The appeal and evaluation of Parasol Henbei: A unique world view and a deep look into the characters

Parasol Henbei: Looking back at classic anime

"Parasol Henbee," which aired from 1989 to 1991, was an original anime work based on the original story by Fujiko Fujio A, and was loved by many children. This work was broadcast on NHK General TV, and although it was a short 10-minute program, it entertained viewers for a long period of time, spanning 200 episodes. Here, we will take a closer look at the appeal and background of "Parasol Henbee," as well as the points that make it enjoyable to watch today.

Overview

"Parasol Henbei" is a story about the protagonist Henbei who goes on various adventures using a parasol. Henbei solves small problems that occur in everyday life together with Megeru, an ordinary elementary school student, and his family. The anime aired from October 2, 1989 to January 12, 1991, and was released in a total of 200 episodes.

The original work was by Fujiko Fujio A, animation was produced by C&D Distribution, planning and production was by NHK, and co-production was handled by NHK Enterprises and NHK Service Center. The director was Masakazu Higuchi, and the copyright belongs to "©1989 Fujiko Studio, NHK-SC".

Character Introduction

The charm of "Parasol Henbee" lies in its unique characters. The main characters are introduced below.

• Henbei (voiced by Nakamura Meiko) - The main character, Parasol. He goes on various adventures with Megel.
• Megeru (voiced by Noriko Hidaka) - An elementary school student who owns Henbei. She is very curious and solves problems together with Henbei.
• Papa (voiced by Akira Murayama) - Megel's father. He is a gentle and family-oriented person.
• Mama (voiced by Rihoko Yoshida) - Megel's mother. A kind woman who supports the family.
• Izumi (voiced by Sakuma Rei) - Megeru's older sister. She loves fashion and sometimes gets involved in Henbei's adventures.
• Gorita (voiced by Tesshō Genda) - Megeru's friend. He is strong and a powerful ally of Henbei.
• Memosuke (voiced by Ryusei Nakao) - Megeru's friend. He is smart and acts as a wise adviser to Henbei.
• Kanehiko (voiced by Umezu Hideyuki) - Megeru's friend. He has an obsession with money, but he also has a kind heart.
• Katabtsu (voiced by Toshihiko Seki) - Megeru's friend. He is meticulous and often gets thrown around by Henbei's actions.
• Maruko (voiced by Ayako Hori) - Megel's friend. A lively and energetic girl.
• Kawaii (voiced by Keiko Han) - Megeru's friend. She loves fashion and often helps improve Henbei's fashion sense.
• Akane Sensei (voiced by Yumi Takada) - Megel's homeroom teacher. She is kind and loved by her students.
• Principal (voiced by Toshiya Ueda) - The principal of Megel's school. He is strict, but he keeps a warm eye on the growth of his students.

The appeal of the episode

"Parasol Henbei" is a long-running series with 200 episodes, each with a different theme and story. Below are some episodes.

• Episode 1 "Henbei Has Arrived!" (October 2, 1989) - This is the episode where Henbei comes to Megeru. Henbei's parasol power was shown for the first time, and it left a strong impression on viewers.
• Episode 2 "Take Me to School" (October 3, 1989) - An episode in which Megeru goes to school with Henbei. He uses Henbei's parasol to solve school problems.
• Episode 3 "Hello, Jump Rope" (October 4, 1989) - An episode in which Megeru and Henbei try their hand at jump rope. This is a story that teaches the importance of friendship and cooperation.
• Episode 4 "Home Visit Chaos" (October 5, 1989) - Henbei plays a major role on home visit day. This episode deepens the bond between Megeru and his family.
• Episode 5 "I Hate Rain" (October 6, 1989) - An episode in which Henbei is active on a rainy day. This story deepens understanding of how to enjoy rainy days and nature.

In this way, "Parasol Henbei" depicts Henbei and Megeru in action in a variety of situations, from small everyday occurrences to big adventures. Each episode is independent, so you can enjoy it no matter which story you start with.

Background and production secrets

"Parasol Henbee" is an original anime work based on the original work by Fujiko Fujio A. Fujiko Fujio A is a manga artist who has created many works that give children dreams and hope, and "Parasol Henbee" is one of them. When it was made into an anime, the worldview of the original work was faithfully reproduced, while efforts were made to add the unique charm of a television anime.

Director Masakazu Higuchi created a story that would be easy for children to understand and enjoy. He also paid special attention to character design and background art, striving for visual appeal. As an educational program for NHK, the production staff was conscious of including educational elements in each episode.

Audience reaction and impact

"Parasol Henbee" has been loved by many children since it was first broadcast. In particular, Henbee's adventures using his parasol and the heartwarming episodes with Megeru and his family were very popular. The educational messages in each episode were also well received by viewers.

This work not only gives children dreams and hope, but also teaches the importance of friendship and family ties. Viewers have commented that "Henbei made every day fun" and "I loved the adventures of Megeru and Henbei," and the show has been loved for a long time.

Points that can still be enjoyed today

"Parasol Henbee" is still loved by many people even now, more than 30 years after it was first aired. The reasons for this are as follows:

• Universal themes - The stories depict themes that can be relatable across generations, such as friendship, family ties and an appreciation of nature.
• Characters with a wide range of personalities - The characters, including Henbei, have distinctive personalities that draw the audience in.
• Educational Message - Each episode has an educational message that will inspire kids and adults alike.
• Nostalgia - The atmosphere, music, character designs, etc. from the time of broadcast will make viewers feel nostalgic.

Recommendations and how to watch

"Parasol Henbei" is a work that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. It is especially recommended for parents who want to give their children dreams and hopes, and for adults who want to enjoy nostalgic anime again. It is also suitable for viewers who are looking for an educational message.

As for how to watch it, DVDs and Blu-rays are available for purchase. Some are also available through streaming services, so you can use those too. Furthermore, viewers can share their impressions and exchange information with each other on fan communities and social media.

Conclusion

"Parasol Henbee" is an original anime work based on the original story by Fujiko Fujio A, and has been loved by many children. The unique characters and educational messages contained in each episode are fresh even today, and inspire viewers. Please watch this work and enjoy the adventures of Henbee and Megeru.