Himitsu no Akko-chan
Encyclopedia
is a pioneering magical girl
manga
and anime
that ran in Japan
during the 1960s.
The manga was drawn and written by Fujio Akatsuka
, and was published in Ribon
from 1962 to 1965. It predates the Mahōtsukai Sunny (whose name became Sally in the Mahōtsukai Sally anime) manga, printed in 1966. However, that title is the first magical girl anime as Himitsu no Akko-chan was not broadcast until 1969.
The original anime ran for 94 episodes from 1969 to 1970. It was animated by Toei Animation
and broadcast by TV Asahi
(then known as NET). It has been remade twice, in 1988 (61 episodes, featuring Mitsuko Horie
in the role of Akko-chan and singing the opening and ending themes) and in 1998 (44 episodes). Two Akko-chan movies were made in 1989 and five were created between 1969 and 1973. It will also be adapted into a live action film scheduled to be released on September 2012.
Atsuko "Akko-chan" Kagami (known variously as "Stilly," "Caroline," or "Julie" in Western versions of the anime) is an energetic elementary school girl who has an affinity for mirrors. One day, her favorite mirror which was given to Akko by her mother (or in some versions, by her father, as a present from India
) is broken, and she prefers to bury it in her yard rather than throw it to the trash can. In her dreams, she is contacted by a spirit
(or in some cases the Queen
of the Mirror Kingdom
) who is touched that the little girl would treat the mirror so respectfully and not simply throw it away. Akko-chan is then given the gift of a magical mirror and taught an enchantment
that will allow her to transform into anything she wishes.
an market in the 1980s. In fact, all three Akko-chan series have been screened on TV in Italy
.
Magical girl
belong to a sub-genre of Japanese fantasy anime and manga. Magical girl stories feature young girls with superhuman abilities, forced to fight evil and to protect the Earth. They often possess a secret identity, although the name can just refer to young girls who follow a plotline involving magic...
manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
and anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
that ran in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
during the 1960s.
The manga was drawn and written by Fujio Akatsuka
Fujio Akatsuka
was a pioneer Japanese artist of comical manga known as the Gag Manga King. His name at birth is 赤塚 藤雄, whose Japanese pronunciation is the same as 赤塚 不二夫....
, and was published in Ribon
Ribon
is a monthly Japanese shōjo manga magazine published by Shueisha. First issued in August 1955, its rivals are Nakayoshi and Ciao. Its target audience is young girls roughly 9–13 years old. In 2009, the magazine's circulation was 274,167, down from the previous year's circulation numbers of 330,000...
from 1962 to 1965. It predates the Mahōtsukai Sunny (whose name became Sally in the Mahōtsukai Sally anime) manga, printed in 1966. However, that title is the first magical girl anime as Himitsu no Akko-chan was not broadcast until 1969.
The original anime ran for 94 episodes from 1969 to 1970. It was animated by Toei Animation
Toei Animation
Toei Animation Co., Ltd. is a Japanese animation studio owned by Toei Co., Ltd. The studio was founded in 1948 as Japan Animated Films . In 1956, Toei purchased the studio and it was reincorporated under its current name...
and broadcast by TV Asahi
TV Asahi
, also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network....
(then known as NET). It has been remade twice, in 1988 (61 episodes, featuring Mitsuko Horie
Mitsuko Horie
is a Japanese seiyū and singer. She was born on March 8, 1957 in Yamato, Kanagawa, Japan. She has voiced several characters throughout her career, such as Sailor Galaxia in Sailor Moon: Sailor Stars and Remi in the Nippon Animation World Masterpiece Theater series Remi, Nobody's Girl...
in the role of Akko-chan and singing the opening and ending themes) and in 1998 (44 episodes). Two Akko-chan movies were made in 1989 and five were created between 1969 and 1973. It will also be adapted into a live action film scheduled to be released on September 2012.
Basic plot
While each remake has small differences, the basic premise is always the same.Atsuko "Akko-chan" Kagami (known variously as "Stilly," "Caroline," or "Julie" in Western versions of the anime) is an energetic elementary school girl who has an affinity for mirrors. One day, her favorite mirror which was given to Akko by her mother (or in some versions, by her father, as a present from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
) is broken, and she prefers to bury it in her yard rather than throw it to the trash can. In her dreams, she is contacted by a spirit
Spirit
The English word spirit has many differing meanings and connotations, most of them relating to a non-corporeal substance contrasted with the material body.The spirit of a living thing usually refers to or explains its consciousness.The notions of a person's "spirit" and "soul" often also overlap,...
(or in some cases the Queen
Queen regnant
A queen regnant is a female monarch who reigns in her own right, in contrast to a queen consort, who is the wife of a reigning king. An empress regnant is a female monarch who reigns in her own right over an empire....
of the Mirror Kingdom
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
) who is touched that the little girl would treat the mirror so respectfully and not simply throw it away. Akko-chan is then given the gift of a magical mirror and taught an enchantment
Enchantment
Enchantment may refer to:*Incantation or enchantment, a magical spell, charm or bewitchment, in traditional fairy tales or fantasy*the sense of Wonder or Delight**for the usage by J.R.R. Tolkien, see "On Fairy Stories"titles and proper names...
that will allow her to transform into anything she wishes.
