From a Tezuka-centered perspective, the legacy of the Animerama films is difficult to assess. They were certainly pioneering, but the studio had to pay a heavy toll for that, and the mangaka grew i…
Jul 29, 2023 • Subscribe
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The History of Mushi Pro – 04 – Mushi’s gekiga (1969-1970)
According to Eiichi Yamamoto, the years 1970-1971 represented Mushi Pro’s “second golden age” [1]. There seems to be some truth to this statement: the number of new productions…
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Last year marked the 50th anniversary of a rather little-known series in Japanese animation history. New Moomin was the second TV anime to be based loosely on Finnish…
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In the previous article of this series, I stated that Tetsuwan Atom’s production was “centered on one document, the storyboard”. Although the production pipeline of anime has changed…
The History of Mushi Pro – 02 – Anime business (1965-1966)
While I’m hesitant to speak of “golden ages”, if Mushi Production had one, it was certainly the years 1965-1966. Still riding on Tetsuwan Atom’s prodigious popularity, the studio…
The History of Mushi Pro – 1.5 – Atom through its storyboards
In the previous article of this series, I stated that Tetsuwan Atom’s production was “centered on one document, the storyboard”. Although the production pipeline of anime has changed…
The History of Mushi Pro – 01 – The Road to TV Anime (1960-1965)
Osamu Tezuka, the God of Manga, is also the father of modern anime – not only did he coin the word, his Tetsuwan Atom was the first animated…
The History of Mushi Pro – 3 – The beginning of the end (1967-1969)
With the huge debt left by its former acting director and the end of Mushi’s partnership with NBC Enterprises, the studio found itself in an increasingly difficult financial…
The History of Mushi Pro – 06 – Towards the World Masterpiece Theater (1971-1973)
Rather than narrate Mushi’s supposedly inevitable fall, I’d like to paint a related, but different picture: that of a studio which, by the end of Tezuka’s presidency and…
A brief history of Kaname Pro
Unlike other great and influential studios with a distinct animation philosophy, like A Pro, Ghibli, Sunrise or Kyoto Animation, the Kanada school never had a single, durable place…
Dallos, Leda: The Fantastic Adventure of Yohko, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Once Upon A Time
Mushi-shi Episode 1: A World of Mushi
Japanese folklore abounds with encounters with the unusual – numerous tales of humans meeting yōkai, specters and other beings can be found throughout literature from Japan, from the…
Episode 116, "Mushi Mushi"
On this special episode of The One Piece Podcast we have all Piece Together, all the time. We call out to fans who submitted questions to us and…
Episode 116, "Mushi Mushi"
On this special episode of The One Piece Podcast we have all Piece Together, all the time. We call out to fans who submitted questions to us and…
The Unreality of Pro Wrestling
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Pick of the Week: Farewell to the Inner Chambers
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Casino, The (1972)
Director: Chang Tseng-chai Starring: Yueh Hua, Lily Ho, Shih Kien, Fan Mui-shang, Chiang Nan Entering a casino and casually cleaning out the House, Luo (Hua) demonstrates his gambling…
The Road To DECA-DENCE: Project History & Production Notes 01-05
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Farewell to Yamato: the lost footage
When Farewell to Yamato returned to movie theaters in 4K at the start of 2024, it reignited interest in the minutiae of how the film was originally edited.…
Mushi-Uta
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The early days of Kaname Pro
Studio Kaname Production is most famous for its OVA works, such as Birth and Genmu Senki Leda, which seem to embody the early years of the so-called “OVA…
Tezuka Osamu: The Secret of Creation
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The Vampire Doll (1970) review
“Sounds, music, performances, and darkish visuals all blend beautifully together to deliver an unsettling but enchanting account of vampirism in Japan.”
5 Reasons To Skip: Devilman (1972)
It’s Devilman-themed, but it sure isn’t Devilman.
Trail Of Blood (1972) review
Ikehiro stylishly celebrates the Matatabi film of the past and offers the chanbara-enthusiast enough sword-fighting action to satisfy him/her.
The Vision of Youth - Farewell 999
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Macross Frontier: The Wings of Farewell
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Pick of the Week: Farewell, Alpha
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New Moomin 52/52 - Farewell, Moominvalley (さらばムーミン谷) (1972) (English subtitles)
It is time for Moominvalley to go into hibernation, and for Snufkin to leave for the winter. Before he departs, Snufkin takes one last look around Moominvalley and…
A Farewell to Dr. STONE
After nearly five years, the Dr. STONE manga series has come to an end with Chapter 232. The series, written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Boichi, has…
Farewell to My Alter GN
Farewell to My Alter proves that Nio Nakatani is not a creator to pigeonhole.
Farewell, Troll of Jom.
Reading manga as opposed to watching anime has always been a vastly different and far more economical experience. You can go at your own pace, the panels flow…
A Sort of Farewell
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The Fearless Avenger (1972) review
A satisfying sequel to `Trail Of Blood` that delivers everything a fan of the genre desires – blood, betrayals and lots of sword-fighting.
The History of the Seifuku
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Private Tutor to the Duke’s Daughter: Illusions of History
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Only Tezuka…
Young Okuchin, a good-for-nothing student with no prospects for the future, is visited by a strange young man who tells him he’s a thief that steals the futures…
Only Tezuka…
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Gamera, Frankenstein, Sabata and Zatoichi: The Genre Films of 1970
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Say Farewell to Shinkansen Food Carts
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Historical drama review: Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972)
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