That Strange, Strange Little Girl: “Sarutobi Ecchan”(1971)
Anime starring ninjas has been around as long as the medium has been around. I’ve already covered two of Toei’s efforts on the genre for this website (Fujimaru of the…
Category Archives: LOST PLANET ANIME
“Kaibutsu Kun” (1968)
Cartoons centered on monsters has been a staple for generations. Series such as Milton the Monster and the animated versions of The Addams Family has been produced, and The Flintstones…
“Norakuro”
Like the United States, Japan, too, has a long history of comics. Manga didn’t take off in popularity until Osamu Tezuka entered the picture, but just as well, cartooning has…
“Fujimaru of the Wind” (1964)
Ninja is a staple to Japan as the Western is to America. The genre inspired numerous stories in books, movies, comics, and even television. And the first television anime to…
“Ken the Wolf Boy” (1963)
When Astro Boy debuted on New Years Day, 1963, the Japanese animation industry was forever changed. The animation industry in Japan was always small compared to America’s, but once television…
“Space Alien Pipi” (1965)
Combining live-action and animation has been around since the dawn of film itself. Max Fleischer had success with it, doing Koko the Klown with this process. Walt Disney also did…
Mini-Anime: 1971-1980
A continuation of my documentation of “mini-animes” (short-form episodes) that aired in Japan in the 70s. Please see my previous post for series that aired in 1962-1970. Kabatotto (Hippo &…
Yasuji Mori’s “Hustle Punch” (1965)
“Funny animals” are a staple in American animation, ranging from Bugs Bunny to Ren & Stimpy, but it is incredibly rare to see one in Japanese cartooons. Generally if an…
Two Offbeat Mini-Anime from Tatsunoko
Today, I call your attention to an unusual pair of Tatsunoko mini-anime series: Kaba Totto (1971) and Kaiketsu Tamagon (1972). Things couldn’t be better for Tatsunoko Productions in the 1970s….
Worst Anime Ever: “Chargeman Ken” (1974)
I don’t think anyone sets out to do bad cartoons on purpose, but it happens. Reasons vary: executive meddling, people not caring about the property, inexperience, nonexistent budget, etc. Some…
