is a 2004 Japanese
anime
is Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japane ...
about Nitabō, a shamisen player, directed by
Akio Nishizawa and produced by
Summary
A work depicting the life of Nitabō, the founder of the
Tsugaru Shamisen style. The story shows Nitabo encountering the
shamisen
The , also known as the or
(all meaning "three strings"), is a three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument derived from the Chinese instrument . It is played with a plectrum called a bachi.
The Japanese pronunciation is usual ...
and performing innovative performances with historical facts and fiction. It has been selected and recommended by many institutions and organizations such as the
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
The , also known as MEXT or Monka-shō, is one of the eleven Ministries of Japan that composes part of the executive branch of the Government of Japan. Its goal is to improve the development of Japan in relation with the international community ...
, the ''Eilin Youth Film Council'', and the ''Japan PTA National Council''. It also won the Grand Prix in the feature film section of
SICAF2006, the largest animated film festival in Asia.
Cast
* Satohi Hino as Nitabō
* Taketeru Murata as young Nitabō
* Sayaka Hanamura as Yuki
* Yumi Furukawa as young Yuki
* Tomohiko Imai as Kikunosuke
* Taya Jun as young Tomekichi
*
Masako Katsuki
is a Japanese actress, voice actress and narrator formerly affiliated with Theater Echo and now with 81 Produce. Following her debut in ''Shiroi Kiba: White Fang Monotagari'' as the role of Mary Scott, Katsuki has lent her voice to several notabl ...
as Tamana
* Yôsuke Naka as Kengyo
*
Rokurō Naya
was a Japanese actor, voice actor, narrator and the brother of voice actor Gorō Naya (1929–2013). He was a lifelong resident of Tokyo and was affiliated with Mausu Promotion at the time of his death.
Filmography
Television animation
;1970
* ...
as Osyo
* Yasunari Tajima as Tawaraboh
*
Ikuko Tani
is a Japanese actress, voice actress and narrator from Tokyo Prefecture. She is best known for her roles in ''Tanoshii Moomin Ikka'' (as Moominmamma), ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' (as Patrick Star) and the Japanese dubs of the '' Harry Potter'' fil ...
as Itako
* Yae as Okinu
* Yoshie Yamamoto as Omatsu
*
Akio Ōtsuka
is a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator from the Tokyo Metropolitan area. He is attached to Mausu Promotion.
The astringent and calm quality of his deep voice has landed him many roles in films, dubbing, animation, and video games. He is ...
as Santaro
Production
Music
Part of the film's score was recorded in Poland and performed by the
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
The Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra ( pl, Orkiestra Filharmonii Narodowej w Warszawie) is a Polish orchestra based in Warsaw. Founded in 1901, it is one of Poland's oldest musical institutions.
History
The orchestra was conceived on ...
.
Animation
Certain parts of the film were animated at a much higher frame rate than usual for an animated film due to the subtle movements of the shamisen player and the calligraphy in the film.
Hiromitsu Agatsuma
Hiromitsu Agatsuma (上妻 宏光 ''Agatsuma Hiromitsu'', born July 27, 1973) is a Japanese shamisen artist who plays the Tsugaru-jamisen, a larger shamisen with thicker strings than those used for most other styles. He was born in Hitachi, Ibar ...
's performance of the music scenes were filmed and matched exactly for Nitabō's performance.
Release
Box Office
The film was released in Japan on Feb. 21, 2004 and was presented during various international film festivals.
Reception
Nitabo won the Public Award for Best Animated Film at the 11th Lyon Asian Film Festival and Best Picture Youth Jury Award, chosen by the youth jury from 9 to 12 years old. Justin Sevakis at Anime News Network praised the film as a "compelling, educating and unique piece of animation, with decent storytelling and ambition to match that of its subject" but criticized its reliance on well worn tropes
References
External links
English site for Nitaboh*
2004 anime films
2004 films
Japanese animated films
Music in anime and manga
{{Anime-film-stub