Anime of the Year 1971 - Ali Baba to 40-hiki no Touzoku

Ali Baba to 40-hiki no Touzoku is a memorable video with full translation, yet still not a masterpiece for me

1. Chingou Muchabee  珍豪ムチャ兵衛 [1971-II] Tatsunoko Production (Dropped 3/51) Tags: Adventure, Comedy A goofy comedy series with various stories featuring the same set of characters. Series is about a samurai warrior son who is dreaming of returning to castle in Edo, goes to more or less modern school and wets himself in the mornings, and his servant who tries to raise the child in bushi spirit despite poverty. There is a set of characters inside Edo castle from rivaling Iemitsu clan. Comedy is mostly based on this mix of two centuries, like servant fights with a modern umbrella. There are two stories in each episode, so it's historical episodic humor sketches. Humor is actually decent, on par with the best comedies of 1960s. Overall Rating: 6/10

2. Doubutsu Takarajima Animal Treasure Island どうぶつ宝島 [1971-II] Toei Animation (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure Jim is working as an innkeeper, together with his friend, the mouse Gran. One day, a mysterious man visits the inn, leaving a map behind. The map shows an island with a treasure. So the duo sets off in their own little boat, trying to fulfil their dreams and leaving the inn far behind. But it seems more people knows of the map, as they cross paths with Captain Silver and his band of wild pirates. Jim, Gran and their new friend Kathy tries to beat them in the treasure hunt that ensues. Anniversary title usually means big budget, in this case rich animation. And animation is really well done, even the most trivial scenes that are usually not included at all. And this emphasis on insignificant scenes means one thing - there is no strong plot that would require tightly packed plot scenes. And it is really so as the bulk of the time the ship just sails and there is a lot of situational low quality humor piled up, something like Tom&Jerry . There are also three songs. Amusing, but there can be no high scores without depth.    Overall Rating: 5/10

3. Sasurai no Taiyou Nozomi In The Sun さすらいの太陽 [1971-II] Mushi Production (Finished 26/26) Tags: Music Drama Two baby girls were born in the same hospital: one of them is the daughter of an aristocratic family while the other belongs to a deprived household which lives in the slums of the city. However, the nurse-in-charge, Michiko, secretly switches the two babies due to a personal grudge, resulting in a change of fates of the girls from then on. Many years later, the lives of the two girls continue to be intertwined with each other, with the rich Miki ill-treating the poor Nozomi, yet both of them hold similar dreams to become a singer. Watched it in full just to see what first musical looked like and what it could influence later on. First of all , there are few songs here, like maybe 3. Next, all this changed babies Santa Barbara takes up to a quarter of overall time leaving not that much to music career. Next, there is a romance line taking more time. In this regard, it does not feel like a separate genre, more of a shoujo spokon focusing on music. It's different from Attack No.1 mostly by the fact that protagonist does not go to school and is not going to enter university. There's no humor, and I'm not the target audience, so don't expect high scores from me. Overall Rating: 5/10

4. Animentary: Ketsudan Animentary: The Decision アニメンタリー 決断 [1972-II] Tatsunoko Production (Dropped 3/25) Tags: Historical, Military A strict retelling of the Pacific side of WW2. Wow, did not expect reflection on such a heavy topic. But it's true that it's best to tell the story yourself to emphasize the right spots. The Japanese are presented here as great professionals and men of honor if not heroes. It's already not a truthful retelling in this regard, plus it goes further than just finishing with WW2, it has enough space for fiction. For a general observer there's not much value here, it's a niche product.   Overall Rating: 5/10

5. Ali Baba to 40-hiki no Touzoku アリババと４０匹の盗賊 [1971-II] Toei Animation (1/1) Tags: Action, Fantasy A film produced for Toei's 20th anniversary. A boy who is the descendant of the leader of the theives who met a grisly fate in the 1001 Nights bands together with 38 cats and a mouse to get back his rightful treasure from Ali Baba XXXIII, the descendent of Ali Baba who now rules the kingdom with an iron fist. This is a reversal of the good guy/bad guy roles in the original story! (perhaps not surprising for being a film in which Hayao Miyazaki was involved) This film is one of the most rollicking and action-packed films made by Toei, and is in an outrageously cartoonish style breaking with the Toei mold. It has a spectacular lineup of animators including Yasuji Mori, Akira Daikubara, Hayao Miyazaki, Yoichi Kotabe and Reiko Okuyama. The original story about Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves itself is recounted at one point in the film in an unexpected and interesting way using shadow-puppets. Another Toei anniversary project. Again, animation is rich and action-packed. However, this time there's a twist from the start that Ali-baba and gang leader descendants swap places, there are several unknown variables, so story feels both entertaining and rewarding. There are a lot of nice humorous moves and at least two songs. Lack of depth stops it from being a masterpiece, but it shines in many other aspects. Overall Rating: 6/10

