tsurara

I'm translating a children's book about Anime and Manga for fun and thought I'd post a few pages. Scans included are very small images from the text itself.

This is the opening insert of "The Anime and Manga Big Book of Common Knowledge" by Poplar Press. Nearly all of the series included are genuinely as influential as they claim with one glaring exception. "Okan" isn't widely-known at all and was likely included only because it is under the same publishing company Poplar... sneaky, sneaky. Pay it no mind.

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WORKS THAT ADORN THE HISTORY OF JAPANESE COMIC BOOKS AND ANIMATION

What kind of anime and manga do you guys like? For over 50 years animation and comics have been loved by the masses. Let's learn about a few of the cartoons and comics that have left their mark.


Tetsuwon Atom
"Tezuka Osamu's Groundbreaking Anime Series"
(manga: Tezuka Osamu, 1952. anime: Mushi Productions, on TV - 1963, film version - 1964)
This groundbreaking Japanese science fiction became the first weekly half-hour animation. It's the story of a boy robot named Atom who fights evil while building bridges between the human and robot worlds. It's even quite popular overseas, where it's known as "Astro Boy".


Doraemon
"A character loved by children and parents alike for 2 generations"
(manga: Fujiko F Fujio, 1969. anime: Shinei Animation Productions, on TV - 1979, first film version - 1980)
Doraemon, a cat-shaped robot from the 22nd century helps his friend Nobita by pulling tools from the future from his 4-dimensional pocket. After a successful run as a comic book in a Shougakkan magazine aimed at students, the tv animation has only risen in popularity. The animation has run for over 25 years.


Konjiki no Gash!! (Golden-Haired Gash)
"A manga and anime that has spawned a popular card game"
(manga: Raiku Makoto, 2001. anime: Toei Animation, on TV - 2003, film version - 2004)
A demon boy, Gash teams up with genius junior high student Takamine Kiyomaru and challenges demons to battles in order to become the King of the Underworld. The anime aired under the title "Konjiki no Gashbell!!" It also became a computer and card game.


Meitantei Conan (Detective Conan)
"Groundbreaking in the genre of reasoning, both adults and children take notice"
(manga: Aoyama Koushou, 1994. anime: TMS Productions, on TV - 1996, first film version: 1997)
Trapped in the body of a child, thanks to medicine developed by a mysterious organization, High-school aged detective Kudou Shinichi solves all sorts of difficult mysteries. Filled to the brim with thrills and suspense, the anime and manga have a big following of both children and adults.


Rakudai Ninja Rantarou (Failure Ninja Rantarou)
"A groundbreaking ninja manga popular with small children"
(manga: Amaso Soubei, 1986. anime: Ajiadou Productions, on TV - 1993, film version: 1996)
Ninja Trainee (Nintama) Rantarou attends ninja school with hopes of becoming a first-rate ninja. The anime series, titles "Nintama Rantarou" has run for over 10 years. It's a ninja comic full of gags and fun for the whole family.


Keroro Gunsou (Sergeant Frog)
"Aliens who look like frogs have become popular collector's characters"
(manga: Yoshiza Mine, 1999. anime: Sunrise, on TV - 2004, first film version: 2006)
Failing at his attempt to conquer the planet Earth, Sergeant Frog, the Keron is left behind there. He can cause a major disturbance with very little notice. The character is a bit of an airhead but brimming with personality, this has made him a popular mascot figure. His character goods fly off the shelves.


Okan (Mom)
"A new type of gag manga that adults can also enjoy"
(manga: Nazahara Natsu, 2003)
A mother in heaven worries about her children and comes back as a carp with a human face. The younger brother, Sea is overjoyed. The older brother, Sky isn't surprised at all. With that, the fish (Okan) and the brothers begin their new lives. A slapstick gag comedy.


Makasete PET-kun (Leave it to PET)
"A gag manga with a modern recycling theme"
(manga: Sonishi Kenji, 2004)
Pet-kun is a robot made extra-super by his conversion from a recycled PET bottle. In return, he's always trying to get his recycler out of trouble, to rather chaotic ends. A new gag manga with a recycling theme.

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There are 8 more included on the other side... can you guess what they are?

HINT ~ here are their years: 1966, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1988, 1995, 2003, 2005

Hassun

Neon Genesis Evangelion. Although 1995 isn't in the date list it should be there.

And just to have one that probably IS on the list: Space Battleship Yamato in 1977 if I recall correctly.

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tsurara

my bad fixed!

(though I suppose that gives one away)

LenMiyata

Grumble Grumble Grumble

And I'll take the easy (and obvious) one...

1966. 'Kimba the White Lion' (original title 'Jungle Emperor Leo'/'Jungle Taitei')

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Hassun

I thought that was even older than 1966. Like the fifties or something.

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aceman67

I agree with Hassun on this, Evangelion changed mecha anime. I've yet to see a mecha anime that has come out that has influenced the genre as much as EVA has.

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LenMiyata

Grumble Grumble Grumble
Can't be... Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atom) is acknowledged as the first anime series with a story arc spanning multiple episodes, and that was 1963-1964 (though the original Manga series dates back to the 1950s). And 'Kimba' was the first Anime series filmed in COLOR!!! while the original 'Astro Boy' was Black & White, so 'Kimba' must be post-Astro Boy

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aceman67

Kimba started airing in 1965.

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Hassun

It was probably the manga I had in mind.

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never be alone

I would have to agree with both of you on this matter as well

-Never be alone

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tsurara

Leo (Kimba) isn't on the list. While he was very popular in the US and got quite a bit of attention post-Lion King he's virtually unknown to Japanese who weren't alive in the era he was on television. He's most well-known with young Japanese as the mascot for the Seibu Lions baseball team. With only a 3 volume manga series and no availability on DVD: Leo tends to be stuffed into the corner with Unico as a "cute mascot character" from a comic for small children. Tezuka's other series' have proved to have quite a bit more staying power: Black Jack, Ribon no Kishi (the first shoujo and possibly the first tv anime produced in color ~ though it aired after a number of others), Pheonix, and Adolf are all still widely read and reguarded as classics. Black Jack is by far the most famous (though Tetsuwon Atom was more "groundbreaking").

Starblazers (Yamato) isn't on the list either... though plenty of people will argue that it deserves to be. A similar series, however, is.

More hints:

1966 - Mahou Tsukai Sally (guessed)

1974 - Alps no Shoujo Heidi (guessed)

1977 - Ginga Tetsudou 999 (guessed)

1988 - Tonari no Totoro (guessed)

1979 - Kidou senshi Gundam (guessed)

1995 - EVA (guessed)

2003 - Hagane no Renkinjutsushi (guessed)

2005 - children's