1969
- Akko - Yoshiko Ōta
- Moko - Sumiko Shirakawa
- Taisho - Hiroshi Ōtake
- Shosho - Sachiko ChijimatsuSachiko Chijimatsuis a female Japanese voice actres represented by Arts Vision.She is most known for the roles of Pyonkichi , Nobita's Mama , Kabu , Shippona , and 001/Ivan Whiskey ....
- Kankichi - Akiko Tsuboi
- Gammo - Junko HoriJunko Horiis a Japanese actress and voice actor represented by Production Baobab.She is known as the voice of the protagonists in 3 Fujiko Fujio works, Obake no Q-tarō, Ninja Hattori-kun, and Chinpui...
→ Mariko Takigawa - Chikako - Hiroko Maruyama
- Goma - Kōko Kagawa→ Junko Hori
- Papa - Ichirō MurakoshiIchiro Murakoshiwas a male Japanese voice actor from Tokyo, Japan. He was a Waseda University graduate. His real name was .-Anime:*The Adventures of Tom Sawyer *Doraemon *GeGeGe no Kitaro 1985 *Gekisou Rubenkaiser...
- Mama - Reiko Senō
- Sato-sensei - Osamu Ichikawa
- Moriyama-sensei - Naoko TakahashiNaoko Takahashiis a Japanese long-distance runner competing mainly in the marathon. She is widely known for her victory in the women's marathon at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, a performance that stands as the current Olympic record. At the 2001 Berlin Marathon, Takahashi became the first woman to break the 2...
→ Kōko Kagawa - Narration - Shun YashiroShun Yashirowas a Japanese actor and voice actor from Tsuyama, Okayama. At the time of his death, he was affiliated with Theater Echo. Throughout his career, Yashiro was also known as , , and ....
1988
- Akko - Mitsuko HorieMitsuko Horieis a Japanese seiyū and singer. She was born on March 8, 1957 in Yamato, Kanagawa, Japan. She has voiced several characters throughout her career, such as Sailor Galaxia in Sailor Moon: Sailor Stars and Remi in the Nippon Animation World Masterpiece Theater series Remi, Nobody's Girl...
- Moko - Kazuko SugiyamaKazuko Sugiyama, born is a voice actress who was born in Nagoya and works for Aoni Production.In February 2010, she received a "Merit Awards" from the 4th Seiyū Awards....
- Taisho - Yoku ShioyaYoku Shioyais a Japanese voice actor debuting in Umi no Triton . Recently he has done some voice directing in such anime as Basilisk: The Kouga Ninja Scrolls. His real name is Tsubasa Shioya...
- Shosho - Katsue MiwaKatsue Miwais a Japanese voice actress from Osaka affiliated with the studio Aoni Production. She began her career in 1960 and has since starred in a number of voice-over roles for various anime, video games, films, and television commercials.-Anime:...
- Kankichi - Noriko UemuraNoriko Uemurais a Japanese voice actress who works for Aoni Production.-TV anime:*Captain Tsubasa as Takeshi Sawada*Kiteretsu Daihyakka as Sayuri Kumada and Konchi*Sailor Moon as Petasos , Yasha , Queen Metaria , and Kaolinite ....
- Gammo - Noriko TsukaseNoriko Tsukasewas a Japanese voice actress and chanson singer active during the 1970s and 1980s.Tsukase was born in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. Her most popular roles included Spank in Ohayō! Spank, Miss Alphonne in the original Cutie Honey TV series, and Non in Majokko Megu-chan...
→ Yūko MitaYuko Mitais a Japanese voice actress. She is known for playing gentle, sexy bishōjo as well as many roles of young boys. Her hobbies include tennis and skiing...
(took over role due to Tsukase's death partway through production) - Chikako - Keiko YamamotoKeiko Yamamoto', born August 7, 1943, is a veteran female voice actor from Osaka Prefecture. Many of her roles have been young boys or tomboyish young girls.-TV Anime:*Akadō Suzunosuke 1972 *Aria the Natural...
- Goma - Noriko Tsukase→ Chie SatōChie SatōChie Satō is a Japanese voice actress who has been featured in a number of anime shows. She is most known for portraying various characters on a number of Pokémon television shows and as Bo-chan in Crayon Shin-chan.-Anime :* Seigi Choujin vs...
- Papa - Banjō GingaBanjo Ginga, sometimes credited as his real name , is a Japanese voice actor who was born in Kofu, Yamanashi. Ginga is currently affiliated with Aoni Production...
- Mama - Yoshiko Ōta
- Sato-sensei - Masaharu SatōMasaharu Satois a Japanese voice actor currently working for Aoni Production.Along with the late Kōji Totani, he is considered the No. 1 supporting actor of the Japanese voice acting world....
