Magical Princess Minky Momo
Magical Princess Minky Momo | |
魔法のプリンセス ミンキー モモ (Mahō no Purinsesu Minkī Momo) | |
---|---|
Genre | Magical girl |
Created by | Takeshi Shudo |
Anime television series | |
Directed by | Kunihiko Yuyama |
Produced by | Minoru Ōno (Yomiko Advertising) Hiroshi Katō Masaru Umehara |
Written by | Takeshi Shudo |
Music by | Hiroshi Takada |
Studio | Ashi Productions |
Original network | TV Tokyo |
English network | |
Original run | 18 March 1982 – 26 May 1983 |
Episodes | 63 |
Original video animation | |
Long Goodbye: Mahō no Tenshi Creamy Mami VS Mahō no Princess Minky Momo Gekijou no Daikessen | |
Directed by | Mochizuki Tomomichi |
Studio | Studio Pierrot |
Released | 15 June 1985 |
Original video animation | |
Magical Princess Minky Momo La Ronde in my Dream | |
Directed by | Kunihiko Yuyama |
Produced by | |
Studio | Ashi Productions |
Released | 28 July 1985 |
Runtime | 81 minutes |
Original video animation | |
Magical Princess Minky Momo Hitomi no Seiza Minky Momo SONG Special | |
Directed by | Kunihiko Yuyama |
Studio | Ashi Productions |
Released | 21 January 1987 |
Anime television series | |
Magical Princess Minky Momo Hold on to Your Dreams | |
Directed by | Kunihiko Yuyama |
Produced by | Tōru Horikoshi (NTV) Minoru Ōno (Yomiko Advertising) Hiroshi Katō Masaru Umehara |
Written by | Takeshi Shudo Akemi Omode (assistant) |
Music by | Tomoki Hasegawa |
Studio | Ashi Productions |
Original network | Nippon Television |
Original run | 2 October 1991 – 23 December 1992 |
Episodes | 62+3 |
Original video animation | |
Minky Momo in The Bridge Over Dreams | |
Directed by | Kunihiko Yuyama |
Written by | Takeshi Shudo Akemi Omode |
Studio | |
Released | 23 May 1993 |
Runtime | 40 minutes |
Original video animation | |
Minky Momo in The Station of Your Memories | |
Directed by | Kunihiko Yuyama |
Written by | Takeshi Shudo |
Studio | |
Released | 22 June 1994 |
Runtime | 30 minutes |
Manga | |
Miracle Dream Minky Momo | |
Written by | Yamabe Yoshina |
Published by | Shogakukan |
Magazine | Shōgaku Ninensei |
Original run | April 2004 – March 2005 |
Magical Princess Minky Momo (魔法のプリンセス ミンキー モモ, Mahō no Purinsesu Minkī Momo) is a Japanese magical-girl anime franchise by Ashi Productions. The original series ran between 1982 and 1983 on TV Tokyo and inspired three OVAs between 1985 and 1987. A second television series, titled Magical Princess Minky Momo: Hold on to Your Dreams (魔法のプリンセス ミンキーモモ 夢を抱きしめて, Mahō no Purinsesu Minkī Momo Yume wo Dakishimete), ran on NTV between 1991 and 1992, and like the original, it spawned home video follow-ups. A third Momo series began in 2004, this time as a manga known as Miracle Dream Minky Momo (みらくる・ドリーム ミンキーモモ, Mirakuru Dorīmu Minkī Momo) in Shogakukan's Shōgaku Ninensei magazine.
In 2006, series writer Takeshi Shudo expressed interest in making a third Momo anime series.[1] In 2009, Reed announced a new Momo production, but it has not yet surfaced, likely due to Shudo's passing in 2010.[2]
Media[]
First Anime[]
Magical Princess Minky Momo is a Japanese anime television series produced by Ashi Productions that premiered on March 18, 1982 and concluded on May 26, 1983 on TV Tokyo after 63 episodes. The series inspired a crossover short film with Studio Pierrot's Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel called Long Goodbye: Magical Angel Creamy Mami VS Magical Princess Minky Momo Decisive Theatrical Battle (魔法のプリンセスミンキーモモVS魔法の天使クリィミーマミ 劇場の大決戦, Mahō no Purinsesu Minkī Momo VS Mahō no Tenshi Kuryimī Mami Gekijō no Daisakusen) that was released on June 15, 1985, attached to the latter's theatrical film. The following month, a Peter Pan themed OVA named Magical Princess Minky Momo La Ronde in my Dream (魔法のプリンセス ミンキーモモ 夢の中の輪舞, Mahō no Purinsesu Minkī Momo Yume no Naka no Rinbu) was released in Japan. On January 21, 1987 Ashi released the Magical Princess Minky Momo Hitomi no Seiza Minky Momo SONG Special (魔法のプリンセス ミンキーモモ 瞳の星座 ミンキーモモSONGスペシャル, Mahō no Purinsesu Minkī Momo Hitomi no Seiza Minkī Momo SONG Supesharu) animated music video.
