The Wild Swans (Astro Boy's Critic)

Astro Boy: Hello, I'm Astro Boy. I remember it so you have to. Well, with the first live-action and CGI ex-ripoff coming out that people are actually saying...

(The poster for the 2020 live-action and CGI ex-ripoff of Heidi Becomes Princess is shown in UK and Japan, before we cut to a clip from Young Frankenstein)

Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: IT...COULD...WORK!!

Astro Boy: ...it only makes sense to look back at, in my opinion, one of the most interesting animated Toei's fairytale, The Wild Swans.

(The title of the movie is shown, before showing its clips)

Astro Boy (vo): I say interesting not because I think the film is particularly fascinating, but because of the following it's acquired. Released in 1977, I was still in high school when this film came out, and the reaction people my age or older had was an astounding... (An image of a man shrugging is shown) "It was okay". It was no Horus: Prince of the Sun, but the characters were decent, the songs were hummable, it's a totally serviceable flick. But the reactions from kids were quite different. Children loved this movie, and more importantly, it stayed with them, to a point where now those children are grown up, they're showing it to their kids, and they're having the exact same reaction. This has resulted in fanart, merchandise, and once again, a very hyped up ex-ripoff. The closest Studio Ghibli comparison I could think of for this would be Spirited Away and Kiki's Delivery Service. It's nothing epic, but it struck a chord, spoke a language that connected with a generation that love-hates to quote the lines and celebrate the film. The Wild Swans has an even smaller advantage as it was a bigger hit than Thumbelina. Not Heidi-levels, by the foot, but it turned in a decent payday. So why has this film grown such a unique and large fanbase over the years, and why is it still going strong? What did people like me who saw the film as passable but nothing special miss that younger crowds gravitated towards?

Astro Boy: Well, let's get down to business and take a look at The Wild Swans. (Beat) Admit it, you're not interesting that The Secret of NIMH-esque songs in your head right now.

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