"Takahashi Rumiko gekijô: Ningyo no mori" (2003) TV series

Director:

Masaharu Okuwaki

Writers:

Enrica Minini (script: Italian version)
Rumiko Takahashi (comic)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

4 October 2003 (Japan)

Genre:

Animation

Cast

Nao Nagasawa

...

Pitto (13 episodes, 2003)

Also Known As:

Mermaid Forest (USA) (video title)
Ningyo no mori (Japan) (short title)
Rumic Theater: Mermaid Forest (International: English title)

Runtime:

Japan:22 min (13 episodes)

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Company:

Prime Direction

Movie Connections:

Spin off from Ningyo no mori (1991) (V)

The Little Mermaid gone bad

Whether you like this series or not will depend on how much you favor story over animation. The Mermaid-series harbor a fascinating universe with intense stories and a fairy tale-like quality. Problem is the animation is very lackluster. It's all done by computer and features none of the gorgeous hand drawn anime we're so used to seeing. Instead everything on screen is kept very simple and the environments have no dept what so ever. Back in 1991 another version of the 'Mermaid's Forest'-tale (also included in the new series, as a new, but lesser two part-take) was made, where both the story and the animation were so much better. Unfortunately this is only available on video. The previous version was also much more violent and featured nudity, which gave the story a sharper, more sinister edge. This new take on the saga is more like kiddie matinée-stuff in comparison. So, check out this series if you like the work of Rumiko Takahashi, but don't expect too much magic. I'm sure everyone who happen to see the 1991-version will agree.