Tansu Warashi: Appreciation of attractive characters and deep story

"Tansuwarashi" - A unique world view and a moving story

■Overview of the work

"Tansuwarashi" is an animated film that was released on March 5, 2011, directed by Kise Kazuya and produced by Production IG. The story is an original for the anime, and was produced as part of the Agency for Cultural Affairs' 2010 Young Animator Development Project. It is a short film with one episode, 25 minutes long, but the content is very dense and leaves a deep impression on the viewer.

■ Story

The main character, Noel, is an office lady living alone in an apartment. One day, her mother sends her a Japanese chest of drawers. When she returns home tired from work, she witnesses children emerging from inside the chest of drawers. These children, known as "Tansu Warashi," have unique personalities and include a variety of characters, such as a glutton, a chef, and a child in kimono. Noel is confused at first, but as she lives with the Tansu Warashi, she begins to feel emotions she has never experienced before. Through the interactions between Noel and the Tansu Warashi, this story depicts family, friendship, and growth.

■ Characters

The charm of "Tansu Warashi" lies in its unique characters. The main characters are introduced below.

Noel

Voice actor: Mamiko Noto

Noeru is an office lady living alone in an apartment. Although she is busy with work, she has the opportunity to reexamine herself through her encounters with the characters in her closet. Noeru's growth and change are at the heart of the story.

Masa

Voice actor: Fuuka Oura

A foodie Tansu Warashi. He is always hungry and looks forward to Noeru's cooking. His bright and cheerful personality warms Noeru's heart.

Daigoro

Voice actor: Megumi Matsumoto

Chef Tansuwarashi. His cooking skills are top-notch, and he enriches Noeru's dining table. He is characterized by his serious and meticulous personality.

Jirokichi

Voice actor: Yasuhiro Takato

A Tansu Warashi dressed in traditional Japanese clothing. With a gentle personality, she teaches Noeru the Japanese spirit. She is a character with an elegant aura.

Tae

Voice actor: Kana Ueda

A lively Tansu Warashi. Always smiling, she brightens Noeru's mood. Her lively and curious personality is very appealing.

Yuki

Voice actor: Hiromi Konno

A graceful Tansu Warashi. With her quiet and gentle personality, she heals Noeru's heart. She is a kind and tolerant character.

Hanpei

Voice actor: Etsuko Kozakura

Tansuwarashi is a bit of a scatterbrain. He always fails, but what makes an impression is how he lives life with a positive attitude. He's a humorous character.

■ Staff

Many talented staff members were involved in the production of "Tansu Warashi." Below are the main staff members:

Director and original story: Kazuya Kise

Kazuya Kise is the director and creator of the original story. His unique perspective and sensibility shape the worldview of this work. Kazuya Kise's works are characterized by their visual beauty and deep themes.

Character design: Ryo Hirata

Ryo Hirata is in charge of the original character designs for the Tansu Warashi characters. His designs are unique yet relatable. Ryo Hirata's characters are characterized by their visual impact and rich emotional expression.

Animation Director: Toshihisa Kaiya

Toshihisa Kaiya is the animation director for this work. His drawings are visually appealing with beautiful lines and movements that are meticulous down to the last detail. Kaiya's drawings have the power to realistically express the emotions of the characters.

Assistant animation director: Takahiro Katagiri

Takahiro Katagiri supports Toshihisa Kaiya's drawing as an assistant animation director. His drawings inherit the style of Toshihisa Kaiya, but add his own unique perspective. Takahiro Katagiri's drawings express the movements and expressions of the characters in a rich way.

Original illustrations: Izumi Seguchi, Takaaki Hashimoto, Naho Kiyoike, Masayuki Honda, Miho Daidoji, Kumiko Numata, Kana Fujishiro, Naoko Iiyama, Rie Mizorogi, Maho Yoshikawa, Yoshiaki Kyogoku, Hiromi Kuroiwa

The key animators are using their individual personalities and skills to support the visuals of this work. Their drawings realistically depict the movements and expressions of the characters, visually conveying the emotions of the story. The skills and passion of the key animators are what support the beauty of this work.

Art director: Hiromasa Ogura

Hiromasa Ogura is the art director for this work. His art enhances the visual appeal with beautiful backgrounds that evoke a Japanese atmosphere and colors that complement the worldview of the story. Hiromasa Ogura's art has the power to combine visual beauty with the emotions of the story.

Music: Yasuo Sugibayashi

Yasuo Sugibayashi is in charge of the film's music. His music captures the hearts of viewers with beautiful melodies that bring out the emotions of the story and rhythms that emphasize the visual beauty. Yasuo Sugibayashi's music has the power to make viewers feel the emotions of the story deeply.

■ Related works

A related work to "Tansuwarashi" is "Wasurenagumo." "Wasurenagumo" was also directed by Kise Kazuya and was produced as part of the Agency for Cultural Affairs' 2010 Young Animator Development Project. "Wasurenagumo" tells the story of forgotten memories and reunions, and like "Tansuwarashi," is characterized by deep themes and visual beauty. Comparing the two works allows us to gain a deeper understanding of Kise Kazuya's unique worldview and sensibility.

■ Evaluation and impressions

Although it is a short work, "Dresser" has been highly praised by many viewers for its dense content and visual beauty. In particular, the themes of family, friendship, and growth depicted through the interactions between Noeru and the Dresser are deeply moving to the hearts of viewers. Furthermore, the work brings together the talents of each staff member, including Kise Kazuya's unique worldview and sensibility, Hirata Ryo's distinctive characters, Kaiya Toshihisa's beautiful drawings, Ogura Hiromasa's art that exudes a Japanese atmosphere, and Sugibayashi Yasuo's emotionally compelling music.

"Dresser" combines visual beauty with deep themes, making it a short work that deeply moves viewers. In particular, the themes of family and friendship depicted through Noeru's growth and change, and her interactions with the dresser girls, deeply touch viewers' hearts. The work also brings together the talents of each staff member, including Kise Kazuya's unique worldview and sensibility, Hirata Ryo's distinctive characters, Kaiya Toshihisa's beautiful drawings, Ogura Hiromasa's art that exudes a Japanese atmosphere, and Sugibayashi Yasuo's emotionally compelling music.

■Recommendation

"The Tansu Warashi" is recommended for those who enjoy works that depict the themes of family, friendship, and growth, those who seek visual beauty and deep themes, and those who are interested in Kise Kazuya's unique worldview and sensibility. Although it is a short work, it has been highly praised by many viewers for its dense content and visual beauty. Please watch it and experience the moving story of Noeru and the Tansu Warashi.

■Detailed information

Public Media: Theater

Original media: Anime original

Release date: March 5, 2011 - January 1, 2000

Duration: 25 minutes

Number of episodes: 1

Director: Kazuya Kise

Production: Production IG

Copyright: © Kazuya Kise / Production IG / Agency for Cultural Affairs 2010 Young Animator Development Project