- Moriyama-sensei - Kyōko Irokawa
- Shippona - Naoko Watanabe
- Dora - Masaharu Satō
- Mirror Queen - Eiko MasuyamaEiko Masuyamais a Japanese voice actress who works for Aoni Production. She is most known for the roles of Fujiko Mine , Kisaragi Honey , and Bakabon's Mama .-Notable voice roles:...
- Kio - Shigeru NakaharaShigeru Nakaharais a veteran seiyū . He works at Vi-Vo .-Notable voice roles:*Another Century's Episode 2 , *Arion *Aura Battler Dunbine *Biker Mice from Mars...
- Gentaro - Kazumi TanakaKazumi Tanakawas a male voice actor from Suginami, Tokyo, Japan. He was the younger brother of Ryouichi Tanaka and was affiliated with Aoni Production at the time of his death. He was best known for his roles in Dragon Ball Z , Galaxy Cyclone Braiger and Zawazawamori no Ganko-chan...
1998
- Akko - Wakana YamazakiWakana Yamazakiis a Japanese voice actress who works for Aoni Production.-Television animation:* Air Gear * All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku * Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo * Captain Tsubasa * Dai no Daibouken...
- Moko - Kikumi Umeda
- Taisho - Takuma Suzuki
- Shosho - Satomi Kōrogi
- Kankichi - Harumi IkomaHarumi Ikomais a Seiyū that is best known for performing narration and character voices in popular fighting videogames for SNK, now known as SNK Playmore. She is the standard voice for the characters Blue Mary, King, Charlotte, and Nakoruru who appear in the popular franchises of video games King of Fighters,...
- Gammo - Junko TakeuchiJunko Takeuchiis a Japanese voice actress employed by Love Live.Taking a well-trod path by many voice actresses, she often voices young male characters with generally very quirky and goofy personalities...
- Chikako - Keiko YamamotoKeiko Yamamoto', born August 7, 1943, is a veteran female voice actor from Osaka Prefecture. Many of her roles have been young boys or tomboyish young girls.-TV Anime:*Akadō Suzunosuke 1972 *Aria the Natural...
- Goma - Yasuhiro TakatoYasuhiro Takatois a Japanese voice actor who works for Aoni Production.-Film and television:*Saruo in Dōbutsu no Mori , the film adaptation of the Animal Crossing video game series.*Mesopotamion Guy and Haou in Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo*Jean in Captain Tsubasa...
- Papa - Ken YamaguchiKen Yamaguchiwas a Japanese voice actor. He was represented by OYS Produce.He was most known for the roles of Ashuraman, The Omegaman, Prisman , Genji Togashi , Flazzard , Tarantula Arachne , and Ein .Yamaguchi died on October 24, 2011 due to illness.-Notable voice...
- Mama - Miina TominagaMiina Tominaga, better known by her stage name of is a Japanese seiyū and tarento from Nishi-ku, Hiroshima. She is currently attached to Mint Avenue....
- Sato-sensei - Hiroki TakahashiHiroki Takahashiis a Japanese voice actor best known for the role of Eiji Kikumaru in The Prince of Tennis, Kenji Harima in School Rumble and Katsuya Jonouchi in Yu-Gi-Oh. He works at Big Shot/Interchannel. He also has voice acted in some yaoi Drama CD's such as Love Neco, and Koi cha no Osahou...
- Moriyama-sensei - Ai NaganoAi Naganois a Japanese voice actress. She has been voice-acting since 1997.Ai is famous for her role in Cutey Honey Flash as Honey, which was her debut role...
- Shippona - Ai Nagano
- Mirror Queen - Mitsuko HorieMitsuko Horieis a Japanese seiyū and singer. She was born on March 8, 1957 in Yamato, Kanagawa, Japan. She has voiced several characters throughout her career, such as Sailor Galaxia in Sailor Moon: Sailor Stars and Remi in the Nippon Animation World Masterpiece Theater series Remi, Nobody's Girl...
Foreign distribution
Largely unknown in the English-speaking world, Himitsu no Akko-chan enjoyed a good deal of success when it was exported to the EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an market in the 1980s. In fact, all three Akko-chan series have been screened on TV in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
- Lo specchio magico (Italian, first series)
- Caroline (French, second series; pronounced "Cah-ro-LEHN")
- Los secretos de Julie (Spanish language version shown in Latin America, second series)
- El Secreto de Akko (Spanish version shown in Spain, third series)
- Un mondo di magia (Italian, second series)
- Stilly e lo specchio magico (Italian, third series) - In series three, as in series one, "Stilly" is the Italian name for Akko-chan.
- Czarodziejskie zwierciadełko (Polish, first series)
External links
- Toei Animation's Himitsu no Akko-chan page (Japanese)
- Himitsu no Akko-chans entry at the Henshin: The Mahou Shoujo Genre fansite
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