GeGeGe no Kitarō (1968)

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GeGeGe no Kitarō
Information
Genre	Horror, Yōkai, Action, Shonen
Writers	Masaki Tsuji Susumu Takaku Shunichi Yukimuro others
Music	Taku Izumi
Animation studio	Toei Animation
Production	Toei Animation
Broadcaster	Fuji TV
Broadcast period	January 3, 1968~March 30, 1969
Episodes	65

The first GeGeGe no Kitarō anime was aired from January 3, 1968 to March 30, 1969. It ran for 65 episodes and is the only anime to be produced in black & white. Like all of the subsequent Kitarō anime, it was produced by Toei Animation and aired on Fuji Television.

About

Aside from toning down darker elements and some social commentary, every episode is a quite faithful adaptation of the original manga. Most episode focused on stories about Kitarō aiding humans in need of his skills or thwarting the plans of evil Yōkai who threaten to torment humanity. Kitarō's personality was also made more friendly and likable. The anime was so popular that Kitarō became a popular children's hero and it created the Yōkai boom of the 1970s.

The music was written and composed by Taku Izumi, who would go on to major songwriter in the world of Japanese music. He also wrote the music to the opening and ending theme songs, which were often used as background music in the show (as well as the following 1971 anime). Furthermore, voice actors Kazuo Kumakura and Midori Katō were brought in to perform the theme songs thanks to Izumi, Kumakura due to their personal friendship and Katō because she performed many of the commercial jingles he wrote at the time. The theme song record sold over 300,000 copies.。

The role of Kitarō was performed by Masako Nozawa. It was her first starring role, and she would go on to become one of the biggest names in Japanese voice acting. Each episode featured a different preview narrator and displayed the episode titles in a different font style, a trait shared only with the 1971 anime.

This anime also started the idea of Kitarō's allies coming to GeGeGe Forest to meet with him as well as the idea of the Kitarō Family.

Because the series was black and white it has rarely been rebroadcasted despite it's popularity, although it did get a rebroadcast in the 1980s.

Theme Songs

Opening

1. GeGeGe no Kitarō - Kazuo Kumakura

Endings

1. Karan Koron no Uta - Midori Katō
2. Kitarō Nai Nai Ondo - Kazuo Kumakura (Ep. 27, 28, 31, 32)
3. Kitarō Olympic - Kazuo Kumakura (Ep. 41~42)

Episodes

#

Title

Original airdate

Written by

Directed by

Animation director

Yōkai

01	Obake Nighter Obake Naitaa (おばけナイター)	1968-01-03	Masaki Tsuji	Yasuo Yamaguchi	Hiroshi Wagatsuma	Yōkai Baseball Team

02	Yasha Yasha (夜叉)	1968-01-10	Susumu Takaku	Yoshio Kuroda	Teruo Hosoda	Yasha

03	Yōkai Castle Yōkai-jō (妖怪城)	1968-01-17	Motonari Wakai	Tokushige Shirane	Michimasa Ochiai	Tantanbō Kamaitachi Futakuchi-Onna

04	Vampire La Seine Kyūketsuki Ra・Seenu (吸血鬼ラ・セーヌ)	1968-01-24	Shunichi Yukimuro	Yoshio Takami	Shinya Takahashi	La Seine

05	Dai Kaijū (Part 1) Dai-Kaijū (Zenpen) (大海獣(前編))	1968-01-31	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Dai-Kaijū

06	Dai-Kaijū (Part 2) Dai-Kaijū (Kōhen) (大海獣(後編))	1968-02-07	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Dai-Kaijū

07	Ghost Train Yūrei Densha (ゆうれい電車)	1968-02-14	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}

08	Kagami-Jijii Kagami-Jijii (鏡爺)	1968-02-21	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Kagami-Jijii

09	Miage-Nyūdō Miage-Nyūdō (見上げ入道)	1968-02-28	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Miage-Nyūdō

10	The Great Yōkai War (Part 1) Yōkai Dai-Sensō (Zenpen) (妖怪大戦争(前編))	1968-03-06	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Western Yōkai Army

11	The Great Yōkai War (Part 2) Yōkai Dai-Sensō (Kōhen) (妖怪大戦争(後編))	1968-03-13	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Western Yōkai Army

