Botchan

Orphan is proud to present the first English version of the 1980 TV special Botchan. (It should not be confused with the shorter version that was included in 1986's Animated Classics of Japanese Literature.) The show is based on Natsume Souseki's beloved 1906 autobiographical novel, which remains one of most popular novels in Japan.

The hero is a rambunctious youth known only by the nickname his nurse/servant Kiyo gave him, Botchan (Young Master). He's a rowdy Tokyo boy who doesn't get along with his family. After completing a degree in physics, Botchan takes a job in Matsuyama in Shikoku. There, his naivete, his tendency to jump to conclusions, and his gargantuan appetite embroil him in conflicts, mostly comic, with his students and his fellow teachers. Eventually, he sorts out who is in the right and earns the affection of his pupils. However, the conflicts have become irreversible, and he leaves to return to Tokyo, and Kiyo, and start his life anew.

In Matsuyama, Botchan is surrounded by a colorful cast of eccentrics and schemers; he refers to them all by nicknames. For example, the principal is unctuous and slippery, so he's called Tanuki. The head math teacher, Hotta, is bluff and forthright, so he's Yamaarashi (mountain storm or porcupine). The vice-principal dresses in Western clothes to show his advanced thinking and is nicknamed Red Shirt. The art teacher, Yoshikawa, is Red Shirt's cravenly follower and becomes Nodaiko (field radish). The quiet, beaten down English teacher, Koga, is Uranari (unripe gourd). The local beauty is Madonna. And so on.

The visuals, by TMS and Madhouse, reinforce the comedic tone, with a bright palette and distinctive character designs.The original character designs were by Monkey Punch, famous for Lupin III, and were cleaned up by animator Sugino Akio. The voice cast is from an earlier era in anime:

• Saijou Hideki (Botchan) was best known as a singer. His only two anime roles were the title roles in Botchan and Sugata Sanshiro.
• Naya Gorou (Yamaarashi, the head math teacher) played Koichi Zenigata in Lupin III, Juzo Okita in Space Battleship Yamato, and Shocker in Kamen Rider. His deep voice provided the narration in Shinzou Ningen Casshern, Vampire Miyu, Golden Boy, and other shows.
• Nagai Ichiro (Tanuki, the principal) starred in numerous shows, playing grandfather Jigoro in Yawara!, the off-the-wall narrator in Gosenzosama Banbanzai!, Professor Hajime in Queen Millennia, and Happosai in the Ranma 1/2 franchise. He appeared in Manxmouse, Nora, Hidamari no Ki, Yuukan Club, Amon Saga, and Yamato 2520, all Orphan releases.
• Yanami Jouji (Red Shirt, the vice principal) narrated most of the Dragon Ball Z properties. He played Ittan Momen in several of the GeGeGe no Kitaro series and movies and Chuta Ban in all the Kyojin no Hoshi TV series. He appeared as Lump in Ginga Tansa 2100-nen: Border Planet, Big Bird in Grim Douwa: Kin no Tori, the cart vendor in Akuma Tou no Prince: Mitsume ga Tooru, and of course, Ibari in Stop!! Hibari-kun, all Orphan releases.
• Tanonaka Isamu (Nodaiko, the art teacher) was best known for voicing the character Medama Oyaji (Daddy Eyeball) in the first five GeGeGe no Kitarou anime, as well as Sindbook in the original Magical Princess Minky Momo and Igor in the Persona franchise.
• Yamada Yasuo (Uranari, the English teacher) played Lupin III starting in Part III and continuing to his death.
• Asou Miyoki (Kiyo) has played Isone Funo in Sazae-san, more or less forever. She played Cologne in Ranma 1/2 and appeared in numerous World Masterpiece Theater series.

The director, Takeuchi Yoshio, also helmed the Oishinbo TV series and specials, as well as Ipponbouchou Mantarou, Gorillaman, Harlock Saga, Shin Megami Tensai: Devil Children,  Night Head Genesis, and several of the Sensou Douwa specials.

Iri did the translation and rough timing, and ninjacloud did the fine timing. I edited and typeset; there are a lot of signs. Nemesis and BeeBee QCed. The raw is a 720p web rip by YES and looks very nice. There are also good 480p raws out there, if anyone wants to do a standard definition version. YES released an excellent raw of Sugato Sanshiro too; all we need is a translator (hint, hint).

Botchan is a terrific coming-of-age story, blending comedy, drama, and even a little bit of (unrequited) romance. I highly recommend it. You can get the show from the usual torrent site or from IRC bot Orphan|Arutha in channels #nibl or #news on irc.rizon.net.