As a die-hard anime fan who has spent countless hours immersed in the vibrant worlds and captivating stories that these medium has to offer, I must say that the black and white masterpieces of yesteryears hold a special place in my heart. Among them, the pioneering works of Osamu Tezuka and Makoto Shinkai stand out as trailblazers who not only shaped the industry but also influenced generations of creators.
Anime, originating from Japan, is slightly older than Western animation as it was influenced by pioneers like Disney, Fleischer, and McCay. However, compared to classic Mickey Mouse and Popeye cartoons, finding old anime episodes in black and white can be a bit tricky due to their rarity. Despite being popular worldwide, especially outside Japan, the demand for localization is not as high because of its niche status.
Despite having only monochrome visuals, these old anime series broke new ground in animation by offering exceptional storytelling, even though not all studios could afford to create cinema-quality movements for TV at the time. They served as precursors for future genres or were innovative works that skillfully used their limited color options to enhance their compelling narratives.
8 Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat In Space
MyAnimeList Score: 6.02
- Studio: Kinetique
- Release Date: October 19, 2002
- 1 Movie, 92 minutes long
- Available on DVD and YouTube
As a devotee of captivating anime, I’d say if a black-and-white anime doesn’t hark back to the old days, it adopts an antique aesthetic, such as the futuristic yet retro “Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space.” In this intriguing tale set in the distant year of 2010, Cat Earth and a large part of the cosmos are under the rule of the Catty & Co Megacorporation. One rebellious feline, Tamala, dreams of escaping the planet to return to her celestial home Orion, but instead finds herself stranded on Planet Q.
With the help of a resident named ‘MoiMoi’, Michelangelo and Tamala traverse the world they discover, which is embroiled in turmoil. The city known as Hate City is entangled in a dispute between cats and dogs, featuring the Minerva cult and a motorcycle-riding canine named Kentauros. Its aesthetic recalls 1960s science fiction anime, but its narrative takes on a more bizarre turn, exploring themes of capitalism and religion in an offbeat fashion reminiscent of Thomas Pynchon’s works.
7 Tetsujin 28
MyAnimeList Score: 6.33
- Studio: Eiken
- Release Date: October 20, 1963
- 2 Seasons, 97 Episodes
- Available on Roku (2 Seasons), Amazon Prime, Crunchyroll, and Freevee (1 Season)
Originating from the mind of Mitsuteru Yokoyama, the classic anime known as Tetsujin 28 gained popularity in the west under the title Gigantor. The name alteration was necessary to prevent potential legal issues since its original name, which translates to ‘Iron Man #28′, shared a similarity with Marvel Comics’ freshly introduced metallic superhero, Iron Man. Despite sharing names, these two entities bear little resemblance.
Originally designed for battle against the Allies during World War II, a colossal robot remained unused as Japan surrendered before deployment. Later, Dr. Kaneda finished the robot and bestowed control to his son, Shotaro, who employed it in detective tasks. Noteworthy as one of the early mecha anime series, it served as an influence for later science fiction hits like “Akira” and “Pacific Rim.”
6 Sabu & Ichi’s Arrest Warrant
MyAnimeList Score: 6.48
- Studio: Toei Animation
- Release Date: October 3, 1968
- 1 Season, 52 Episodes
- Available on Japanese DVD and the Internet Archive
Shotaro Ishinomori is more famous for transforming tokusatsu shows into their current form through his “Kamen Rider” series. However, before he delved into television production and superheroes from outer space, he created a crime series set in feudal Japan named “Sabu & Ichi’s Arrest Warrant“. In this series, Sabu, an investigator for the shogunate, and Ichi, a blind swordsman, work together to solve crimes and assist those in need.
Even though some anime back then had dark themes, they often incorporated fantastical elements such as robots, magic, and surreal landscapes. However, the series Sabu & Ichi stood out due to its gritty realism, focusing on adult themes like strife, violence, and deception. This made it feel more akin to a police drama than a cartoon. It was significant in demonstrating that animation could transcend being merely children’s entertainment.
5 Sally The Witch
MyAnimeList Score: 6.50
- Studio: Toei Animation
- Release Date: December 5, 1966
- 1 Season, 109 Episodes
- Available on Japanese DVD and the Internet Archive
According to Mitsuteru Yokoyama’s comic series, Sally the Witch, initially featured a mix of black-and-white and color episodes. However, after completing 17 installments, the storyline transitioned entirely into full color. The narrative revolves around Sally, the royal sorceress from the Magic Kingdom, who by accident lands on Earth. Despite her efforts to fit in, she occasionally employs her magic to assist people, such as Yotchan and Sumire, her newfound companions.
