: JULEPS

Related Titles

• "Elephant's Back - The Day of Departure"

Theme songs and music

• TM1
• Passing the baton
• Lyricist: Yasushi Akimoto
• Composer: Katsuhiko Sugiyama
• Arrangement: JULEPS, Yoshikawa Kei
• Sung by: JULEPS

Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Elephant's Back 2: Passing the Baton" manages to elicit deep emotions in its short run. It deeply touches the hearts of viewers as it depicts universal themes such as family ties, love, and parting. In particular, the episode featuring the tiara in the daughter's wedding scene moved many viewers to tears. The tiara, filled with the father's love and sacrifice, and his feelings for his daughter, can be said to be the symbol of the work.

Yasushi Akimoto's script is simple yet powerful in evoking deep emotions. JULEPS' vocals touch the viewer's heart directly, moving them to tears. Aya Shiroi's animation is warm and delicate, expressing rich emotions along with visual beauty. The combination of these elements makes Zoku Elephant's Back - Baton Pass - a highly polished and moving short animated film.

Viewers' reactions

Viewers of "Zoku Elephant's Back: Passing the Baton" expressed their emotions. Many viewers reported that they were moved to tears, especially during scenes depicting family ties and love. Many viewers who were familiar with the previous film, "Zou no Senaka: Tabitatsu Hi," also commented that they were reminded of the emotional impact the series had had throughout its run.

Background and production secrets

"Zoku Elephant's Back: Baton Pass" was produced following the success of the previous work. Yasushi Akimoto was particular about depicting family ties and love in order to further deepen the emotional impact of the previous work. In particular, the episode about the tiara is said to reflect Yasushi Akimoto's own experiences and feelings. In addition, JULEPS' singing voice perfectly matched Yasushi Akimoto's script, deeply touching the hearts of viewers.

Aya Shiroi's animation, like the previous work, pursues warmth and delicacy. In particular, in the daughter's wedding scene, the brilliance of the tiara and the father's facial expression are carefully drawn, expressing visual beauty and rich emotion. From these behind-the-scenes production stories, you can see how much care was put into the production of "Zoku Elephant's Back - Baton Pass".

Influence and Evaluation of the Work

"Zoku Elephant's Back: Passing the Baton" was highly praised as a touching short animation. In particular, the scenes depicting family ties and love touched the hearts of many viewers and brought them to tears. It has also been said that watching it together with its predecessor, "Zou no Senaka: Tabitatsu Hi," deepens the emotional impact of the entire series.

This work was made to a high standard by the golden trio of Yasushi Akimoto's script, JULEPS' vocals, and Aya Kii's animation. It is a moving story that touches the hearts of viewers and will continue to be loved by many people.

Recommendations and how to watch

"Zoku Elephant's Back: Passing the Baton" is a touching short animation that depicts family ties and love. It is especially recommended for those who want to cherish family ties and those looking for a touching story. Also, if you have watched the previous film, "Zou no Senaka: Tabitatsu Hi," be sure to watch it again to reaffirm the excitement of the entire series.

There are two ways to watch it: buy the DVD sold by Pony Canyon or use the online streaming service. Either way, you can enjoy this touching short animation, so be sure to give it a watch.

summary

"Zoku Elephant's Back: Baton Pass" is a highly polished and moving short animation by the golden trio of Yasushi Akimoto's script, JULEPS' vocals, and Aya Shiroi's animation. The scenes depicting family ties and love touched the hearts of many viewers and brought them to tears. Watching it together with the previous film, "Zou no Senaka: Tabitatsu Hi," will deepen the impact of the entire series. Please watch it and experience this moving story.