Unravelling the confusion surrounding Under the Dog: Review and analysis

"Under the Dog Jumble": The appeal of crowdfunded sci-fi action anime

■Overview of the work

"Under the Dog Jumble" is a science fiction action anime that was released in theaters on June 23, 2018. It was produced by a stellar team of staff, including the original author Ishii Jiro, director Ando Masahiro, and character designer Kozaki Yusuke, and was produced by two animation studios, Kinema Citrus and Orange. Each episode is 51 minutes long and complete, and is distributed by Pony Canyon.

■ Story

The story is set in 2025. The Tokyo Olympics scheduled for 2020 have been canceled due to a large-scale terrorist attack, and the bay area where the main venues are located has been placed under the jurisdiction of the United Nations and become a special extraterritorial zone. Hana Fuyutsuki, a 17-year-old high school girl living in this area, is a member of the UN-controlled special forces "Flowers" at first glance. She transfers to a public high school in Enoshima for a mission and gets close to her classmate Shunichi Nanase. However, at the same time, a middle-aged man who is visiting Shunichi and the US military in Japan who are pursuing him appear at the high school, and a tense atmosphere like that of a battlefield begins to spread. Furthermore, it is revealed that another girl is heading to this area, and the story takes a sudden turn.

■Explanation

"Under the Dog Jumble" is a crowdfunded production. It has been highly praised as a sci-fi action anime, and features a unique composition that combines animation, live-action footage, and a new theme song. Director Masahiro Ando is known for his meticulous drawings and dynamic action scenes, and his talents are on full display in this work. In addition, the designs by Yusuke Kozaki, who was in charge of the original character designs, vividly depict the individuality of each character.

■Cast

• Anthea Calenberg: Asami Seto
• Hana Fuyutsuki: Rumi Okubo
• Shunichi Nanase: Takaki Uchiyama
• Sayuri: Haruka Takahashi
• Estella: Naomi Ozora
• Junichi Amagata: Dai Tsuchida

The voice actors are also impressive, with Seto Masami's Anthea Calenberg being cold-hearted and Okubo Rumi's Fuyutsuki Hana being pure-hearted. Uchiyama Kouki's Nanase Shunichi also plays an important role at the center of the story.

■ Main staff

• Original author: Ishii Jiro
• Animation Director: Masahiro Ando
• Character design: Yusuke Kozaki
• Animation director: Masahiro Sato
• Animation Production: Kinema Citrus x Orange
• Live-action video director and theme song producer: Atsushi Isoyama
• Produced by Kinema Citrus Exit Tunes
• Distributor: Pony Canyon

Thanks to the cooperation of the staff, the worldview of the story and the appeal of the characters have been maximized. In particular, the collaboration between Kinema Citrus and Orange has been a major factor in improving the quality of the visuals.

■ Main Characters

• Anthea Calenberg: Flowers Number 03. A member of the Flowers who carries out her missions coldly, she boasts extremely high combat abilities and is feared by military personnel around the world.
• Hana Fuyutsuki: Flowers number 06. An honest, family-oriented 17-year-old high school girl. She is the sixth girl in the Flowers family, and her father, mother, and younger brother are being held hostage.
• Shunichi Nanase: A 16-year-old boy who attends a certain high school. He doesn't stand out in class, but Hana, a transfer student, is very interested in him.
• Sayuri: Flowers number 08. An intelligent high school girl who has been a member of Flowers since middle school. She is 17 years old and Japanese. She is in charge of intelligence activities and often pairs up with Estella.
• Estella: Flowers number 02. A Flowers member from Mexico with dark skin and a lively personality. She is good at sniping with a sniper rifle.
• Junichi Amagata: A teacher in the class Flowers belongs to at the international school. He is actually a colonel in the United Nations Army and Flowers' direct commander. A 32-year-old former NATO soldier, he rescued Anthea from a human trafficking ring during a top-secret mission in Northern Europe.

The background and role of each character are explored in depth, leaving a strong impression on the viewer. In particular, the setting in which Fuyutsuki Hana's family is held hostage has a major impact on her behavior and psychology. In addition, the individuality of each character stands out, such as Anthea's cold-heartedness and Estella's lively nature.

■ Theme songs and music

• Theme song: Girls' Melody
• Lyricist: Shoko Omori
• Composer: Kosuke Okui
• Sung by: Seto Asami

The theme song, "Melody of Girls," features Seto Masami's powerful singing voice and a beautiful melody written and composed by Omori Shoko and Okui Kosuke. This song symbolizes the theme of the story and resonates deeply with viewers.

■ Evaluation and recommendation

"Under the Dog Jumble" is a work that was produced through crowdfunding, but has been highly praised for its quality. As a sci-fi action anime, it is attractive for its detailed drawings and dynamic action scenes, and the unpredictable development of the story keeps viewers hooked. In addition, the characters' personalities and backgrounds are deeply depicted, making it easy to empathize with the characters, which has been praised.

In particular, the setting in which Fuyutsuki Hana's family is held hostage has a major impact on her behavior and psychology, evoking strong sympathy from the viewer. In addition, the individuality of each character, such as Anthea's cold-heartedness and Estella's liveliness, stands out and leaves a strong impression on the viewer.

The theme song, "Melody of Girls," also symbolizes the theme of the story and resonates deeply with viewers. The powerful singing voice of Seto Masami and the beautiful melody written and composed by Omori Shoko and Okui Kosuke are impressive.

This work is recommended not only for those who like sci-fi action anime, but also for those who are attracted to deep stories and the charm of characters. In particular, because it was produced through crowdfunding, it is a work that is close to the viewers and makes you want to support it.

■ Additional Information

"Under the Dog Jumble" was produced through crowdfunding, with the support of many fans behind it. The production process and behind-the-scenes stories are also fascinating, and checking out the information published on the official website and social media will deepen your understanding of the work. Related merchandise and soundtracks are also available for sale, making them highly valuable collections for fans.

Furthermore, although this work is a one-episode story, the world view of the story and the appeal of the characters have led to many voices calling for the production of sequels and spin-offs. The possibility of a sequel has been mentioned in interviews with the director and staff, and expectations are high for future developments.

The film also contains content that will make you think deeply about the themes of "terrorism and peace" and "family ties," and by having the opportunity to exchange thoughts and opinions after watching it, you can gain a deeper understanding and empathy. There is also lively discussion in fan communities and on social media, and interacting with other viewers is also one of the things to look forward to.

Conclusion

Although "Under the Dog Jumble" is a sci-fi action anime produced through crowdfunding, it has attracted many viewers due to its quality, deep storyline, and charming characters. The detailed drawings, dynamic action scenes, and the beautiful melody of the theme song "Melody of Girls" further enhance the appeal of the work. This work is recommended not only for those who like sci-fi action anime, but also for those who are attracted to deep stories and the charm of the characters. Please watch it once and experience the world view and the charm of the characters.