Fullmetal Alchemist (2003-3004)

The TV anime series based on the manga by female manga artist Hiromu Arakawa (serialized in the magazine monthly 'Shonen GanGan' since 2001). A fantasy adventure set in another world where alchemy has evolved, and a serious political drama with heavy themes such as life-and-death problem. The story of a boy named Edward Elric (Ed) and his younger brother Alphonse (Al), who try to bring their deceased mother back to life using the forbidden science of human alchemy, but they fail in it, and Ed loses his left leg, and Al loses his whole body. Ed is able to settle Al's soul inside a suit of armor at the cost of his right arm, and he wears mechanical limbs called "Auto Mail" in his right arm and left leg. To regain their lost bodies, the Elric Brothers travel in search of "Philosopher's Stone". The anime version is different in setting and plot from the original manga version. 51 episodes. Directed by Seiji Mizushima. The story editor is Sho Aikawa. The animation produced by Bones. "Fullmetal Alchemist The Movie: Conqueror of Shambala" (released in 2005) is the sequel to the TV series.


Copyright(c) Hiromu Arakawa/Square Enix /Mainichi Broadcasting System/Aniplex/Bones/Dentsu 2003
The quotation source: DVD manufactured by Aniplex Inc.

Attack No.1 (1969-1971)

A classic masterpiece of so-called 'Sports Konjou' ('konjou' means something like guts or spirit) anime for girls. Based on the manga (graphic novel) by Chikako Urano (serialized in the magazine Weekly 'Margaret' in 1968-1970). The story of a girl named Kozue Ayuhara, who transferred from Tokyo to the junior high school of the Fujimi Academy in Shizuoka Pref, and joined the volleyball club. She became the captain of the team. Training hard with the coach and her teammates, she fights against other powerful teams in junior and senior high interscholastic tournaments, aiming for the No.1 team in volleyball. This series became a big hit with the popularity of volleyball in Japan in the 1960s, and aired in European countries too. There were some professional volleyball players (Italian Francesca Piccinini and others) who started playing volleyball under the influence of this anime. 104 episodes. Directed by Fumio Kurokawa, Eiji Okabe and others. The animation produced by Tokyo Movie. The Italian title: "Quella magnifica dozzina" (the 1st edition in 1981) and "Mimì e la nazionale di pallavolo" (the 2nd edition in 1983), the French title: "Les attaquantes", the German title: "Mila Superstar".


Copyright(c) Chikako Urano/TMS
The quotation source: DVD manufactured by Toshiba Entertainment Inc.

Kyojin no Hoshi (Star of the Giants) (1968-1971)

An emotional, feature-length drama depicting a father and son who had devoted their lives to Japanese professional baseball. Based on the manga (graphic novel) by Ikki Kajiwara (story) and Noboru Kawasaki (drawing). A classic masterpiece of so-called 'Sports Konjou' genre ('konjou' means something like guts or spirit) and one of the nationally-popular manga/anime works. The story of a boy named Hyuma Hoshi, who became a powerful baseball pitcher with precision control and blazing fastball, through his hard practice and special training under his father Ittetsu Hoshi, who was once a third baseman of the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants, a leading team in Japanese pro baseball league, but he injured his shoulder by the World War Two and retired. Hyuma joined the Giants and fights fiercely against his lifetime rival Mitsuru Hanagata, the batting genius of the Hanshin Tigers, developing his 'pitching magics'. Directed by Tadao Nagahama. Produced by Tokyo Movie. 182 episodes. There are also the sequel TV series, 'Shin Kyojin no Hoshi' (52 episodes, aired in 1977-78) and 'Shin Kyojin no Hoshi II' (23 episodes, aired in 1979). 'Kyojin no Hoshi Special Edition: Fierce Tiger Mitsuru Hanagata' (13 episodes, aired in 2002) is the re-edited version of the first TV series (with some new shots added), featuring Mitsuru Hanagata as the leading character.

Sasuke (1968-1969)

A ninja action story/historical drama set in medieval Japan in the 17th Century ('Ninja' is the intelligence agents or samurai warriors engaged in espionage activities in medieval Japan.) Based on the graphic novel by Sanpei Shirato. In the period of the Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan's feudal government), a boy ninja named Sasuke and his father Daisuke Ozaru, who were anti-Tokugawan ninjas, make a long journey fighting against the pursuers of Tokugawan ninjas. 29 episodes. Produced by TCJ.


Copyright(c) Akame Production/Eiken
The quotation source: DVD released by IMAGICA

BEM/Youkai Ningen Bemu (Bug-Eyed Monster) (1968-1969)

An exotic gothic horror anime. The story of 3 humanoid monsters, Bem, Bela and Belo, who want to be human beings and fight against evil for human being. The music is jazzy. 26 episodes. Produced by Daiichi Doga. There are also the 2 pilot films of Bem Part Two (1982) that was not aired on TV.


Copyright(c) ASATSU-DK
The quotation source: DVD distributed by Pioneer LDC, Inc.

Mach Go Go Go/Speed Racer (1st series) (1967-1968)

A car action anime. The hero, Go Mifune is a teenage boy and car racer who drives a special sports car and enters races all over the world. Aired on the US TV under the title of 'Speed Racer' in 1967. The supervising director is Hiroshi Sasagawa. 52 episodes. Produced by Tatsunoko Production.


Copyright(c) Tatsunoko Production
This image is used with permission of Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. Copying, distribution or usage in other webpages is prohibited.

8-Man/8th Man (1963-1964)

A Sci-Fi action anime based on the manga (graphic novel) by Sci-Fi novelist Kazumasa Hirai and manga artist Jiro Kuwata. The story of a robotic detective called Eighth Man (who is an ex-detective of Tokyo police, and his real name is Hachiro Azuma). One of the early masterpieces of Japanese TV animations. Aired on the US TV under the title of '8th Man' in 1965. A monochrome film. 56 episodes. Produced by TCJ.


Copyright(c) Kazumasa Hirai/Jiro Kuwata/Eiken
The quotation source: DVD released by IMAGICA

Tetsujin 28/Gigantor (1963-1965)

An origin of 'Giant Robot' anime genre. Based on Mitsuteru Yokoyama's manga (graphic novel). The story of a boy detective named Shotaro Kaneda, who operates a giant robot called 'Tetsujin 28' ('Iron Man No. 28') by remote control and fights injustice. 'Tetsujin' was originally a classified weapon that had been developed by the Japanese forces during the World War II. One of the early masterpieces of Japanese TV animations. Aired on the US TV under the title of 'Gigantor' in 1966. A monochrome film. The 1st part consists of 83 episodes. The 2nd part consists of 13 episodes. Produced by TCJ.


Copyright(c) Hikari Production/Eiken
The quotation source: DVD released by IMAGICA