Directed by Yasuji Murata In Kobu-Tori, an old man with a lump growing on his face takes refuge in a hollow tree during a thunderstorm. When he awakens, he finds the forest populated by mythic creatures. He dances with the sprites and as a reward, the creatures remove his deformity. Back in the village, he tells another man who has a similar growth on his face? Will the creatures bestow the same boon upon this other man?
In Taro's Toy Train, a small boy named Taro spends his days playing with other children and his evenings playing with his toy electric train. After he goes to sleep, the train comes alive in his dreams with animals as passengers and himself as the conductor. But when the monkeys and the farm animals come to blows, can Taro keep the peace?
In 1929, we have seen Disney (meh) and we have seen Felix (better), but after watching these, the Japanese are frankly kicking our American tail.
Both films have a wonderful amount of detail at a level unseen in the other animation reviewed on the site. The characters here are incredibly intricate in design and capable of a range of emotions that make Mickey and Felix look like cardboard cutouts.
Kobu-Tori is superior to Taro's Toy Train in the story it tells. The former has a whimsical, fairy tale atmosphere and some real lessons at its heart. The latter is slight and practically devoid of any real plot.
In these early Japanese cartoons you can see the beginnings of anime. It's frankly embarrassing to see how far ahead these are compared to anything produced in an American studio.
Kobu-Tori: ****1/2
Taro's Toy Train: ***1/2
Kobu-Tori:
Taro's Toy Train:
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