Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka
The year 1927 marked a seismic shift in cinema history when The Jazz Singer premiered in the United States. This event sent ripples through Japanese film studios eager to adopt sound technology. Shochiku, a major studio at the time, released their first talkie in 1931 and saw immediate commercial success. Shirō Kido served as the president of Shochiku during this period of rapid technological change. He commissioned Kenzō Masaoka to create the first anime with voiceovers immediately after the studio's initial success. Masaoka began his work on the project without delay, driven by the pressure to innovate within the industry.
Kenzō Masaoka dedicated over one full year to developing the animation for this specific short film. He completed the final version of the movie in October 1932 before its public release. The job of a professional voice actor did not exist in Japan at that moment in time. Shochiku therefore recruited regular stage actors to provide the spoken dialogue for the characters. They selected well-known stars like Roppa Furukawa and Ranko Sawa from the Takarazuka Revue to ensure audience interest. These casting choices helped transform the experimental project into a theatrical success upon its opening.
The film opened in theaters across Japan on the 13th of April 1933. It appeared only in black and white format for audiences to view. No known prints of this film survive today, making it a lost work of cinema history. Despite the lack of surviving copies, the original production utilized high-profile talent to draw crowds. Yōko Murashima played the role of the typist who becomes central to the domestic drama. Akio Isono voiced the eldest son named Tarō while Kōji Mitsui portrayed the second son Jiro. Fusako Fujita and Yōko Fujita provided voices for the daughters Hanako and Toshiko respectively.
The story centers on a father of four children living under constant pressure from his wife. His spouse stands tall and weighs significantly due to her incredibly large physique. This physical dominance creates an atmosphere where he feels henpecked within their home life. Seeking escape, he begins an affair with a typist at his company office. The conflict escalates when he accidentally reveals his secret relationship while talking in his sleep. His wife obtains evidence of the affair before confronting both him and the typist at the workplace.
Despite being classified as a lost film, Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka holds significant cultural value. It appeared on the Best of Best list during the 12th Japan Media Arts Festival. This recognition highlights its importance despite the absence of any known prints available today. The work remains a pivotal moment in animation history as the first Japanese anime featuring voiceovers. Its existence proves that early experiments with sound and image were possible decades ago. The film serves as a historical marker for the evolution of Japanese media arts.
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Common questions
When was the film Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka released in theaters?
The film opened in theaters across Japan on the 13th of April 1933. It appeared only in black and white format for audiences to view.
Who directed the first anime with voiceovers called Chikara to Onno no Yo no Naka?
Kenzō Masaoka dedicated over one full year to developing the animation for this specific short film. He completed the final version of the movie before its public release.
What happened to the original prints of the lost film Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka?
No known prints of this film survive today, making it a lost work of cinema history. Despite the lack of surviving copies, the original production utilized high-profile talent to draw crowds.
Which actors provided voices for the characters in Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka?
Roppa Furukawa and Ranko Sawa from the Takarazuka Revue were selected to provide spoken dialogue for the characters. Yoko Murashima played the typist while Akio Isono voiced the eldest son named Taro.
Why is the film Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka considered significant despite being lost?
It appeared on the Best of Best list during the 12th Japan Media Arts Festival. This recognition highlights its importance as the first Japanese anime featuring voiceovers.