6. Yasuji no Pornorama: Yacchimae!! ヤスジのポルノラマ やっちまえ!! [1971-II] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Hentai Japanese society, in the opinion of Pusu-o, "satisfies all the urges of hunger, but not the urges of the loins." Then again, Pusu-o is scrawny, awkward and hardly the handsomest guy in town. More to the point, in matters of a romantic nature, Pusu-o conducts himself with an absolute lack of grace, restraint and general respect for women. Not surprisingly, his sex life is an endless succession of obnoxiously over-the-top come-ons and maniacal attempts to get some action, all of which culminate in total strike-outs. Pusu-o's own father is soon on hand to add insult to injury (the injury being the constant, gushing nosebleeds Pusu-o endures — the nasal blood geyser being Japanese cartoon shorthand for sexual frustration), and the cock blockage continues at Pusu-o's new job as a car salesman — until a trio of older women misinterpret his advances, intended only to make the pretty Yukiko jealous. The antics continue at a later date, when the married Pusu-o is cuckolded by an horny little birdie. When the humiliated surrogate dad witnesses the sexual prowess of the tryst's offspring, matters culminate in a finale worthy of the most bombastic Japanese tragedy. Technically, it's not hentai as there is even no censure due to absence of graphical depiction. Despite that situations are very frivolous crossing most of possible lines. Title can be translated as "Do it!" and concept reflects it well. There is a guy in constant search of amorous adventures and there's a girl who is too forceful and thus scares men. They live in the same house and encounter each other in several situations, but date goes awfully, and it's a breakup. In second part girl becomes worker at protagonist's work, and so harassment and jealousy ensues. In the last part protagonist gets married with a different girl and they go on a honeymoon. As you can guess, due to various reasons there's no success either, and during married life there are a lot of new barriers. Another feature of the OVA is that there are three songs during the course of it, so it's partially a musical.  There are so many rude jokes and situations that I constantly wondered how that was possible in 1971. Anyway, can't say this OVA has anything meaningful to offer, but if definitely does the job of provoking and shocking well. Overall Rating: 5/10

7. Lupin III ルパン三世 [1971-III] Tokyo Movie Shinsha (Dropped 3/23) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast Action, Adventure, Comedy, Mystery Arsène Lupin III is the grandson of world-famous thief Arsène Lupin, and he's living up to his grandfather's memory as a high-profile thief himself. Due to his infamy, Lupin III attracts the attention of the persistent Inspector Zenigata of the ICPO, as well as rival criminals. Lupin III's criminal lifestyle even seeps into his love life. The main woman in Lupin III's world is femme fatale Fujiko Mine, who Lupin III can never tell is working with or against him. Follow Lupin and his gunman partner Daisuke Jigen on their quest to own the world－or at least the valuable bits! I never tried to watch Lupin seriously as for me it's continuation of detective anime, plus adventure. But it seems to be the first Seinen, for grown-ups, so I must be the target audience. I'm sure there will be cool OVAs, but as TV series it's difficult to maintain novelty, intrigue and thrill, very much like Cyborg 009.   Overall Rating: 5/10

8. Gegege no Kitarou (1971) ゲゲゲの鬼太郎 [1971-III] Toei Animation (Dropped 3/45) Tags: Mythology, Super Power Adventure, Supernatural Kitarou, a ghost, spends his afterlife helping humans in need of his skills. He thwarts the plans of evil spirits who live to torment humanity. It's actually not colored remake , but a second season. Still the same niche anime.   Overall Rating: 5/10

