Momotaro's Sea Eagles
Encyclopedia
is an animated Japanese propaganda
film produced in 1942 by Geijutsu Eigasha and released March 25, 1943. Running at 37 minutes, it was close to being feature-length
, but it was not the first animated feature film in Asia
; that honor goes to China's 1941 Princess Iron Fan
, which was 65 minutes long (see: List of animated feature films). A DVD version without English subtitles was released in Japan by Kinokuniya Shoten
in 2004; one with subtitles was released in the United States by Zakka Films in 2009.
Although recorded as being produced with the cooperation of the Japanese Naval Ministry
, there was in fact no cooperation in order to protect military secrets, although the Japanese Imperial Navy endorsed the film.
Featuring the "Peach Boy
" character of Japanese folklore, this film was aimed at children, telling the story of a naval unit consisting of the human Momotarō and several animal species representing the Far Eastern races fighting together for a common goal. In a dramatization of the attack on Pearl Harbor
, this force attacks the demons at the island of Onigashima (representing the Americans and British demonized in Japanese propaganda), and the film also utilizes actual footage of the Pearl Harbor attack.
A sequel, Momotarō Umi no Shinpei (1945) also exists. Running at 74 minutes, it is credited as being Japan's first feature-length animated film.
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
film produced in 1942 by Geijutsu Eigasha and released March 25, 1943. Running at 37 minutes, it was close to being feature-length
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
, but it was not the first animated feature film in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
; that honor goes to China's 1941 Princess Iron Fan
Princess Iron Fan (1941 film)
Princess Iron Fan , is the first Chinese animated feature film. It was directed in Shanghai under difficult conditions in the thick of World War II by Wan Guchan and Wan Laiming and was released on January 1, 1941.-Plot:...
, which was 65 minutes long (see: List of animated feature films). A DVD version without English subtitles was released in Japan by Kinokuniya Shoten
Books Kinokuniya
is a Japanese bookstore chain operated by , founded in 1927, with its first store located in Shinjuku, Tokyo.It means "Store of Kii Province". The company has its headquarters in Meguro, Tokyo.-History:...
in 2004; one with subtitles was released in the United States by Zakka Films in 2009.
Although recorded as being produced with the cooperation of the Japanese Naval Ministry
Ministry of the Navy of Japan
The was a cabinet-level ministry in the Empire of Japan charged with the administrative affairs of the Imperial Japanese Navy . It existed from 1872 to 1945.-History:...
, there was in fact no cooperation in order to protect military secrets, although the Japanese Imperial Navy endorsed the film.
Featuring the "Peach Boy
Momotaro
is a popular hero from Japanese folklore. His name literally means Peach Tarō; as Tarō is a common Japanese boy's name, it is often translated as Peach Boy...
" character of Japanese folklore, this film was aimed at children, telling the story of a naval unit consisting of the human Momotarō and several animal species representing the Far Eastern races fighting together for a common goal. In a dramatization of the attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
, this force attacks the demons at the island of Onigashima (representing the Americans and British demonized in Japanese propaganda), and the film also utilizes actual footage of the Pearl Harbor attack.
A sequel, Momotarō Umi no Shinpei (1945) also exists. Running at 74 minutes, it is credited as being Japan's first feature-length animated film.