This is our 1960’s installment to our Throwback Thursday drop down menu. Just like the decades after it, the 60’s Anime of the Week page will operate right before the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s on a rotating schedule! On this page we review anime titles from the 1960’s during a time where anime was actually known as ‘Japanimation’! 🙂

Our 60’s Anime of the Week is…Shonen Ninja Kaze no Fujimaru (1964)

Toei Animation has been around for quite a long time; sixty years to be exact. This of course is one of their 1960’s classic anime titles known as Samurai Boy (aka Shonen Ninja Kaze no Fujimaru). The story is about a boy named Fujimaru, who trains to become a samurai after being saved from an eagle by a samurai named Sasuke. As he grows older he becomes a skilled samurai who knows how to control the wind through the use of Ninjutsu.

He uses the skills; ‘multiplication’ and ‘leaves’ in order to battle against Japusai, who is looking for the book known as the Ryuen Book, a parchment that contains some of the most powerful ninjutsu techniques ever created. Fujimaru’s ultimate goal is to not only find his missing mother, but find the Ryuen Book before Japusai can even get his paws on it. This classic title is just one of the many titles from Toei Animation throughout their sixty year history, so if you want to experience how Shonen anime was back then, then this is one title you should definitely check out! 🙂

Our 60’s Anime of the Week is…Marine Boy (1965)

This classic 60’s title was the first ever dubbed title to be shown in color. The story is about a boy who has gone through a transformation regarding some sophisticated inventions, and has now become part of a policing patrol that has been created to protect the seas of the earth. The setting of the series itself is set in the future where the advancements of mankind have taken fold under the sea; such as underwater communities, ranching areas, and other great facilities. (Including the lost city of Atlantis, ha! Just kidding, but you never know right?) If you’re looking for a throwback title that deals with marine life and science fiction, then Marine Boy might be the title you’ve been looking for! 🙂

Rating: 4.6 / 5 Stars

Our 60’s Anime of the Week title is…Kamui the Ninja (1969)

If you’re an anime fan who happens to be in his/her late 40’s or mid 50’s, then you might be familiar with this classic 60’s title produced by Tele-Cartoon Japan. Kamui as a ninja from Edo-period Japan who decided to defect from his clan, now his former clan members want him dead because of the choice that he made. During this manhunt he suffers from paranoia; which has caused him to believe that everyone was out to get him, and that made people who approach him feel very uncomfortable around him. If you’re looking for a good paranoia story set in one of the most popular periods in Japanese history, then Kamui the Ninja might be the title for you! 🙂

Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars

Our 60’s Anime of the Week title is…Speed Racer (1967)

Long before D&A and long before our time (both A. Goldman and Yours Truly), this classic late 60’s title is marked as one of the pioneer racing titles in anime history. Not only that but a large number of fans, both young and old, know the theme song and lyrics by heart. “Go Speed Racer! Go Speed Racer! Go Speed Racer, GO!!” (Well, we know that part of it! *chuckles*)

Anyway, the story is about a young 18-year-old boy named Go Mifune (aka Speed Racer) who becomes a race car driver, and has a loving and supporting family. Though he faces many adversities (from villains) he always gives it his best shot both on and off the track; plus his brother’s there to give him moral support from “the shadows”. Many spin-offs as well as a 1993 live action film have come off of this wonderful franchise, so if you want to go back to how Speed Racer came to be the most amazing anime racing title it is, then check it out on YouTube or purchase it on Blu-Ray (if you can find it)! 😉

Rating: 5 / 5 Stars