Anime, with its vibrant characters, captivating narratives, and diverse genres, has become a global phenomenon. But how far back do its roots truly go? Let’s embark on a journey to uncover the top 10 oldest anime in the world.
While the term “anime” was coined later, these early animations laid the foundation for the beloved art form we know today. It’s important to note that some of these oldest anime may be difficult to find or even watch in their entirety. However, their historical significance remains undeniable.
1. The Dull Sword (1917):
This black and white silent film, considered the oldest known anime, is a mere 5 minutes long. Despite its brevity, it showcases the birth of Japanese animation.
Unearthed in 2008, The Dull Sword (Namakura Gatana) holds the title of the oldest known anime in the world. This rediscovered anime, a mere 4-minute silent film, offers a captivating glimpse into the very beginnings of Japanese animation.
The story revolves around a foolish ronin (masterless samurai) who purchases a sword from a seemingly unsuspecting vendor. However, the thrill-seeking ronin soon discovers, to his comedic dismay, that the sword is utterly dull – a “nama kura gatana” (dull sword) as the title translates to.
The Dull Sword employs a technique called (cel animation),” where characters are hand-drawn on transparent celluloid sheets. These sheets are then layered and photographed one frame at a time, creating the illusion of movement. While the animation is basic by today’s standards, it laid the groundwork for the complex techniques used in modern anime.
The film’s humor lies in the ronin’s escalating frustration. He attempts the practice of ”tsuji giri” (crossroads killing), a barbaric act where a samurai tests a new blade by slaying a passerby. However, the dull sword fails him comically each time, leaving the intended victims unharmed and utterly confused.
The Dull Sword’s rediscovery sparked a renewed interest in early Japanese animation. It serves as a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of those who dared to push the boundaries of storytelling through this new medium. While short and simple, The Dull Sword holds immense historical significance, standing as a silent pioneer that paved the way for the vast and vibrant world of anime we know today.
2. The Hare and the Tortoise (1924):
This short film, based on Aesop’s fable, is another contender for the title of oldest anime. It highlights the early use of cel animation, a technique still employed today. While The Dull Sword may hold the crown for the oldest known anime, another contender for the title is the charming The Hare and the Tortoise (Usagi to Kame), released in 1924. Based on the classic Aesop’s fable, this short film is a significant piece of early anime history for several reasons.
The Hare and the Tortoise showcases the early use of cel animation, the technique employed in The Dull Sword. Here, the characters of the arrogant hare and the determined tortoise come to life through a series of hand-drawn cells, creating a smoother and more fluid animation experience compared to its silent predecessor.
The film goes beyond simply translating the fable onto the screen. Sanae Yamamoto, the animator behind The Hare and the Tortoise, incorporated unique elements. The backgrounds, for instance, depict a fantastical landscape that feels more European than Japanese, reflecting the early experimentation with styles in anime.
Another interesting aspect of the film is its possible connection to a popular children’s song of the time, also titled “The Hare and the Tortoise.” The Japanese Animated Film Classics project suggests that the film might have been designed to visually represent the song’s lyrics, with musical notes even appearing as speech bubbles emanating from the characters. This potential link between film and song highlights the multimedia storytelling approaches of the era.
The Hare and the Tortoise may be a simple story, but its cultural impact is undeniable. It stands as a testament to the early adoption of well-known narratives for anime and the exploration of innovative storytelling methods. This charming fable not only entertained audiences but also helped solidify anime’s foundation as a medium capable of captivating viewers of all ages.
3. Ubasuteyama (1925):
Based on a Japanese folktale, this dark film tackles a controversial social practice. It’s a reminder of the thematic range explored in these oldest anime. In world of top 10 first anime ever, Ubasuteyama stands out amongst the oldest anime for its thematic complexity and willingness to tackle a dark social practice. While The Dull Sword and The Hare and the Tortoise presented lighthearted narratives, Ubasuteyama delves into a more mature subject – the practice of abandoning elderly family members on mountains to die.
The film, based on a Japanese folktale, tells the story of a devoted son who defies the law of his cruel lord. This law dictates that all citizens must be taken to a mountain known as Ubasuteyama (literally translating to “old person Abandonment Mountain”) upon reaching the age of 60.
The son, unable to bear the thought of losing his mother, secretly hides her when the officials arrive. However, a crisis emerges when the lord demands an impossible task – threading a silk thread through a tiny hole in a crystal ball. The son, at a loss, turns to his mother for help. Despite being ostracized, her wisdom saves the day as she suggests a clever solution involving an ant and honey.
Ubasuteyama’s significance lies in its courage to explore a controversial social issue. The practice of abandoning the elderly, though not officially sanctioned, was a grim reality in some parts of Japan’s history. The film, while not explicitly condemning the practice, serves as a poignant reminder of its inhumanity.
The animation style in Ubasuteyama is more detailed compared to its predecessors. While still basic by modern standards, the characters display a wider range of emotions, and the use of layered backgrounds creates a more immersive atmosphere.
While the film’s ending has been interpreted in various ways, some see it as a hopeful message. The lord, impressed by the mother’s wisdom, potentially rethinks the cruel law. This optimistic interpretation highlights the potential of anime to not only entertain but also spark conversations about social issues.
Ubasuteyama, despite its dark theme, remains a valuable piece of anime history. It showcases the willingness of early animators to grapple with complex narratives and serves as a reminder of the evolving role of anime in Japanese society.
Here are some other ones in list of top 10 oldest anime:
4. The Pot (1925):
This short comedy centers on a mischievous tanuki (raccoon dog) and a teapot. It offers a glimpse into the use of humor in these oldest anime.
5. A Story of Tobacco (1926):
This black and white film explores the history and cultivation of tobacco in Japan. It showcases the diversity of themes tackled in the top 10 oldest anime in the world.
6. The Monkey and the Crabs (1927):
This short film features a playful monkey outsmarting a group of crabs. It highlights the use of animal characters, a common trope in many oldest anime.
7-10:
Due to the limited availability of information and the fragmentary nature of some early works, ranking the remaining entries definitively can be challenging. Other contenders for the top 10 oldest anime include “A Ship of Oranges” (c. 1920s), ”Tumbling Glue” (1928), “Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka” (1929), and “Manga Saru Kashiwagi” (1933).
These oldest anime may lack the sophistication of modern productions, but their historical significance is undeniable. They offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of animation and the early days of what would become a global phenomenon. So, the next time you delve into the world of anime, remember the pioneers who paved the way with these top 10 oldest anime in the world. If you are interested about history of oldest anime of the world, check out first anime on anime suggestion!
