Nothing beats the joy of reconnecting with the things that were quite prevalent in earlier times. From myths and legends to historical accounts, they speak about the grandeur of time. Looking at it, one’s existence feels like a part of something large and eternal.
‘Umi no Minwa no Machi’ (The City of Sea Folktales) is one such project that aims to pass ‘local folklore’ to the younger generation with the help of anime.
On Monday, the Nippon Foundation announced a new animated series for ‘Umi no Minwa no Machi’. It will premiere in December 2023 and will contain 25 episodes. Shinnosuke Numata is overseeing the project as the chairman of the executive and certification committee.
The anime project was launched in 2018 to bequeath Japan’s relationship with the sea and the pride of the region. Through these stories, they also intend to enlighten the children with the thoughts, warnings, and lessons they convey.
As of 2022, a total of 42 stories have been animated that you can watch on the official website and YouTube
The official website has also revealed all 25 sea folktales that will be adapted for the 2023 series. Each story will belong to a different region, including inland areas like Yamanashi, Nagano, and Shiga; and the ones facing the sea like Yamagata and Ishikawa.
Episode List
| Ep. No. | Japanese Title | English Translation | City & Prefecture of Origin |
| 1. | Shima no Tengu-sama | Tengu-sama of the island | Haboro, Hokkaido |
| 2. | Kanda Kani | Kanda crab | Sotogahama, Aomori |
| 3. | Kamiwari Geki | Kamiwari rock | Minamisanriku, Miyagi |
| 4. | Kurokami to Akakami no Tatakai | Battle of the black god and the red god | Oga, Akita |
| 5. | Todo no Ongaeshi | Sea lion’s gratitude | Sakata, Yamagata |
| 6. | Karo-san no Tenga Myо̄jin | Long-armed god of Mt. Karо̄ | Shinchi, Fukushima |
| 7. | Yukideko no Shirohebi | White snake of the thawed snow mound | Funabashi, Chiba |
| 8. | Senju О̄hashi to О̄kame | Senju Great Bridge and the giant turtle | Adachi, Tokyo |
| 9. | Kujira Mikoshi | Whale palanquin | Imizu, Toyama |
| 10. | Tako Kamisama | Octopus god | Nanao, Ishikawa |
| 11. | Nishiogawa 11-men Kannon Bosatsu | Nishiogawa 11-headed bodhisattva | Obama, Fukui |
| 12. | Maritsuki-uta | Maritsuki song | Fujikawa, Yamanashi |
| 13. | Utо̄tо̄ge | Utо̄ Pass | Shiojiri, Nagano |
| 14. | Okuhamanako no Densetsu | The legend of the nue of Okuhamana Lake | Hanamatsu, Shizuoka |
| 15. | Ama no Tomokazuki | Female diver’s tomokazuki, or aquatic yо̄kai | Toba, Mie |
| 16. | Shikobuchi-san | Mt. Shikobuchi | Takashima, Shiga |
| 17. | Bettō no Shio | Steward’s tide | Awaji, Hyōgo |
| 18. | Daisen no Amidasama | Amida of Daisen | Daisen, Tottori |
| 19. | Kyūri no Kamisama Yamabe Jinja | Cucumber god’s shrine near the mountains | Gotsu, Shimane |
| 20. | Hyakkanjima Monogatari | Tale of Hyakkan Island | Fukuyama, Hiroshima |
| 21. | Naruto no Taiko | Naruto’s taiko drum | Naruto, Tokushima |
| 22. | Jizō ga Hama | Jizō seaside | Saijo, Ehime |
| 23. | Umi ni Shizunda Oni | The oni who sank in the sea | Nakatoka, Kochi |
| 24. | Koto no Umi no Tennyo | Celestial maiden of the koto’s sea | Higashisonogi, Nagasaki |
| 25. | Okanegahama to Okuregahama | Okanegahama to Okuregahama | Hyuga, Miyazaki |
I believe these stories would educate international anime viewers, too, allowing them to appreciate Japanese culture and anime deeply and identify references. It would be great if the 2023 series also joins the collection on the website with English subtitles.
About Umi no Minwa no Machi
‘Umi no Minwa no Machi’ (The City of Sea Folktales) is an anime project launched in 2018 and is produced and directed by Shinnosuke Numata. The series adapts local sea folktales all across Japan and shares the relationship of the country with the sea.
It also intends to share the teachings and wisdom that have been passed through generations through these folktales.
As of 2022, 42 stories have been adapted. The 2023 season will adapt 25 stories that belong to different regions in Japan.
Source: Official Website , Comic Natalie
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