Plot[]
Momo is a princess of Fenarinarsa (フェナリナーサ, Fenarināsa), "the land of dreams in the sky". Fenarinarsa is a dwelling place for fairy tale characters. It was in danger of leaving Earth's orbit and disappearing, because people on the planet lost their dreams and hopes. The king and queen of Fenarinarsa sent their daughter Momo to Earth to help the people regain them. Momo became the daughter of a young childless couple, accompanied by three followers with the appearance of a dog (Sindbook), a monkey (Mocha) and a bird (Pipil). On Earth, Momo takes the appearance of a teenage girl. To help the planet regain its hopes and dreams, Momo transforms into an adult version of herself, with an occupation tailored to fit the situation (airline stewardess, police officer, football manager, veterinarian, and many more). Each time Momo succeeds in bringing happiness to the person affected, the Fenarinarsa crown shines. When it shines four times, a jewel appears in the crown. Once twelve jewels appear, Fenarinarsa will return to Earth.
Later in the series, however, the task is left incomplete as she loses her magical powers and soon gets killed by an incoming truck. She is reincarnated as a baby, the real daughter of the couple on Earth. Now she has her own dream to realize. She also has a pink lizard named Kadzilla who helps her and her allies defeat an evil shadow who had been the source of the troubles of the people she had helped.
International releases[]
In 1984, Harmony Gold acquired the rights to the original Minky Momo series and repackaged it into the 52-episode The Magical World of Gigi.[3][4] The English dubbed version was broadcast in Australia on Network Ten, Malaysia on RTM2, Singapore, Kuwait, Zimbabwe, Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, Kenya, Brunei and Israel.[5][6] Gigi branded productions also aired in Brazil, China, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Russia and the Philippines, in local languages.
Despite international distribution, North American audiences initially only received the 1985 OVA, Yume no naka no Rondo. The English dubbed release was produced by Harmony Gold and distributed on VHS by Celebrity Home Entertainment in 1987, titled Gigi and the Fountain of Youth.[7] Rebecca Forstadt (under the pseudonym Reba West) played Gigi (Momo) in this dub. Jehan (Gigi) Agrama sang the title song in the English and Italian versions. Like most English language anime during its time, it was heavily edited, with an altered plot, rewritten dialogue, and a changed soundtrack (all of the original Japanese vocal songs were replaced with new English songs). In 2015, William Winckler Productions released Harmony Gold's English dub of the original series in 13 compilation films through Amazon Instant Video.[8][9]
Second Anime[]
A second television series, produced by Ashi Productions and sharing the same title as the original, premiered on NTV on October 2, 1991. After 38 episodes, the series title changed to Magical Princess Minky Momo: Hold on to Your Dreams (魔法のプリンセス ミンキーモモ 夢を抱きしめて, Mahō no Purinsesu Minkī Momo Yume wo Dakishi Mete) and concluded on December 23, 1992 after a total of 62 episodes. Three additional episodes were later released on home video. This series inspired the 1993 OVA Minky Momo in The Bridge Over Dreams (MINKY MOMO IN 夢にかける橋, MINKY MOMO IN Yume ni Kakeru Hashi), and its followup the year after, Minky Momo in The Station of Your Memories (MINKY MOMO IN 旅だちの駅, MINKY MOMO IN Tabidachi no Eki). The two starred an older Momo who was no longer a magical girl.
Plot[]
The second series follows a similar story structure to the first, but stars a new cast. This Momo came from "Marinarsa" (マリンナーサ, Marināsa), the "land of dreams in the bottom of the sea." She's accompanied by Cookbook (dog), Lupipi (bird), and Charmo (monkey) and enjoyed a happy life on the ground. Similar to the previous series, she is adopted by a young childless couple who became her parents on the ground and she used her magic to bring happiness to many people.
