HAKUJADEN

1958 was a very important year in anime history. Animation studio Toei Doga released Japan’s very first color anime theatrical feature HAKUJADEN 白蛇伝 (LEGEND OF THE WHITE SERPENT) (PANDA AND THE MAGIC SERPENT). This would be Toei Doga’s first attempt to enter a world animation market dominated by Disney. At that time, animators to be, learned the animation trade in other countries. It was a lengthy two year process to develop the equipment for shooting an anime film since none existed in Japan. I think Toei Doga did a stellar job their first time around.

Based on a Chinese folklore story, Hakujaden, tells the romantic tale of a young boy Xu-Xian and a beautiful girl Bai-Niang. Years ago when he was a child, Xu-Xian is forced to give up his pet white snake. The snake is caught up in a huge storm, but is magically turned into the young girl Bai-Niang. Years later Xu-Xian meets Bai-Niang and falls in love with her. Concerned that Bai-Ning may be evil, a monk/wizard, Fa-Hai, has Xu-Xian arrested and sent away to keep him safe from what he thinks may harm him. With the help of Xu-Xian’s panda friends, Panda and Mimyi and Bai-Niang’s friend Shao-Chan (who is actually a fish), the two lovers hope to be reunited.

Hakujaden highlights the beauty and atmosphere of China and it’s culture. The backgrounds in this film are softly hand painted showing off colorful flowers, waterfalls, and wildlife. The background music has that traditional Chinese sound similar to most Hong Kong period films like, ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA and THE SWORDSMAN.

GEKKO KAMEN

In 1958 Senkosha Productions released Japan’s first TV super hero series, GEKKO KAMEN 月光仮面 (MOONLIGHT MASK). Created by Kohan Kawauchi (RAINBOWMAN), this series was very similar to the golden age of American serials of the 30's and 40's (KING OF THE ROCKET MEN, FLASH GORDON). Gekko Kamen battled gangsters and at one point a giant simian-like creature, Mammoth Kong. Armed with two guns and a cool motorcycle, Gekko Kamen, was dressed all in white, with a turban, and some stylin’ shades. Gekko Kamen’s identity was kept a mystery, but a smart audience could figure out he was Detective Juro Iwai played by Koichi Ose who fought for justice and the Japanese way.

The series ran for 130 episodes, split into 5 story arcs. Most notable was Chapter 1, “Skull Kamen“, just for the character design alone, very reminiscent of THE EMBALMER (MONSTER OF VENICE). The third chapter, “Mammoth Kong“, marked the debut of Japan’s first TV giant monster. A sixth chapter continued the story of Gekko Kamen in manga form titled “The Fang of the Dragon” in Shonen Club Magazine.

Gekko Kamen is one of Japan’s most iconic characters, whose popularity is still seen today saluted in J-Pop songs and in well done parodies. The best known version was the 1972 anime series, SEIJI WO AISURA MONO GEKKO KAMEN 正義を愛する人、月光仮面 (THE MAN WHO LOVES JUSTICE, MOONLIGHT MASK), known to Latin audiences as the eternal hero, EL CAPITAN CENTELLA.