With all that is going on in the world right now, there wouldn’t be a series or movie more relevant than what is about to come as a Netflix original soon – ‘Japan Sinks.’ Based upon the well-known sci-fi dystopian novel by Sakyo Komatsu, which was released back in 1973.
The novel tells the story of a family of four trying to find hope in these difficult times. An earthquake struck Japan, and devastation was everywhere. Amidst all this, the Matoh family sticks together and try to stay alive.
This news wreaked havoc in the community and is currently the most anticipated series to come out in 2020. Let’s take a look at what the anime has to offer with less than a week to its release.
1. Release Date and Announcement
The anime adaptation of ‘Japan Sinks’ will exclusively be available on Netflix from July 9, 2020.
The adaptation of the novel was announced back in October 2019 only. Since then, the hype amongst people has been building rapidly.
2. Theory Section
Earthquakes and tsunamis are a common occurrence in Japan as its land is situated above the boundaries of tectonic plates, which frequently collide, causing chaos and destruction.
This very geographical fact is the basis of the anime series as well as for the novel. As we watch the disaster unfold, we follow a family of four trying to overcome these hard times by sticking together and trying to make sense of all this mayhem.
I. Financial Standings
The original novel sold 4.7 million copies, and back in the 70s, this was deemed as a literary achievement. Praised by thousands of people, his book got all the love it deserved.
The novel was also awarded the 27th Mystery Writers of Japan Award and the Seiun Award.
II. Animation Quality
The ten episodes ‘Japan Sinks’ will be produced by Science SARU, an animation studio led by the talented Masaaki Yuasa and his team. If it’s Yuasa, then one can expect top-notch animation, and it seems promising by the looks of the trailer.
Yuasa is well known for his works in Devilman Crybaby, Ride your Wave, and Keep your hands off Eizouken.
III. About Sakyo Komatsu
Sakyo Komatsu was one of the most well known and highly regarded science fiction writers in Japan. He was considered as one of the most excellent writers of Japan and is often spoken with the likes of Shin’ichi Hochi and Yasutaka Tsutsui.
He passed away on July 26, 2011, in Osaka from the complications of pneumonia at the age of 80. The day marked the demise of a significant loss to the nation.
3. Production Update
The 10-episode anime series is all set to release on July 9, 2020. Masaaki Yuasa and his team have worked very hard for this adaptation. They have poured their heart and soul into it. Moreover, this is an anime that we all need to experience.
4. Key Visual
In the visual, we can see Ayumu and Gou dashing towards the devastated city as to help someone probably.
The animation highly resembles that of ‘Devilman Crybaby,’ which doesn’t come off as a surprise to me. The same person directs it.
For a disaster that was set in the 70s and adapting it now in 2020, it must be a challenge for the studio. Nonetheless, I have some high expectations from it.
6. The Storyline
A major earthquake hits Japan shortly after the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Ayumu and Gou, siblings of the Mutoh household, begin to run with their parents far away from the unexpected chaos.
In the face of this dreadful reality, the Mutoh family tries to understand things and stick together, supporting and caring for each other in these disastrous times.
7. Cast and Staff
The cast and staff of Japan Sinks are:
- Director – Masaaki Yuasa
- Series Composition – Toshio Yoshikata
- Character Design – Naoya Wada
- Music – Kensuke Ushio
- Studio – Science SARU
- Masaki Terasoma as Koichiro Mutoh
- Reina Ueda as Ayumu Mutoh
- Tomo Muranaka as Gou Mutoh
- Yuko Sasaki as Mari Mutoh
8. About Japan Sinks
Japan Sinks or Nihon Chinbotsu is a disaster novel written by Sakyo Komatsu, he worked upon it for a whole nine years. There’s also a sequel to the story which was published in 2006, talk of a third one is currently ongoing. Kodansha published the novel.
Based on the novel, a film by Shiro Moritani was released in 1973 only. It was also adapted as a television show in 1975, a remake in 2006, and now an ONA (original net animation) in 2020 by Netflix.
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