The appeal and evaluation of the movie "Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion" - The lightning-fast ALFA-X from the future

Review and Recommendation for the Movie Shinkansen Transforming Robot Shinkalion - The Lightning-Fast ALFA-X from the Future

Released on December 27, 2019, "Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion: The Movie - The Lightning-Fast ALFA-X from the Future" is a long-awaited theatrical release for fans of the Shinkalion series, depicting a new development in this series, which has a unique background as a toy source material. Distributed by Toho's Visual Business Division, it brings out the best of the Shinkalion series in a compact 79-minute run. In this review, we will provide an overall evaluation and recommendation of the work, including the story, characters, mechanics, and music.

story

New enemies Nahane, Ohaneff and a mysterious giant monster appear from space to take over the Earth. The story revolves around the idea that the key to all of this lies in the "Shinkalion ALFA-X," which was secretly developed by the Super Evolution Institute. The resumption of the battle for Hayato and the rest of Team Shinkalion, who had been living peaceful lives, is very exciting for fans of the series.

Hayato is worried when his father, Hokuto, goes missing after a sudden enemy attack. Then, a 9-year-old Hokuto appears, traveling through time and space. Wrapped in light particles, the boy Hokuto travels through time and decides to become the driver of the Shinkalion ALFA-X, a train made with the latest technology, in order to protect the Earth and return to his world. This time-slip element adds new depth to the story and is an important point that draws viewers in.

With the two of them in mind, Team Shinkalion, which has gathered from Hokkaido, Yamagata, Omiya, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Moji branches, will face the strongest enemy in the universe. The questions of whether Team Shinkalion can protect the peace and security of Japan, and whether Hayato can be reunited with his father, Hokuto, provide a strong emotional connection to viewers.

character

The main character, Hayato Hayasugi, is a driver of the Shinkalion E5 Hayabusa MkII and a sixth grade elementary school student from Saitama Prefecture. He is a member of the Omiya branch of the Shinkansen Super Evolution Research Institute, and his character setting of simply loving the Shinkansen more than anything else resonates with viewers. His pure desire to become a Shinkansen driver is also linked to the central theme of the story.

Oga Akita is a driver of the Shinkalion E6 Komachi and a sixth grade elementary school student from Akita Prefecture. He is a member of the Omiya branch of the Shinkansen Super Evolution Institute and is a national-level beam rifle athlete. His goal of becoming the world's best beam rifle athlete leaves a strong impression on viewers. He has a cool personality, and is able to understand situations before anyone else, saying he can "read the story," and is rarely able to express his feelings openly, which adds to his charm. He also has an unexpected side to him - a sweet tooth - which makes him appealing to viewers.

Daimonyama Tsuranuki is a driver of the Shinkalion E7 Kagayaki, a sixth grader from Ishikawa Prefecture. He is a member of the Omiya branch of the Shinkansen Super Evolution Research Institute, the eldest son of a construction company, and the self-proclaimed "King of Civil Engineering in Kanazawa." He loves architecture such as tunnels and moats, and his character setting as a terrain enthusiast emphasizes his individuality. He is a passionate man with a strong sense of duty, and his behavior, such as his frequent bold statements such as "It's absolutely ___!", provides laughter to viewers. The setting that he always uses four-character idioms, but often uses them incorrectly, brings out his humorous side.

Tsukiyama Shinobu is a driver of the Shinkalion E3 Tsubasa and a fifth grade elementary school student from Yamagata Prefecture. She is a member of the Yamagata branch of the Shinkansen Super Evolution Research Institute and comes from a long line of ninjas, and Shinobu is currently training in ninjutsu. She excels at versatile fighting and uses techniques such as the Fumikiri Shuriken, making her a perfect match for the Shinkalion E3 Tsubasa, which adds excitement to her battle scenes. Her distinctive Yamagata dialect emphasizes her individuality.

Seiryu was once one of the mysterious enemy agents who made "giant monsters" appear, but after a battle with Team Shinkalion, he chose to coexist with humans and joined Hayato and his friends, becoming a driver for the Black Shinkalion at the Shinkansen Super Evolution Research Institute's Omiya branch. His character setting, in which he loves sweets and is often tempted by cake, highlights his human side.

Mechanic

"Shinkalion ALFA-X" is a Shinkalion developed based on JR East's high-speed driving test vehicle E956 (ALFA-X). It is a cutting-edge Shinkalion that was secretly developed at the Super Evolution Laboratory in anticipation of a battle with an unidentified artificial object from space (Valhallan) that was confirmed three months after the final battle with Black Shinkalion Ogre, and is called a machine that connects the present and the future. The design and setting of this mechanic make a strong impact on the viewer.

music

The ending theme "Gattanggotton GO!" was written and composed by Kanata Okajima and Hayato Yamamoto, arranged by Hayato Yamamoto, and sung by BOYS AND MEN (Virgin Music). This song reflects the theme of the Shinkalion series and leaves a strong impression on viewers.

The insert songs include Godzilla's Theme (Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla), Choo Choo TRAIN, Change! Shinkalion Miku ver., Cruel Angel's Thesis, Change! Shinkalion, Evolution Theory, and many more. These songs play an important role in adding excitement to the story.

Recommendation

"Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion the Movie - The Lightning-Fast ALFA-X from the Future" is a must-see for fans of the Shinkalion series. The story development, the charm of the characters, the design of the mechanics, the quality of the music, and more all make this a work that deserves high praise. In particular, the element of time slip adds new depth to the story and is an important point that draws viewers in. In addition, the individuality of each character is emphasized, leaving a strong impression on viewers. The design and setting of the mechanics also make a strong impact on viewers. The quality of the music is also high, playing an important role in livening up the story's development. This is a work that is highly recommended not only for fans of the Shinkalion series, but also for new viewers.