Sabu to Ichi Torimono Hikae

impactful anime that exist in black and white

Akio Sugino is hailed as one of the most prominent animation directors and character designers in the industry, known in Japan as one half of anime's "golden combo" alongside Osamu Dezaki. Their frequent collaborations led to many of the early defining works in the medium, and are iconic masterpieces that have significantly held up over time. Sugino's output was integral to legitimizing anime as an art form and turning itself more distinct from Western animation, evolving and reimagining his Mushi Pro, Tezuka-inspired roots.

Sugino's character art replicates Greek sculptures of the old, appropriating its design philosophy to Japanese animation by paying heed to anatomical correctness. Sugino's characters have imposing presences that are accentuated by their long limbs, broad shoulders, and chiseled facial features. Upon seeing a Sugino-designed character you are immediately given the impression of a walking legend, an almost mythical feeling to their appearance on the screen.

This interest stack tracks down his iconic career and features a selection of his most valuable contributions as a character designer. Works are in chronological order.

Additional Sugino sources:
A 6-part interview that focuses on his career: https://karageko.com/2019/07/14/the-other-half-of-the-golden-combo-akio-sugino-interview-mushi-production-era-part-1/
A shorter interview that also talks about Dezaki: https://karageko.com/2022/02/16/akio-suginos-brief-reflections-on-a-long-career/

Collection of historical semi-realistic (minimal fantasy) or realistic (no superpowers or fantasy) works that detail the historical events of Japan or daily life of people in Japanese historical context.

Reference:

794 – 1185 - Heian period
1185 – 1336 - Kamakura period
1336 – 1573 - Muromachi period
1336 – 1392 - Nanbokucho period
1467 – 1590 - Sengoku period
1568 – 1603 - Azuchi-Momoyama period
1603 – 1868 - Edo period
1853 – 1868 - Bakumatsu (final years of the Edo period)
1868 – 1912 - Meiji period
1912 – 1926 - Taisho period
1926 – 1989 - Showa period
1989 – 2019 - Heisei period

Imagine you've just watched "Harakiri", or perhaps "Yojimbo", and now you're thinking to yourself: "I wonder how Samurai Cinema would translate into anime" - Next you're scrolling the anime database, and you've searched for anime with the theme "Samurai", only to be met with entries containing people spitting fireballs, and giant robots shooting lasers.

If this is something you've experienced, then this interest stack is for you. I've scoured every entry (as of October 2024) listed under the theme "Samurai", as well as tried to find others not listed there, to fit the following more narrow definition:

"Swordfighting anime set in historical Japan with a realistic setting."

Some anachronism is okay, but futurism like mechas and RPG launchers are excluded. Trying to keep supernatural elements at a minimal. Allowed to a certain extent, but trying to avoid full on superpowers. This list contains no sequels, one entry per franchise only.

Anime might be excluded for other reasons, such as not adhering enough to the style. Also skipping a lot of <~10 minute shorts. Some (most) of the anime I haven't yet seen, so there's a possibility an anime that should've been excluded has slipped by into the list.

PS. "Lone Wolf and Cub" + "Vagabond" anime when??

Tags: Chambara, Samurai, Jidaigeki, Ninja, Katana, Meiji, Edo, Azuchi–Momoyama, Muromachi, Ashikaga, Nanboku-chou, Sengoku, Kamakura, Heian, Nara,

from here:
https://w.atwiki.jp/sakuga/pages/100.html

This part covers 1943-1983
Part 2 coming soon, whenever I finish it.

I'm not knowledgable about all of these, as the list wasn't originally made by me, so some entries are missing detailed descriptions. Sorry about that.

A collection of anime released from January 1963 to January 2000 that still have something of an appeal. For better or worse.

These are sorted from newest to oldest.

Part Two: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/30490
Part Three: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/30498
Part Four: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/30811

Note: Moderators had taken down the stacks before, since it was not wholly information based. I will post this as a note as to why such series are essential in order to defend them all as a blanket statement.

Most of the series featured have some sort of significance in terms of first best or darkest for their era which can be categorized by decennium or part of a decennium (early, middle, late). These are mixed around in order in order to give those who subscribed to list a challenge. While I could give an individual breakdown, I think some research is better left up to those who have subscribed to the stacks, since this allows for additional cultural insight into what was popular in Japan at the time, which is sometimes disconnected from the United States, as well as the rest of North America and Europe in many ways. For example, the Crayon Shin-Chan that aired in the United States and Canada is different to the one that aired in Europe, is different to the one that aired in Japan. By recommending to seek out Japanese versions of series, it grows understanding. I am not the first one to have thought of this. In the United States, there used to be a channel called ImaginAsian TV which had the same purpose of informing people about Japanese popular culture through anime. The San Francisco and San Diego PBS stations did the same thing and NHK World Japan carries this on through series like Little Charo and previously Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san.

I think it is agreed upon that retro is a niche, but with handicaps on subject matter like availability.

Shotaro ishinomori anime

Collection of series that focus on a professional on their field doing their work.

Rintaro is the pseudonym of Shigeyuki Hayashi, a well-known director of anime. He works frequently with the animation studio Madhouse (which he co-founded), though he is a freelance director not employed directly by any one studio. He began working in the animation industry—at age 17—as an in-between animator on the 1958 film Hakujaden. His works have won and been nominated for multiple awards, including a nomination for Best Film (Metropolis) at the 2001 Festival de Cine de Sitges.

Rintaro is a fan of science fiction, and has been influenced by American westerns, gangster films, film noir, and French films. Additionally, he was influenced by Osamu Tezuka, and worked with him on Kimba the White Lion and Astro Boy. He said that when he was making Metropolis, which was based on Tezuka's manga of the same name, he "wanted to communicate Tezuka's spirit". Rintaro personally introduced the film at the Big Apple Anime Fest in 2001, where it was screened before its theatrical release by TriStar Pictures.

Anime that ran for approximately a single year. Episode counts including 45-55. Japanese anime only.

A basic recommendation of anime classics starting from the important year 1963 when Astro Boy debuted. Only one anime per franchise allowed, and selection is partly based on watchability, so you can get right into what seems interesting.

This is the first part of five, this part covers 1963–1974

Part 2 (1975–1986): https://myanimelist.net/stacks/57265
Part 3 (1987–1998): https://myanimelist.net/stacks/57268
Part 4 (1999–2010): https://myanimelist.net/stacks/57273
Part 5 (2011–2022): https://myanimelist.net/stacks/57279

In the first years of this part much anime was black and white. During all the years experimental and pioneering anime paved the way for franchises, companies, and the industry as a whole. 1969 was an especially strong year for anime (Sazae-san, Dororo, Tiger Mask, Attack no.1, Puss in Boots, Himitsu no Akko-chan, Moomin, The Flying Ghost Ship, Animerama 1).