GUEST BLOG: Mitchell Nagy on Japanese Anime Classics WHISPER OF THE HEART and GALAXY EXPRESS 999
Leiji Matsumoto’s Galaxy Express 999 (pronounced “three-nine”) marks a universe of stories across space and time with recurring characters. The series launched shortly after the manga debuted in 1977. Finding success with space war opera Space Battleship Yamato, the story turns its focus on society troubled by mechanization in space. The premise surrounds Tetsuro Hoshino, age 10. Save for innate curiosity, sense of humor, and sheer will, Tetsuro bears no significant power which makes this show markedly different from shonen contemporaries.
Earth is plagued by poverty, and it is a time where rich mechanized humanoids harbor open prejudice and violence toward flesh body humans. When Tetsuro’s mother is killed, he journeys across space in honor of her to become mechanical and without prejudice. A women of mystery and talent named Maetel offers him free passage and guidance. They board the titular locomotive and planet hop finding plagued situations on each one as new conflicts arise.
There are adventures and experiences that often put them in danger. Some memorable episodes include assisting a rebel against the total manufactural economy and subsequent pollution of her planet’s surface and another where they meet a feral Tarzan-like man who owns an entire jungle planet and terrorizes those who set foot on it. Tetsuro contemplates, considering if the radical people he meets deserve discrimination. The series counteracts tonal heft with slapstick comedy. It makes for light, irreverent, yet humane moments that sit well with the presentation.
Filled with solemn moments of growth on a tragic bildungsroman, it is also about the hilarious moments experienced along the path. These elements are equally imparted in a show for audiences young and old. It is a story that ruminates life’s fragility with charming space fantasy and it will sweep one’s soul away to the unknown sea of stars.
Directed by the late Yoshifumi Kondo, Studio Ghibli’s Whisper of the Heart is based on a shojo manga with adapted screenplay from master animator Hayao Miyazaki. Together they created a film with inviting textures and multilayered depth set in Western Tokyo. This is the home of protagonist Shizuku, a middle schooler, soon to be high schooler. The story eases into light romantic comedy when she befriends a talented boy named Seiji. Together they chase self- expression with an interest in literature, adventure, music, love, and introspection.
Miya-san saw Kondo-san as his successor and his talent here exemplifies. This slice of life film is not a far cry from fantasy Ghibli works in tone but departs enough to manage a grounded story. Detailed care is placed on Shizuku’s social interactions among friends and family. She challenges school, relationships, and self-expression. We see how everyday outings change and express her inner emotion and intellect. In one sequence, a steep grade in town transforms into her developing fantasy novel. In another memorable instance, she performs an impromptu tune of Country Roads by John Denver with Seiji as his grandfather and elderly friends join in with their own instruments.
Scenes with family arguments and middle school drama show that Shizuku wants to establish herself with personal endeavors. The beginnings of self-realization and self-care form as she actively experiences her surroundings. Alongside befriending Seiji, this makes for finding whimsy in each corner of the neighborhood. She grows with those she respects fondly to support overcoming challenges. Upon reflection during pandemic, where worries are high, the film serves a reminder that there’s always enough time to work on goals and express oneself. Exemplifying the perpetuity of improvement, to better ours and others lives, Whisper of the Heart indulges the young and old to take on daily challenges.
Mitchell Nagy is a graduate of Cal State Northridge with a passion for movies. To read the unabridged, full length versions of both these posts, visit his blog: https://medium.com/@cyan.syteal