Tatsu no ko Tarô

I was born the same year this film came out. Being half Japanese and having read or been told many other Japanese folk stories, I am very familiar with some of the characters in this particular story (the Onis and Tengu for example).

There are several lessons to be learned from this film; from trusting those around you, to being selfish and the rewards of helping those in need. Although there is some nudity, the audience needs to look past that and focus on the morals being told.

The ending holds a lot of emotion and the theme song throughout has a nice rhythm! I would recommend watching this in Japanese with the subtitles on.

9/10 stars for me on this one. :)

This is an excellent old anime. It is very stylized with Japanese ink paintings for backgrounds and characters reminiscent of those in Miyazaki films. I am not sure if this is a Japanese or Chinese film however.

I have enjoyed this movie since I was a kid and still enjoy it, though it is very hard to find.

I first saw Taro when it was released by Turner on VHS back in the late 1980s. It instantly became a hit with my children, all three of whom came to love it; and we all watched it countless times. We were discouraged to learn that Turner had decided not to re-release the film on VHS, and we subsequently waited for years to see it come out on DVD. The artwork in this film is lovely, with many of the frames looking like a Japanese watercolor. There are elements of Japanese mythology here, as well as action, adventure, and important lessons in life and character building. Taro, an immensely strong and chubby orphan, must set out alone to discover the secret of his mother's disappearance. Along the way he learns that hard work, cooperation, honesty and ambition are essential to his survival. Children will enjoy the film and they may come to identify with the heroic Taro, the Dragon Boy, despite cultural differences and/or language barriers.

Although this film was released on home video in the U.S. in 1984 as "Taro the Dragon Boy" (five years after it appeared in Japanese theaters), not many people seem to remember it, which is a shame, as it is one of the best anime films I've ever seen. I rented the English-dubbed version, helmed by the legendary Peter Fernandez (also worked on the English dubs of "Speed Racer" and "Superbook"), on video from my video store on several occasions as a child, and was awestruck. Taro is a remarkable young man - he possesses immense strength and an enormous appetite, but he also has a heart of gold, and the object of his quest is to find his mother who was changed into a dragon many years ago. (One scene which made a big impression on me is the scene in which Taro and the villagers are feasting after Taro defeated a demon who was threatening the village, and Taro can't enjoy the celebration because he keeps thinking of the folks back in his home village who have nothing to eat. That shows what a pure, good heart he has.) This film holds up very well even to this day. The animation is remarkably fluid given that the film is now over a quarter-century old, and the music is also very well-done. There are even vocal songs, which were dubbed into English for the U.S. release, and they're also pretty good, even in English. The dubbed voices are also quite good, as I recall. The ending will absolutely have you in tears. If you can find a used copy of this film on VHS, by all means pick it up. It's a real classic. (Incidentally, despite the Japanese title, "Tatsu no ko Taro," this animation was NOT produced by Tatsunoko Production, but by Toei Animation, which later became internationally famous for "Dragonball," "Sailor Moon," and "One Piece.")

"Taro the Dragon Boy" is a 1979 Japanese animated film that tells the story of a young boy named Taro who embarks on a quest to save his mother from a curse that has transformed her into a dragon.

Strengths: * Visually Stunning: The film is renowned for its beautiful and unique animation style, drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese art forms. The backgrounds are particularly striking, with rich colors and detailed landscapes.

* Heartwarming Story: "Taro the Dragon Boy" is a heartwarming tale of courage, perseverance, and the power of love. Taro's journey is filled with challenges and obstacles, but he never gives up on his quest to save his mother.

* Cultural Significance: The film offers a glimpse into Japanese folklore and mythology, featuring mythical creatures and traditional storytelling elements.

Weaknesses: * Pacing: Some viewers may find the pacing to be uneven, with certain scenes feeling slower than others.

* Dated Animation: While the animation style is unique, it may not appeal to all modern audiences accustomed to more contemporary animation techniques.

* Limited Availability: The film is not as widely available as some other classic anime titles, making it harder to find and watch.

Overall: "Taro the Dragon Boy" is a visually stunning and heartwarming film that is a valuable addition to the history of Japanese animation. While it may not be as well-known as some of Studio Ghibli's works, it offers a unique and captivating cinematic experience.

Who will enjoy it?

* Fans of classic anime * Viewers who appreciate beautiful animation and storytelling * Those interested in Japanese folklore and mythology Who might not enjoy it?

* Viewers who prefer fast-paced action or contemporary animation styles * Those seeking a more modern or complex story * Anyone who is not interested in Japanese culture or mythology.