"Souten Kouro" Review: A new interpretation and appeal of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms

"Souten Kouro": A grand historical drama depicting the life of Cao Cao

■Overview of the work

"Souten Kouro" is a TV anime series based on the manga of the same name by King★Gonta. It was broadcast on the Nippon Television Network from April 7 to September 29, 2009, and was also broadcast on UHF and Nittele Plus. It consists of 26 episodes, each 30 minutes long, and is produced by Madhouse, with Nippon Television, DN Dream Partners, and VAP handling the writing and production.

■ Story

"Souten Kouro" is set in the era of the "Records of the Three Kingdoms" about 2000 years ago. In this era, many warlords fought for supremacy, and history sent three men into the world. They would later be known as Liu Bei of Shu, Sun Quan of Wu, and Cao Cao of Wei. The main character is not Liu Bei, but Cao Cao, the first emperor of Wei (Emperor Wu). Cao Cao was called a "villainous hero in times of chaos" and is a hero who left a huge reputation in Chinese history, but his extraordinary life is full of the brilliance that only those who are loved by heaven possess. This story begins with Cao Cao's childhood and ends with his death.

■Explanation

The original manga was serialized in Kodansha's Morning magazine and is a huge hit, selling over 12 million copies in 36 volumes. Based on the Chinese historical book "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," the story is a bold adaptation that casts Cao Cao, who is often portrayed as the villain, as the protagonist. There are over 300 characters, and the battles between large armies are depicted in 3D, with the violent depictions of the original manga being reproduced as much as possible.

■Cast

The main cast includes:

• Cao Cao: Mamoru Miyano
• Afraid: Kikuko Inoue
• Yuan Shao: Terasomasaki
• Liu Bei: Seki Tomokazu
• Cao Teng: Nachi Nozawa
• Xiahou Yuan: Toru Inada
• Xiahou Dun: Takeshi Kusao
• Cao Hong: Hiroo Egawa
• Cao Ren: Kazunobu Chiba
• Cao Ren (10 years old): Takagi Genki
• Narration: Ryusei Nakao

■ Main staff

The key staff members are:

• Original author: King★Gonta
• Original story: Lee Hak-in
• General Director: Toyoo Ashida
• Director: Tsuneo Tominaga
• Series Composition: Hideo Takayashiki
• Character design: Team Indorigoya (Akira Kano, Yuichiro Hayashi, Cindy H Yamauchi, Daisuke Yoshida, Takahiro Umehara, Akiko Matsushita)
• Chief animation director: Akira Kano, Daisuke Yoshida
• Art Director: Otsuka Gaku
• Color design: Kazuyuki Imagawa
• Director of photography: Koji Takahashi
• 3D Director: Hiroshi Souma
• Edited by: Masato Yoshitake
• Sound Director: Yasunori Honda
• Music: Hideki Murai
• Music producers: Kozue Okada, Kazunari Sengoku
• Producers: Toshio Nakatani, Manabu Tamura
• Animation producers: Masao Morosawa, Shoji Kumabe, Hiroyasu Kobayashi
• Animation Production: Madhouse
• Produced by Nippon Television Network, DN Dream Partners, VAP

■ Main Characters

The main characters are:

• Cao Cao
• Yuan Shao
• Liu Bei
• Cao Teng
• Xiahou Yuan
• Xiahou Dun
• Cao Hong
• Cao Ren

■Subtitle

The subtitles of each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: Boy Cao Cao (2009/04/07)
• Episode 2: Amore (2009/04/14)
• Episode 3: The Demon of the North Gate (2009/04/21)
• Episode 4: Banquet of Fire (2009/04/28)
• Episode 5: The Greatest Vessel (2009/05/05)
• Episode 6: Death of the Blue Sky (2009/05/12)
• Episode 7: Heaven, Earth, and People (2009/05/19)
• Episode 8: The Villain of Inferno (2009/05/26)
• Episode 9: Dong Zhuo goes to Luo (2009/06/02)
• Episode 10: The Rise of Heroes (2009/06/09)
• Episode 11: Sishui Pass (2009/06/16)
• Episode 12: Sun Jian's Ascension (2009/06/23)
• Episode 13: Demon King vs. Demon God (2009/06/30)
• Episode 14: The Beginning of Strength (2009/07/07)
• Episode 15: Black Storm (2009/07/14)
• Episode 16: Tenshi Houdai (2009/07/21)
• Episode 17: Cao Cao and Liu Bei (2009/07/28)
• Episode 18: Dream of Zou (2009/08/04)
• Episode 19: The Monkey and the Dragon (2009/08/11)
• Episode 20: The Immovable Demon (2009/08/18)
• Episode 21: Pure Warrior (2009/08/25)
• Episode 22: The Legend of Lu Bu (2009/09/01)
• Episode 23: Providence and Thunder (2009/09/08)
• Episode 24: Surrender and Escape (2009/09/15)
• Episode 25: Hakuba Tsu (2009/09/22)
• Episode 26: Darkness in the Heart (2009/09/29)

■ Theme songs and music

The opening and ending themes are as follows:

• OP1: 909
  • Lyricist: Hiroki Takahashi
  • Composer: Keita Takahashi
  • Sung by: TRIBAL CHAIR
• ED1: Pinhole
  • Lyricist: Manabu Deto
  • Composer: OGRE YOU ASSHOLE
  • Sung by: OGRE YOU ASSHOLE

■ Evaluation and impressions

"Souten Kouro" stands out from the conventional "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" stories by featuring the historical figure Cao Cao as the main character. Cao Cao is often called a "villain" and portrayed as a villain, but this work depicts his humanity, suffering, and the brilliance of a man beloved by heaven. This allows viewers to see a new side of Cao Cao and gain a deeper understanding.

Madhouse, the animation studio, used 3D technology to realistically depict large-scale battle scenes, which creates a strong visual impact and draws viewers in. The film also portrays the violence of the original as much as possible, enhancing the realism of the historical drama.

The cast is also luxurious, and the acting of Mamoru Miyano, who plays Cao Cao, is particularly impressive. He skillfully expresses Cao Cao's complex emotions, leaving a strong impression on the audience. The other characters are also unique and add excitement to the story.

Music is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. The opening theme "909" is a powerful rock song that symbolizes Cao Cao's magnificent life. Meanwhile, the ending theme "Pinhole" is a quiet and beautiful melody that depicts Cao Cao's inner thoughts. These songs help the viewer to become immersed in the story.

■ Recommendation points

"Souten Kouro" is a must-see for history buffs, especially fans of the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." Seeing the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" from a new perspective of Cao Cao not only deepens existing knowledge, but also brings new discoveries. In addition, the quality of the animation and the acting of the cast have been highly praised, making it a visual and aural pleasure.

Moreover, the film depicts Cao Cao's life from his childhood to his death, allowing viewers to follow his growth, struggles, successes and failures throughout the film, allowing viewers to empathize with the character and gain a better understanding of his life.

"Souten Kouro" is not only a historical drama, but also an excellent human drama. It depicts Cao Cao's struggles and growth as a human being throughout his life, giving viewers many insights. Please watch this work and experience Cao Cao's glorious life.