The Broken Music Box: A Thorough Analysis of a Beautiful and Moving Story of Destruction

"The Broken Music Box": A heartwarming story set in the near future

"The Broken Music Box" is a theatrical animation released on September 11, 2010, directed by Keiichiro Kawaguchi, animated by Actas, and produced by Electromagnetic Wave. This work is an original story for the anime, and is a moving tale set in the near future. It depicts a deep theme in a short 52-minute episode.

story

The time is the near future. Androids (parents) are developed and placed in upper-class homes. Keiichiro, a boy who has lost his dreams, happens to meet his abandoned parent, Flower. Keiichiro takes Flower home and begins to look after her. Will Keiichiro, a young man who has lost his dreams, be able to find himself again by walking with Flower? What will Flower give to Keiichiro? A summer's tender, sad story begins now.

Commentary

In this era, androids called Parents have been developed and become commonplace household appliances. On a rainy summer day, Keiichiro finds a Parent that has been illegally dumped. A young man who has lost the meaning of life and a clumsy android live together in a strange way. Keiichiro's heart is gradually soothed by the cheerful and brave Flower, but one day as the summer draws to a close, something strange suddenly happens to Flower's body. This is a heart-warming, heartwarming story about the memories of one summer.

cast

• Flower: Masumi Asano
• Keiichiro: Tetsuya Kakihara
• Shunpei: Shintaro Asanuma
• Noriko: Eri Nakao
• Greengrocer owner: Kunihiro Kawamoto
• Boy: Kana Uetake
• Girl: Ishijima Kuniko
• Boy: Kana Omuro
• Housewife: Hiromi Igarashi

Main Staff

• Director: Keiichiro Kawaguchi
• Character design: POP
• Composition, script: Shinichi Inozume
• Character design: Nishio Kimihaku
• Original illustrations: Mamoru Yasuhiko, Munetaka Abe, Tatsuya Annoura, Kazuyuki Iizai, Suguru Iijima, Koji Ito, Takeshi Ito, Toru Imanishi, Chinatsu Ueno, Akio Uchino, Sae Ohba, Shun Odagiri, Mitsushi Kasano, Koji Kataoka, Miho Kawasaki, Yukihiro Kobayashi, Tadashi Shida, Susumu Tosaka, Hidetoshi Fujii, Masayuki Fujita, Tatsuya Yoshihara, Tetsuro Moronuki, Kenichi Shimizu, Kazuto Ii, etc.
• Video inspection: Akiko Ikemure
• Video: Tomo, How, Toon, Put, Thong, Pat, Lek, Bob, Note, Aod, Puk
• Finishes: Joy, Bow, Love
• Color design: Sachiko Harada
• Special effects: Naoyuki Fukuda
• Art setting: Takashi Hiruma
• Art: Lee Bonseon
• Photo by Junichi Kakinuma
• Edited by: Tagumajun
• Music: kiyoma (GCF)
• Sound director: Yuki Matsuoka
• Recording adjustment: Takayuki Yamaguchi
• Sound Production: Nobuhiro Ogawa
• Production manager: Toshimaru Hirayama
• Cooperation: Bono, Goma, Kiyoma, Hiiragi Muku, U', Asuka Fujikawa, Kanata Yukimura
• Produced by: Monyu
• Animation production: Actas
• Produced by: ElectromagneticWave

Theme songs and music

• IN1 "The Broken Music Box"
• Lyricist: Fuzuki Makoto
• Composer: Tsukasa (SOUND ONLINE)
• Vocals: Hiromi Sato
• IM1 "Keiichiro's Thoughts"
• Lyricist: Keiichiro Kawaguchi
• Composer: TSUKASA (SOUND ONLINE)
• Arrangement: kiyoma(GOLDENCITYFACTORY)
• Vocals: Hiromi Sato

Appeal of the work

Although "The Broken Music Box" is set in a near-future world, it depicts universal themes through the relationship between humans and androids. In particular, the interaction between Keiichiro, a young man who has lost his dreams, and Flower, a clumsy android, warms the hearts of the audience. The process in which Flower's cheerfulness and courage gradually heals Keiichiro's heart is moving to watch. Also, the scene in which something strange happens to Flower's body at the end of summer is a mixture of sadness and warmth that will bring you to tears.

The appeal of this work lies above all in its storytelling. Director Keiichiro Kawaguchi's skill in depicting a deep human drama in a short time is impressive. The character designs and art settings are also beautiful, and the near-future world view is realistically expressed. The music is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work, and Hiromi Sato's singing voice adds depth to the story.

Character Analysis

Keiichiro : A young man who has lost his dreams. Through his encounter with Flower, the process of regaining himself is depicted. Tetsuya Kakihara's voice acting expresses Keiichiro's inner thoughts realistically.

Flower : A clumsy android. With her bright and cheerful personality, she heals Keiichiro's heart. Masumi Asano's voice acting brings out Flower's charm.

Shunpei : Keiichiro's friend. He is Keiichiro's emotional support. Asanuma Shintaro's voice acting brings Shunpei's character to life.

Noriko : Keiichiro's mother. She watches over Keiichiro as he grows up. Eri Nakao's voice acting expresses Noriko's kindness.

Background

"The Broken Music Box" was created as a joint production between animation studio Actus and production company Electromagnetic Wave. Director Keiichiro Kawaguchi wanted to portray the problems of modern society through this work by depicting the relationship between humans and androids. In addition, the character designs and art settings show a commitment to realistically expressing the worldview of the near future. Music also plays an important role in enhancing the atmosphere of the work.

Recognition and Awards

"The Broken Music Box" was highly praised when it was released, especially for its storytelling, character design, and music. The film's high quality has also been recognized, winning awards at numerous film festivals.

Reasons for recommendation

Although set in a near-future world, The Broken Music Box depicts universal themes through the relationship between humans and androids. In particular, the interaction between Keiichiro, a young man who has lost his dreams, and Flower, a clumsy android, will warm the hearts of audiences. Also, the scene where something strange happens to Flower's body at the end of summer is a mixture of sadness and warmth that will bring tears to your eyes. This work is appealing with its moving storytelling, beautiful character design, and music. It is a work that I hope many people will see.

Related Titles

Other works that depict the relationship between humans and androids, like "The Broken Music Box," include "Ghost in the Shell" and "Time of Eve." These works are also set in the near future, but they depict universal themes through the relationship between humans and androids. I would definitely recommend watching these works as well.

summary

Although set in a near-future world, The Broken Music Box depicts universal themes through the relationship between humans and androids. In particular, the interaction between Keiichiro, a young man who has lost his dreams, and Flower, a clumsy android, will warm the hearts of audiences. Also, the scene where something strange happens to Flower's body at the end of summer is a mixture of sadness and warmth that will bring tears to your eyes. This work is appealing with its moving storytelling, beautiful character design, and music. It is a work that I hope many people will see.