Magic Boy (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Magic Boy |
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American promotional poster
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| Directed by | Akira Daikubara Taiji Yabushita |
| Produced by | Hiroshi Ōkawa |
| Screenplay by | Michihei Muramatsu Toppei Matsumura |
| Story by | Kazuo Dan |
| Music by | Satoshi Funemura Toru Funamura |
| Studio | Toei Animation |
| Distributed by | Toei Company (Japan) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (United States) |
| Release date(s) | December 25, 1959 (Japan) |
| Running time | 83 minutes |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese |
Magic Boy is an exciting Japanese animated movie from 1959. In Japan, it's known as Shōnen Sarutobi Sasuke (少年猿飛佐助, "The Boy Sarutobi Sasuke"). This film was made by Toei Animation. It was one of the very first Japanese animated movies to be shown in the United States. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer released it there in 1961.
The Story of Magic Boy
The story of Magic Boy takes place in ancient Japan. A young boy named Sasuke lives in a forest with his sister and many animal friends. One day, a giant eagle grabs a young deer and drops it into a lake. Sasuke tries to save it, but a huge, scary salamander appears.
This monster eats one of Sasuke's animal friends. Sasuke tries to fight the creature, but he is too small and weak. The salamander then leaves the lake and changes into its true form: a powerful female demon named Yakusha.
Sasuke's sister explains that Yakusha was turned into a salamander a long time ago by a wizard. Now, she has regained her power and wants to rule Japan with fear. Sasuke decides he must find a wise magician. He wants to learn how to fight Yakusha, save Japan, and get revenge for his lost pet.
Characters and Voice Actors
Here are the main characters in Magic Boy and the actors who voiced them:
| Character | Voice actor |
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| Sarutobi Sasuke | Teruo Miyazaki |
| O-Yū | Hiroko Sakuramachi |
| Tozawa Hakuunsai | Kenji Susukida |
| O-Kei-chan | Tomoko Matsushima |
| Sanada Yukimura | Katsuo Nakamura |
| Miyoshi Seikai | Akira Kishii |
| Yasha-hime O-Mon | Harue Akagi |
| Yamaarashi no Gonkurō | Yoshio Yoshida |
| Okera no Kinta | Ryōei Itō |
| Batta no Sanji | Shunji Sakai |
| Guard | Kazuo Kishida |
The American Version
When Magic Boy was released in the English language in the United States, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) kept most of the original Japanese songs. MGM wanted Sasuke to seem like a samurai to American audiences, because samurai were seen as heroes. However, ninja were often thought of as "sneaky spies."
Because of this, MGM's advertisements incorrectly called the movie The Adventures of the Little Samurai. This was not the real Japanese title, even though the movie poster showed the correct one.
The Video Game
A video game based on the movie was released in 1994. It was called Shōnen Sarutobi Sasuke, just like the Japanese movie title. The game is also known as Sasuke Ninja Boy. It was made by Sunsoft for the Super Famicom.