Later on, Momo and her family become refugees. She understands that people have few hopes and dreams now. She eventually meets the Momo character from the first series and ultimately decides to save all the remaining hopes and dreams, using her magic against many social issues. Despite her efforts, all magic and fairy tale characters begin to disappear. The King and Queen of Marināsa decide to escape from the Earth. Momo stays behind to fulfill her parents' dream of having a child, believing that hopes and dreams are never really lost.
Impact and influence[]
While aimed at young girls with the goal of selling toys, the original series attracted a considerable number of older male fans and alongside Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel, is credited as one of the originators of the lolicon otaku subculture.[10][11][12] Though this unintended audience allegedly disgusted Production Reed founder , it helped the show gain a strong 10% viewer share, leading to its run being extended from 50 episodes to 63.[12][11]
Episode 46 of the original series has become infamous due to its depiction of Momo dying after being hit by a truck carrying toys.[11] In an issue of Japanese anime magazine OUT, series writer Takeshi Shudo explained that this was retaliation from the production staff after toy sponsor Popy had pulled funding due to poor merchandise sales, despite strong ratings.[11] While the character's death was only temporary, the sequence was seen as a trailblazer that allowed later magical-girl productions to deal with darker themes.[13] The episode, alongside the last, later inspired a Japanese urban legend linking the series to natural disasters.[14]
In 1993, won JASRAC's International Award for his work on the first TV series.[15]
The original series ranked 70th in TV Asahi's 2005 poll of the most popular anime.[16]
Soundtracks[]
Singles[]
- Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Yume no Naka no Rondo (1985)
- sung by Mariko Shiga, EP, Victor Entertainment, KV-3068
- Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Yumemiru Heart (1991)
- (CD) STAR CHILD, KIDA 31
- Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Yume wo Dakishimete (1992)
- (CD) STAR CHILD, KIDA 42
- Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: LOVE CALL (1993)
- (CD) STAR CHILD, 8SSX 69
Albums[]
- Magical Princess Minky Momo: Yume no Naka no Rondo Ongakuhen (1985)
- (LP) Victor Entertainment, JBX-25066
- (CD) Victor Entertainment, VDR-1073
- Magical Princess Minky Momo: Fenarinarsa Song Festival (1985)
- (CD) Victor Entertainment, VDR-1085
- Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: DaBaDaBa DaBaDa (1992)
- (CD) King Records KICA-79
- Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Yuki ga Yandara (1992)
- (CD) King Records, KICA-109
- Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Utau Fairy Tale! (1992)
- (CD) King Records, KICA-120
- Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: LOVE STAGE (1993)
- (CD) King Records, KICA-131
- Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Yume ni Kakeru Hashi (1993)
- (CD) King Records, KICA-146
- Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Someday My Prince Will Come (1994)
- (CD) Victor Entertainment, VICL-23060 (also released on LP)
- Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Tabidachi no Eki (1994)
- (CD) King Records, KICA-196
- Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Someday My Prince Will Come TV/OVA (1994)
- (CD) Victor Entertainment, VICL-23060
- Dendō Twin Series Magical Princess Minky Momo TV-ban OVA-ban (1999)
- (CD) Victor Entertainment, VICL-60419/20
Compilations[]
These albums have songs from multiple shows. The applicable tracks are in bold.
- Emotion 20th Anniversary Theme Collection - OVA & Movie
- (CD) Victor Entertainment, VICL-60938
- Disc 1
- Dallos no Theme (Horn Spectrum, from Dallos)
- Yume no Naka no Rondo (Mariko Shiga, from La Ronde in My Dream)
- Active Heart (Noriko Sakai, from Gunbuster)
- Try Again... (Noriko Sakai, from Gunbuster)
- The Winner (Miki Matsubara, from Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory)
- Magic (Jacob Wheeler, from Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory)
- Just Fallin' Love: Ikustu mo no Setsunai Yoru no Naka de (, from Dominion)
- Kaze no Tsubasa (Hitomi Mieno, from Haou Taikei Ryuu Knight: Adeu's Legend)
- Point 1 (Yumiko Takahashi, from Haou Taikei Ryuu Knight: Adeu's Legend)
- Toketeiku Yume no Hate ni (, from Iria: Zeiram the Animation)
- 100mph no Yūki (Sakiko Tamagawa and Akiko Hiramatsu, from You're Under Arrest)
- Arittake no Jōnetsu de (Sakiko Tamagawa and Akiko Hiramatsu, from You're Under Arrest)
- After, in the Dark: Torch Song (Mai Yamane and Gabriela Robin, from Macross Plus)
- Inori no Asa (, from Shamanic Princess)
- Omoide no Mori (Miwako Saitō, from Shamanic Princess)
- Future Shock (cherry, from Birdy the Mighty)
- Disc 2
- Ai, Oboete Imasu ka (long version) (Mari Iijima, from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?)
