The year 1943 marked the birth of the first Japanese feature-length animated film, a project that would eventually become a cornerstone of cinema history. This groundbreaking work, titled Momotaro no Umiwashi, was directed by Mitsuyo Seo and produced by the Shochiku Moving Picture Laboratory. Unlike the short animated clips that had previously existed in Japan, this film stretched to 37 minutes, a significant duration for the era. The story followed the traditional folk hero Momotaro, but it was not merely a fairy tale. The Japanese Naval Ministry had ordered Seo to create a propaganda film for World War II, transforming a simple children's story into a tool for military recruitment and nationalistic fervor. The film was released in 1943, setting the stage for its sequel, which would be even more ambitious and controversial. The original film was a testament to the potential of animation, showcasing a level of detail and narrative complexity that had never been seen in Japanese cinema before. It was a bold step forward, even if the intent behind it was far from innocent.
A Child's War
The narrative of the sequel, Momotaro: Sacred Sailors, begins with a heartwarming scene that belies the darkness of its purpose. A bear cub, a monkey, a pheasant, and a puppy say goodbye to their families after completing naval training. The monkey's younger brother, Santa, falls into a river while chasing the monkey's cap, and the dog and monkey coordinate a daring rescue to save him just before he is swept downstream. This moment of brotherly love and camaraderie is a stark contrast to the war that is about to unfold. The monkey observes the dandelions spreading their seeds and is mesmerized by their beauty, a scene that transitions to a time skip. The Japanese forces are seen clearing a forest and constructing an airbase on a Pacific island with the help of the jungle animals who sing as they work. The plane lands at the airstrip, and from inside emerges Momotaro, depicted as a General, together with the bear, monkey, dog, and pheasant, who by this point have become high-ranking officials. The animal residents of the island are shown as simple primitives who are star-struck by the glamorous and advanced Japanese animals. The subsequent scenes show the jungle animals being taught the Japanese kana via singing, and they continue to sing the AIUEO song while washing and drying clothes and preparing meals. The officers then prepare ammunition and artillery for the warplanes, blending the innocence of childhood with the grim reality of war.The Invasion of Celebes
The film's plot takes a dark turn as it shifts from the idyllic scenes of childhood to the brutal reality of invasion. A narration of the story of how the island of Celebes was acquired by the Dutch East India Company follows, revealing that the Japanese are attempting to invade it. The monkey, dog, and bear cub become parachute jumpers while the pheasant becomes a pilot. The paratroopers ambush a convoy of armoured cars and hastily invade a British fort, causing the unprepared British soldiers to panic and flee. Captain Momotaro, the monkey, and the puppy are then shown negotiating with three clearly terrified, stammering British officials. After a brief argument, the British agree to surrender Celebes and the surrounding islands to Japanese rule. This sequence is a clear depiction of the Japanese military's expansionist policies, using the familiar characters of the folk tale to normalize the invasion of foreign lands. The film's message is unmistakable: the Japanese are the bringers of civilization and order, while the British are the chaotic and defeated enemies. The use of animal characters to represent human soldiers adds a layer of surrealism to the propaganda, making the violence seem more acceptable to a young audience.