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The huge boom that Yamato caused!
’77-’80 Anime Collection
Space Battleship Yamato attracted 2.5 million viewers and sparked an anime boom in the film industry. Since then, more anime than ever before has been released in theaters this summer. There are also quite a few hits. How many have you seen?
Spurred by the huge success of Farewell to Yamato, which surpassed its predecessor, various genres of Japanese anime films have appeared. Lupin III, with its unique characters and loyal fans, was the New Year’s movie for two consecutive years in 1978 and 1979. The same gag touch was used in the anime adaptation of Tabuchi-kun, which was even more popular than expected. These two films were Ganbare!! Tabuchi-kun!! and Ganbare!! Tabuchi-kun!! Fierce Fighting Pennant Race. In the science fiction genre, Galaxy Express 999 was a huge success in the summer of 1979, but Future Boy Conan is also unforgettable. On the other hand, although there aren’t many Western anime films, some ambitious works have been released, including the masterpiece Lord of the Rings, which makes full use of new technologies such as rotoscope.
The spring of 1980 was a veritable anime rush. Seven films were released in just two months, with Doraemon coming in at the top, followed by Tomorrow’s Joe and The Forest Is Alive. Osamu Tezuka’s Phoenix, which actively introduced new anime technology such as rotoscope and slitscan, didn’t do so well at the box office. And then summer came. Be Forever Yamato once again drew many fans, proving its unchanging strength. So many anime were released during the Yamato Shock, but the gap between hits and non-hits is only getting wider. After this abnormal boom, I hope to see the emergence of a film that fans will really enjoy.
Promo article for fall TV shows in the fantasy, adventure, and anime categories.
Includes the first-ever listing for Yamato III, scheduled to debut on Saturday October 11 at 7pm on Nippon TV.
This month’s new releases: One Point film reviews
Five familiar film critics give their “one point” film reviews of new releases. This month we have a selection of early autumn films. Which of the reviewer’s ratings is closest to yours?
Be Forever Yamato
Motohiko Kano
A roman about sadness and anger, and also about love. It’s an anime, but the drama is very well-developed. But by the third work, it’s a little too much. (78 points)
Kyoko Moriyama
Contrary to my expectations, it was gorgeous and interesting. Perhaps in light of the criticism of the previous film, the quick change in theme from death to life is impressive. (80 points)
Tadao Sato
All of these films about space war games are the same. Isn’t it a bit monotonous? (65 points)
Eiichi Kawakami
Sasha’s closing words at the end “The most beautiful planet in the universe is Earth, because humans trust each other.” I wish it had permeated the whole film more. (65 points)
Eiko Yoshida
It’s refreshing and enjoyable. The special effects of Yamato flying through space are good, saving the somewhat monotonous movements of the characters. (83 points)