12	Yōkai Nurarihyon Yōkai Nurarihyon (妖怪ぬらりひょん)	1968-03-20	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Nurarihyon Jakotsu-Babaa

13	The Cruise to Hell Jigoku Nagashi (地獄流し)	1968-03-27	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}

14	Suiko Suiko (水虎)	1968-04-07	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Suiko

15	Vampire Elite (Part 1) Kyūketsuki Eriito (Zenpen) (吸血鬼エリート （前編))	1968-04-14	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Vampire Elite

16	Vampire Elite (Part 2) Kyūketsuki Eriito (Kōhen) (吸血鬼エリート （後編))	1968-04-21	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Vampire Elite

17	Neko-Sennin Neko-Sennin (ネコ仙人)	1968-04-28	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Neko-Sennin

18	The Witch's Doll Majō Ningyō (魔女人形)	1968-05-05	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Witch

19	Vampire Tree Kyūketsu-ki (吸血木)	1968-05-12	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Nobiagari

20	Nezumi-Otoko and Neko-Musume Neko-Musume to Nezumi-Otoko (猫娘とねずみ男)	1968-05-19	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Neko-Musume Amefuri-Kozō Enma-Daiō

21	Yō-Kaijū (Part 1) Yō-Kaijū (Zenhen) (妖怪獣 （前編))	1968-05-26	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	808 Tanuki Kōryū Ōnamazu

22	Yō-Kaijū (Part 2) Yō-Kaijū (Kōhen) (妖怪獣 （後編))	1968-06-02	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	808 Tanuki Kōryū Ōnamazu

23	Yōkai of the Mountain Pass Tōge no Yōkai (峠の妖怪)	1968-06-09	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Buru-Buru

24	Hakusanbō Hakusanbō (白山坊)	1968-06-16	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Hakusanbō

25	Electric Yōkai Denki Yōkai (電気妖怪)	1968-06-23	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Kaminari

26	Umizatō Umizatō (海座頭)	1968-06-30	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Umizatō Funa-Yūrei

27	Odoro-Odoro Odoro-Odoro (おどろおどろ)	1968-07-07	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Odoro-Odoro

28	Makura-Gaeshi Makura-Gaeshi (まくら返し)	1968-07-14	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Makura-Gaeshi

29	Mirror Battle Kagami Gassen (鏡合戦)	1968-07-21	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Ungaikyō

30	Akuma Belial Akuma Beriaru (悪魔ベリアル)	1968-07-28	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Belial Kurama Karasu-Tengu

31	Mōryō Mōryō (もうりょう)	1968-08-04	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Mōryō

32	Yōka Yōka (妖花)	1968-08-11	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Yōka

33	Sazae-Oni Sazae-Oni (さざえ鬼)	1968-08-18	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Sazae-Oni Mermaid

34	Sara-Kozō Sara-Kozō (さら小僧)	1968-08-25	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Sara-Kozō

35	Top Yōkai Koma Yōkai (こま妖怪)	1968-09-01	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Amamehagi

36	Diamond Yōkai Daiyamondo Yōkai (ダイヤモンド妖怪)	1968-09-08	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Wanyūdō

37	Te-no-Me Te-no-Me (手の目)	1968-09-15	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Te-no-Me

38	Oritatami-Nyūdō Oritatami-Nyūdō (おりたたみ入道)	1968-09-22	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Oritatami-Nyūdō Mujina

39	Yōkai Army Yōkai Gundan (妖怪軍団)	1968-09-29	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Akamata Yashi-Otoshi

40	Yōkai of Obebe Swamp Obebe-numa no Yokai (おベベ沼の妖怪)	1968-10-06	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Kawauso

41	Bake-Neko Bake-Neko (ばけ猫)	1968-10-13	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Bake-Neko

42	Man-Eating Island Hitokuijima (人食い島)	1968-10-20	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Hitokuijima

43	Hiderigami Hiderigami (ひでりがみ)	1968-10-27	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Hiderigami Nozuchi

44	Geta Battle Geta Gassen (げた合戦)	1968-11-03	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Maruge Sakabashira

45	Nopperabō Nopperabō (のっぺらぼう)	1968-11-10	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Nopperabō

46	Ubume Ubume (うぶめ)	1968-11-17	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Ubume

47	Ama-no-Jaku Ama-no-Jaku (天邪鬼)	1968-11-24	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Ama-no-Jaku

48	Yukinko Yukinko (雪ん子)	1968-12-01	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Yukinko Yuki-Onna Yuki-Otoko

49	Tenko Tenko (天狐)	1968-12-08	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Tenko

50	Yōkai Sekigahara Yōkai Sekigahara (妖怪関ケ原)	1968-12-15	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Jami Gama-Sennin

