This is the third collaboration between Tezuka Osamu and Toei Animation Studio, dealing with a typical Japanese story following Chinese and Western stories. Tezuka Osamu was in charge of the original story and story line. However, here again, Tezuka Osamu and Toei Animation Studio had different opinions. Although Tezuka Osamu had already started working on a storyboard under the title of "Chushingura of the Forest," the general framework for the production was subsequently changed, and the completed work reflected only few of his ideas. Although it is entitled "Chushingura," the 46 dogs do not fight against the enemy of their master. The homeless dog Rock instead swears to take to revenge on the tiger named Killer in the zoo, who had killed his mother. The dogs in town, troubled by the atrocities of Killer, join forces to support Rock. Changing the target of revenge to the murderer of the main character's mother made it easier for kids to empathize with the character. Another reason for the change may have been Tezuka Osamu's strong desire to avoid any association of the concept of fighting for one's lord with fighting for one's country, a reflection of his war experiences.
Preview
Characters
Rock
Rock's mother Shiro
the rabbit Rabi
the squirrel Rima
the tiger Killer
the fox Akamimi
Goro
Karo
the raccoon dog Nukita
Ron
Lighthouse girl
STAFF
Executive Producer: Okawa Hiroshi Planning: Yoshida Noboru, Daibo Goro, and Iijima Kei Original Story, Story line: Tezuka Osamu Screenplay: Iijima Kei, Shirakawa Daisaku Rendition: Shirakawa Daisaku Supervision: Yamamoto Sanae, Yabushita Yasushi Art: Toriizuka Seiichi, Numai Hajime Animation Director: Daikuhara Akira Original pictures: Kumakawa Masao, Kusube Daikichiro, Mori Koji, Kita Masatake, Katsui Chikao, Hikone Norio, Okuyama Reiko, Odabe Yoichi Motion: Ikuno Tetsuta, Ai Noboru, Katsuta Mineo, Fukushima Nobuyuki, Kobayashi Kazuko, Saito Satoshi, Kozai Takao, Mori Hideki, Kanayama Michihiro Tracing: Shindo Mitsuko, Kariya Sadako, and Yuzawa Kayoko Coloring: Aoki Eiko, Sekiguchi Masako, and Iwata Michiko Special Finish: Fujii Takeshi Finishing Checker: Kosada Yutaka Color Scheme: Urata Mataji Background: Chiba Hideo, Katakura Kazuko, Yamazaki Makoto, and Ito Eiji Title Design: Tamao Gei Rendition Assistant: Ikeda Hiroshi, Yamamoto Hiromi Shooting: Sugiyama Kenji, Yoshimura Jiro Recording: Mori Takeshi, Ishii Yukio Editing: Inaba Ikuzo Effects: Mori Keiji Recording: Sugawara Setsuyo Production Manager: Ueno Hisao Music: Watanabe Urato Theme Songs: "Wan-Wan March": Lyrics by Saeki Takao, music by Nakamura Hachidai, vocals by Duke Aces "Wan-Wan Lullaby": Lyrics by Saeki Takao, idov by Watanabe Urato, vocals by Matsuo Kazuko
Descriptions
(c) Toei Animation Co., Ltd.
Released at Toei affiliated theaters / 81 minutes / In color, Toei Scope
Toei Animation Studio / December 21, 1963
Winner of the Odella de Blond Award at the Venice International Children's Film Festival
