The Little Mermaid (1975)
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Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid (アンデルセン童話 にんぎょ姫, Anderusen Dōwa: Ningyo-hime, lit. 'Andersen's Fairy Tales: Princess Mermaid') is a Japanese anime film based on Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 fairy tale, released in 1975 by Toei Animation. Unlike the Disney adaptation released 14 years later, this film is closer to Andersen's story, notably in its preservation of the original and tragic ending. The two main protagonists are the youngest daughter of the royal family, Marina, and her best friend Fritz, an Atlantic dolphin calf. In Japan, this film was shown in the Toei Manga Matsuri (Toei Cartoon Festival) in 1975.
Plot
A mermaid falls in love with a human prince, which leads to tragedy. The story of a beautiful mermaid who gave up a kingdom for her beloved prince.
Why It's a Mermaid Who Comes of Age
- It is faithful to the original book.
- The character designs look beautiful.
- Excellent voice acting.
- Great writing.
- Likable and cute characters.
- Marina's friendship with Fritz is cute.
- Speaking of the chemistry, Marina and Fjord's chemistry is also cute.
- Amazing animation.
- The ending is heartbreaking.
Bad Qualities
- Marina can be impulsive and reckless at times.
- Marina is topless as a mermaid. While her breasts are mostly obscured by her long hair, there are some shots where they're uncovered, which can be inappropriate for kids watching.
Reception
The Little Mermaid currently holds a 82% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, certified fresh. On IMDB, it has a general score of 7.3/10. On Letterboxd it has a general rating of 3.4/5.
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