Essentially, Sally the Witch was one of the pioneers in both the magical girl genre and the shōjo series. Although thematic predecessors like Himitsu no Akko-chan were already popular, Sally the Witch was the first to be animated, paving the way for future series such as Sailor Moon and Star Vs the Forces of Evil.
4 GeGeGe No Kitaro
MyAnimeList Score: 6.75
- Studio: Toei Animation
- Release Date: January 3, 1968
- 1 Season, 65 Episodes
- Available on Japanese DVD and the Internet Archive
Drawing on his experiences as a street theater artist, Shigeru Mizuki found inspiration from Japanese folklore’s youkai, ghosts, and other supernatural entities, which he then used to create the beloved series “GeGeGe no Kitarō“. For many years, this unique blend of comedy and horror has kept audiences entertained through the tale of Kitarō, the last surviving member of the Ghost Tribe, as he strives to bring harmony between humans and youkai.
Since 1971, additional color series have emerged, but the initial 69 episodes, airing from 1968, were all in black and white. Produced by Toei, this classic show remains engaging with its charming animation. However, it can be challenging to find online, whether subtitled or dubbed versions are preferred. As a sneak peek, the Internet Archive offers a compilation of its first movie, combining episodes 5 and 6.
3 Astro Boy
MyAnimeList Score: 7.07
- Studio: Mushi Production
- Release Date: January 1, 1963
- 4 Seasons, 196 Episodes
- Available on DVD
Leaving out this significant title would be like writing a history of anime without mentioning its origin. Astro Boy, one of the pioneering anime series, found its way to the Western world. A total of 104 out of the original 124 episodes were broadcasted on NBC in 1963, marking the beginning of a complex relationship between fans and localization. This adaptation changed character names and toned down some graphic content.
Beyond this achievement, it sparked interest in science fiction among fans from both Eastern and Western regions, resulting in popular titles such as Casshern, Pluto, and the Mega Man game series. It also provided renowned voice actor Masako Nozawa with one of her initial roles, which later led her to voice beloved characters in Dragon Ball, Doraemon, GeGeGe no Kitarō, and numerous other productions that have been a significant part of many people’s childhood since then.
2 Dororo And Hyakkimaru
MyAnimeList Score: 7.26
- Studio: Mushi Production
- Release Date: April 6, 1969
- 1 Season, 26 Episodes
- Formerly Available on DVD via Discotek Media
People might already be familiar with Tezuka’s samurai slasher Dororo, as it received a 2019 reboot, but the 1969 series Dororo and Hyakkimaru was the original, produced by Tezuka himself via his company, Mushi Production. Curiously, it was also the first entry in World Masterpiece Theater, a series of animated classical stories that Capcom spoofed for Resident Evil 4’s remake.
1. The production had a limited budget, so the show was only available in black and white. Interestingly, this choice enhanced its impact, making the demons Hyakkimaru fought seem even more grotesque due to the stark contrast of the monochrome setting. Moreover, it allowed Osamu Tezuka to provide a satisfying conclusion, as the manga upon which the show was based was prematurely ended due to cancellation.
1 She And Her Cat: Their Standing Points
MyAnimeList Score: 7.26
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
- Release Date: 1999
- 1 Episode
- Available online and on the Voices of a Distant Star DVD
Prior to the creation of films like “Weathering with You”, “Your Name”, and “The Place Promised in Our Early Days”, Makoto Shinkai experimented with Adobe After Effects and his own sketches in 1999, resulting in a 5-minute black-and-white short titled “She and Her Cat: Their Standing Points“. This film centers around a cat named Chobi who finds a new home with a woman simply referred to as ‘She’.
Experiencing “She and Her Cat: Everything Flows” served as my personal introduction to Shinkai’s artistic prowess and emotional storytelling. This brief series not only ignited his career but also expanded into a vibrant, colored version, accompanied by a comic adaptation. For those intrigued by his films, this short online gem offers a tantalizing glimpse into the depth of emotion and skill found in his full-length productions.
Read More
- SOL PREDICTION. SOL cryptocurrency
- USD ZAR PREDICTION
- MNT PREDICTION. MNT cryptocurrency
- USD MYR PREDICTION
- AVAX PREDICTION. AVAX cryptocurrency
- BTC PREDICTION. BTC cryptocurrency
- TRX PREDICTION. TRX cryptocurrency
- RARE PREDICTION. RARE cryptocurrency
- ARKM PREDICTION. ARKM cryptocurrency
- Dogecoin And Shiba Inu Fear & Greed Index Drops To Neutral, Time To Buy?
2024-08-22 16:35