9. Genshi Shounen Ryuu Ryu the Primitive Boy 原始少年リュウ [1971-III] Toei Animation (Dropped 3/22) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Romance, Sci-Fi When Ryuu is born his tribe tries to sacrifice him to a Tyrannosaurus named Shirano because of the color of his skin. He is however saved by a monkey who raises him as her own son. Meanwhile Ryuu's mother has left the tribe and is out on a quest to find Ryuu. 16 years later Ryuu meets a girl named Ran who was sold to the tribe Ryuu originaly came from. The tribe is not happy to see Ryuu alive and tries to sacrifice him again, this time by burning him alive. Before they can get the deed done the tribe is massacred along with Ryuu's adoptive mother by Shirano. Ryuu then sets out on a quest together with Ran to find his mother and Ran's brother Don. We've seen lion life in nature, bee life in nature, now time for human life in jungle. Of course there is the same age girl and rivals from the tribe nearby. Nothing special, really. It's not much different from what you can portray.  Overall Rating: 4/10

10. Fushigi na Melmo Marvelous Melmo ふしぎなメルモ [1971-III] Mushi Production, Tezuka Productions (Dropped 3/26) Tags: Shoujo After nine-year-old Melmo loses her mother in a car accident, she is left to care for her two younger brothers, a task far beyond her age or means. However, in the midst of her grieving, Melmo is visited by the ghost of her deceased mother who gives her a bottle of miraculous candy, capable of transforming her into either an adult (blue candy) or an infant (red candy). A combination of the two can reduce her to a fetus and then change her into any animal she imagines. Drawing on a seemingly inexhaustable supply, Melmo uses her candies to solve the various problems thrown her way, aided by her younger brother Toto (who accidentally morphs into a frog in episode 7) and her cantankerous mentor, Dr Nosehairs. Such concept is not close to me. Girl resolves problems that are usually created by her mischievous use of transformation pills. There's nowhere for story to go and it becomes episodic in nature. I think it's the first time of ultra-short skirts and pantsu flashing even though pantsu are big and old.   Overall Rating: 5/10

11. Tensai Bakabon 天才バカボン [1971-IV] Tokyo Movie Shinsha, Yomiuri Telecasting, Imagica (Dropped 0/40) Tags: Gag Humor Comedy, Slice of Life Tensai Bakabon is the tale of a child prodigy and his "philosophical" father. Bakabon‘s father has his own philosophy and he leaves no stone unturned in his quest for answers. Despite his ability to trouble Trouble, for some reason, Papa Bakabon is regarded as "The Great Philosopher," and is sought after for advice, which of course ends up in disastrous results. Tensai Bakabon joins his father in his philosophical quests which drives the people in their town crazy. Nice gag series, but is in dare need of translation due to all the puns.   Overall Rating: 6/10

12. Apache Yakyuugun Apache Baseball Team アパッチ野球軍 [1971-IV] Toei Animation (Dropped 3/26) Tags: School, Team Sports Action, Sports A former baseball star who suffered a career crippling injury takes over as coach of a team of misfits in a poor village high school. But we've seen baseball spokon already in Kyojin no Hoshi . Another similar looking dead serious TV series was hardly needed. Kyojin no Hoshi was at least inspirational classic, this one is more team oriented, but also more plain looking.   Overall Rating: 3/10

13. Shin Obake no Q-tarou 新オバケのＱ太郎 [1971-IV] (Dropped 0/13) Tags: School Comedy, Slice of Life, Supernatural New misadventures of the dimwitted ghost Q-Tarou. Not found. At least there is 1985 remake series available.   Overall Rating: 0/10

14. Kunimatsu-sama no Otoridai 国松さまのお通りだい [1971-IV] Mushi Production (Dropped 3/46) Tags: School, Team Sports Comedy, Sports  A comedy about a group of kids forming a school baseball team, with the leader being very stubborn and argumentative. Pilot episode about kendo was a nice school action comedy, but starting from second all the baseball rivalry began, and I just can't stand baseball, one of the most boring sports ever invented.    Overall Rating: 4/10

15. Shin Skyers 5 新スカイヤーズ5 [1971-IV] Tele-Cartoon Japan (Dropped 3/25) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi  A science fiction action series about the future battles between a planetary police force and an international crime syndicate. The series is sometimes denoted with 26 episodes, in such a case episode 1 is a colored version of the original monochrome episode 1 of Skyers 5. No changes to dialogue and story were made. As such this episode will be accounted for in its original entry. Same stupid James Bond stylization and stupid action. After all the more and more complex TV series seen by the end of 1971 this one is super simple looking. They did not even bother to make a different opening. Overall Rating: 3/10

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