51	Anagura-Nyūdō Anagura-Nyūdō (穴ぐら入道)	1968-12-22	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Anagura-Nyūdō

52	Vampire Yōkai Gang Kyūketsu Yōkai-dan (吸血妖怪団)	1968-12-29	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Kyūketsujū Dracula Langsuyar Asanbosam Shina-Yasha

53	Yōkai President Yōkai Daitōryō (妖怪大統領)	1969-01-05	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Kōmori-Neko Datsui-Babaa

54	Yōkai Rally Yōkai Rarī (妖怪ラリー)	1969-01-12	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}

55	Yōkai Keukegen Yōkai Keukegen (妖怪毛羽毛現)	1969-01-19	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Keukegen

56	Iso-Onna Iso-Onna (磯女)	1969-01-26	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Iso-Onna

57	Invisibility Magic Ongyō Mahō (隠形魔法)	1969-02-02	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Nupperabō

58	Oboro-Guruma Oboro-Guruma (おぼろぐるま)	1969-02-09	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Guwagoze Oboro-Guruma

59	Daruma Daruma (だるま)	1969-02-16	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Daruma

60	Kasa-Jizō Kasa-Jizō (笠地蔵)	1969-02-23	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Zashiki-Warashi

61	Ushirogami Ushirogami (後神)	1969-03-02	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Ushirogami Yōkai Cactus

62	Umi-Jijii Umi-Jijii (海じじい)	1969-03-09	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Umi-Jijii

63	Namahage Namahage (なまはげ)	1969-03-16	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Namahage

64	Inmoraki Inmoraki (陰摩羅鬼)	1969-03-23	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Inmoraki

65	Yōkai Hōkō Yōkai Hōkō (妖怪ほうこう)	1969-03-30	{{{6}}}	{{{7}}}	{{{8}}}	Hōkō

Cast

Main Cast
Masako Nozawa as Kitarō	Isamu Tanonaka as Medama-Oyaji	Chikao Ōtsuka as Nezumi-Otoko

Recurring Cast
Yōko Ogushi as Sunakake-Babaa	Ichirō Nagai as Konaki-Jijii

Guest Cast

Yukari Asai Michiko Asō - Iso-Onna Miyoko Asō - Jakotsu-Babaa, Datsue-Babaa Sachiko Chijimatsu - Tomiko, Ōkuchi-Onna and others Sanji Hase Osamu Ichikawa Masao Imanishi - Mōryō, Mammoth-Otoko and others Tatsuyuki Jinnai Midori Katō Reiko Katsura Shūichi Kazamatsuri Yonehiko Kitagawa Kiyoshi Komiyama - Shūichi Yamada Yatoe Matsuda Takeshi Minami Katsue Miwa - Caroline Seishichi Mukai Keiichi Noda - Silk Hat Tanuki and others Noriko Ohara - Yuki-Onna and others Toshiya Ogata - Tantanbō, Miage-Nyūdō and others

Hiroshi Ōtake Ryūji Saikachi - Nurarihyon Yōko Satō Fuyumi Shiraishi - Yukinko Sumiko Shirakawa Kōsaku Sugiura - Tsurube-Bi, Vampire Elite and others Kazuko Sugiyama - Kaori Oyama and others Kazue Takahashi - Ubume, Guwagoze and others Kōsei Tomita Akiko Tsuboi Nobuyo Tsuda Kenji Utsumi Yoshiaki Wakao - Kajiba Dorobo Kōji Yada Kiyoko Yajima Nana Yamaguchi Keiko Yamamoto Sōsuke Yamazaki Jōji Yanami Tsuyako Yuki - Rokuro-Kubi, Nopperabō

Movies

• Gegege no Kitarō - Released July 12, 1968. A retelling of episodes #5 & 6 (Daikaijū).