- Tenshi no Enogu (Mari Iijima, from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?)
- Akira no Theme (Geinoh Yamashirogumi, from Akira)
- Voices (Akino Arai, from Macross Plus (movie edition))
- Heart & Soul (Emilia with Basara Nekki, from Macross 7: The Galaxy Is Calling Me!)
- In Yer Memory (Takkyū Ishino, from Memories)
- Calling (Nitro, from You're Under Arrest: The Movie)
- Tōi Kono Machi de (, from Cardcaptor Sakura)
- Ashita e no Melody (Chaka, from Cardcaptor Sakura)
- Yubiwa (single version) (Maaya Sakamoto, from The Vision of Escaflowne)
- Grace - Jinroh Main Theme - Omega (Hajime Mizoguchi, from Jin-Roh)
- Ask DNA (The Seatbelts, from Cowboy Bebop: The Movie)
References[]
- ^ Shudo, Takeshi (2006-06-28). "第55回 『ミンキーモモ』は「ロリコン」を受けて立つ?". Web Anime Style. Retrieved 2006-11-19.
- ^ "Reed Reveals New Minky Momo Magical Girl Project". Anime News Network. 2009-02-16. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
- ^ Bloom, John (March 1986). "Play it again, Sam". D Magazine. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ "The Greek of Toledo; a romantic narrative about El Greco. By Elizabeth Borton DeTrevino". Copyright Encyclopedia. Advameg, Inc. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ "television.au CLASSIC TV GUIDES". Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ Shahibulah, M. (March 20, 1988). "Today's Viewing". New Straits Times. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ "Anime Bargain Bin Reviews - Gigi & the Fountain of Youth aka Magical Princess Minky Momo". Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ "William Winckler Prod. to Release Minky Momo Magical Girl Anime as English-Dubbed Features". Anime News Network. March 9, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ "William Winckler Productions Official Fanpage". William Winckler Productions. May 14, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ Sugawa, Akiko (February 26, 2015). "Children of Sailor Moon: The Evolution of Magical Girls in Japanese Anime". Nippon.com. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Toole, Michael (November 3, 2013). "Reed All About It". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Alt, Matthew (May 24, 2012). "An Interview with Patrick W. Galbraith on Otaku Culture - Part Two". Neojapanisme. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (September 29, 2012). "6 Trailblazing Shojo "Deconstructions" You Should Be Watching". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ Le Blanc, Steven; M., Masami (January 10, 2014). "Enter the dark world of anime and manga urban legends". RocketNews24. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ "1993年~1997年 JASRAC賞-第11回~第15回 JASRAC". JASRAC. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ "TV Asahi Top 100 Anime". Anime News Network. September 23, 2005. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
External links[]
- Fairy Princess Minky Momo aka Magical Princess Gigi (1982 TV series, 63 episodes) (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Yume no Naka no Rondo (La ronde in my dream aka Gigi and the Fountain of Youth) 1985 OVA (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Yume wo Dakishimete (Hold on to Your Dreams) 1991 TV series, 65 episodes (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia (62 main episodes, plus special episodes 46.5, 53.5 and 58.5)
- Minky Momo in Yume ni Kakeru Hashi (The Bridge Over Dreams) 1993 OVA) (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Minky Momo in Tabidachi no Eki (The Station of Your Memories) 1994 OVA) (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Mahô no purinsesu Minkî Momo (1982) at IMDb
- Mahô no purinsesu Minkî Momo (1991) at IMDb
- Fairy Princess Minky Momo 1st at Production Reed's website
- Fairy Princess Minky Momo - La ronde in my dream at Production Reed's website
- Fairy princess Minky Momo 2nd at Production Reed's website
- Fairy princess Minky Momo official website
- 1982 anime television series
- 1985 anime OVAs
- 1987 anime OVAs
- 1991 anime television series
- 1993 anime OVAs
- 1994 anime OVAs
- Manga series
- 2004 manga
- Animated television series about children
- Anime with original screenplays
- Ashi Productions
- Bandai Visual
- Japanese children's animated fantasy television series
- Magical girl anime and manga
- Nippon TV original programming
- Television series about princesses
- Television series about shapeshifting
- TV Tokyo original programming