Shiriusu no densetsu

This film is pretty hard to find, but I was lucky enough to have my parents tape it for me when I was pretty young. The animation is beautiful and the story a familiar one, much like Romeo and Juliet (but with some major differences). The underwater world portrayed in the movie is a bit strange. It's the only ocean I've seen that has bats, clouds, and waterfalls!

It seems that the 80s had many great fantasy films all in a bunch (neverending story, last unicorn, etc...) I grew up with these films. Sadly this one is on a tape so faded that it cannot be watched. This is unfortunate since if it was decent I would try to preserve it on dvd... This is definetly a film worth preserving or maybe a re-release on dvd which many companies are doing of late.

I have a copy of this movie taped from TV in the 1980's, otherwise it would be a fuzzy memory to me by now. The Sea Prince and the Fire Child ranks right up there with The Last Unicorn for great animation and powerful story. It begins with the tale of fire and water, and their love for each other. But the wind grew jealous of their love and planted lies to each about the other. A terrible battle was fought and now the forces of water and fire have separated and their kind are forbidden to see each other. This is where the story is brought up to the present time and focuses on a Sea Prince, Sirius, and a fire child, Malta. Much in the fashion of Montegues & Capulets the Lord of Water and the Queen of Fire, Oceanus and Hyperia (respectively) try all they can to keep their children apart. Filled with beautiful (if surreal) underwater scenery and definitely a must watch...if you can ever find it.

What I remember of the Sea Prince and the Firechild are the images. The story is simple enough, two star-crossed lovers who can't be together, we've seen that before. What is unique in this film are the visuals. I recall Marta's Queen mother being ten times the size of her daughter. Or the little fairy Pialay, who constantly declares,"Pialay loves Marta!" Another striking image is the flowers that only bloom at a special time of the year. Their blooms reach for the sky and burst open then die. The dancing fairies are a very strange but whimsical detail that makes this cartoon stand out among all the shows from my childhood. I would love to see pictures from this film again.

In my opinion, this is an absolutely romantic masterpiece about breaking rules to be together. If you ask me, the law about children of fire and children of water was absolutely pointless. You'll have to see the movie if you want to know why. On the other hand, Malta (voice of Mami Koyama) was a very beautiful young woman. I believe that she and Sirius (voice of Tôru Furuya) were truly meant for each other. To me, the setting was beautiful, the cast was well chosen, and the writing was strong. Before I wrap this up, I'd like to say that everyone involved in this film did very well. Now, in conclusion, I highly recommend this absolutely romantic masterpiece about breaking rules to be together to all of you who haven't seen it. You're in for a good time, so go to the video store, rent it or buy it, kick back with a friend, and watch it.