Japan Sinks#Anime adaptation
{{Short description|1973 novel written by Sakyo Komatsu}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox book |
| name = Japan Sinks
| title_orig = {{noitalic|{{lang|ja|日本沈没}}}}
| translator = Michael Gallagher
| image = File:Japan sinks novel.jpg
| caption = First English edition (Harper & Row)
| author = Sakyo Komatsu
| illustrator =
| cover_artist =
| country = Japan
| language = Japanese
| series =
| genre = Science fiction thriller
| publisher = Kobunsha
| release_date = 1973
| english_release_date = 1976
| media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
| pages = 224 pp
| isbn = 978-4-7700-2039-0
| oclc= 33045249
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
|name = Japan Sinks: 2020
|image = JapanSinks2020.png
|caption = Promotional poster
|ja_kanji = 日本沈没 2020
|ja_romaji = Nihon chinbotsu ni-zero-ni-zero
|genre = Science fiction, drama{{cite web|url=https://www.theouterhaven.net/2020/09/japan-sinks-2020-series-review-when-theres-nowhere-to-run/|title=Japan Sinks: 2020 Series Review: When There's Nowhere To Run|author=James Devlahovich|publisher=The Outerhaven|date=18 September 2020|access-date=17 October 2021|archive-date=17 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017122542/https://www.theouterhaven.net/2020/09/japan-sinks-2020-series-review-when-theres-nowhere-to-run/|url-status=live}}
}}
{{nihongo|Japan Sinks|日本沈没|Nippon Chinbotsu|lead=yes}} is a disaster novel by Japanese writer Sakyo Komatsu, published in 1973.
Overview
Komatsu took nine years to complete the work. It was published in two volumes, both released at the same time. The novel received the 27th Mystery Writers of Japan Award and the Seiun Award for a Japanese novel-length work. The English translation was first published in 1975. In 1995, after the Osaka-Kobe earthquake, a second English edition ({{ISBN|4-7700-2039-2}}) was published. The English translation is abridged {{citation needed|date=September 2021}}. In 2006, a sequel to the novel, co-authored with Kōshū Tani, was published.
The novel has led to works in other media as well as a sequel: a film based on the novel made in the same year directed by Shirō Moritani, a manga adaptation written by Takao Saito and published in Weekly Shōnen Champion in 1973–74, a television drama by TBS and Toho broadcast in 1974–75, a film remake in 2006 by Shinji Higuchi, a parody created in 2011 that features reverse disaster, an original net anime series released on Netflix by Science Saru in July 2020, and a reboot drama, Japan Sinks: People of Hope, broadcast in October 2021 on TBS.
=Geophysical background=
{{Further|Plate tectonics}}
Japan is on a destructive plate boundary, where the Philippine Sea Plate subducts the Eurasian Plate. It is a triple junction and three subduction zones are involved. After the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, towns like Ishinomaki subsided.
=Political background=
This novel is now seen as an important look into the cultural context of 1970s Japan, particularly due to its level of popularity.Susan Napier: "Panic Sites: The Japanese Imagination of Disaster from Godzilla to Akira", in Journal of Japanese Studies, vol. 19, no. 2 (1993).
Anime adaptation
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = ONA
| director = Masaaki Yuasa {{small|({{abbr|chief|Chief director}})}}
Ho Pyeon-gang {{small|({{abbr|series|Series director}})}}
| writer = Toshio Yoshitaka
| music = Kensuke Ushio
| studio = Science SARU
| licensee = Netflix
| released = July 9, 2020
| runtime = 25–32 minutes
| last = present
| episodes = 10
| episode_list = #Episode list
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
An original net animation (ONA) series adaptation of the novel was announced on October 9, 2019. The series, titled Japan Sinks: 2020, was animated by Science Saru, with Ho Pyeon-gang and Masaaki Yuasa served as directors. Toshio Yoshitaka handled series composition, Naoya Wada designed the characters, and Kensuke Ushio composed the series' music. Yuko Sasaki, Reina Ueda and Tomo Muranaka are credited with starring roles. It was released worldwide by Netflix on July 9, 2020.{{Citation|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-05-28/masaaki-yuasa-japan-sinks-2020-anime-reveals-trailer-more-cast-july-9-premiere/.160033|title=Masaaki Yuasa's Japan Sinks: 2020 Anime Reveals Trailer, More Cast, July 9 Premiere|work=Anime News Network|access-date=28 May 2020|archive-date=2020-06-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619174530/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-05-28/masaaki-yuasa-japan-sinks-2020-anime-reveals-trailer-more-cast-july-9-premiere/.160033|url-status=live}} A film compilation version of the series was subsequently released in Japanese theaters on November 13, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-08-20/masaaki-yuasa-japan-sinks-2020-anime-gets-compilation-film-in-japan-on-november-13/.163115|title=Masaaki Yuasa's Japan Sinks: 2020 Anime Gets Compilation Film in Japan on November 13|work=Anime News Network|date=August 20, 2020|access-date=January 15, 2021|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|archive-date=January 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119031822/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-08-20/masaaki-yuasa-japan-sinks-2020-anime-gets-compilation-film-in-japan-on-november-13/.163115|url-status=live}}
=Summary=
Shortly after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a major earthquake hits Japan. Amidst the chaos, the Mutou siblings Ayumu (a 14-year-old track and field athlete) and her younger brother Gou (a 7-year-old video game enthusiast) attempt to escape the city with their family and friends. However, the sinking Japanese archipelago complicates their escape. Plunged into extreme conditions, the Mutou siblings believe in the future and acquire the strength to survive with utmost effort.
=Voice cast=
| class="wikitable" |
| Character
! Japanese voice actor ! English dub actor |
|---|
| Ayumu Mutō (武藤 歩) |
| Gō Mutō (武藤 剛)
| Ryan Bartley |
| Kaito / Kite
| Aleks Le |
| Haruo Koga (古賀 春生) |
| Mari Mutō (武藤 マリ)
| Yuko Sasaki |
| Kōichirō Mutō (武藤 航一郎) |
| Osamu Asada (浅田 修) |
| Nanami Miura (三浦 七海) |
| Kanae Murota (室田 叶恵)
| Tomoko Shiota |
| Kunio Hikita (疋田 国夫) |
| Saburō Ōtani (大谷 三郎)
| Taichi Takeda |
| Daniel
| Gensho Tasaka | George Cockle |
=Episode list=
| class="wikitable" style="width:83%; margin:auto; background:#FFF;" |
| style="border-bottom: 3px solid #CCF;"
! style="width:3em;" | No. ! Title ! style="width:15em;" | Original release date |
| {{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1 | Title = The Beginning of the End | TranslitTitle = Owari no hajimari | NativeTitle = オワリノハジマリ （終わりの始まり） | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|7|9}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 2 | Title = Farewell, Tokyo | TranslitTitle = Saraba, Tōkyō | NativeTitle = さらば、東京 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|7|9}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 3 | Title = A New Hope | TranslitTitle = Aratana Kibō | NativeTitle = 新たな希望 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|7|9}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 4 | Title = An Open Door | TranslitTitle = Aita Doa | NativeTitle = 開いたドア | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|7|9}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 5 | Title = Illusion | TranslitTitle = Iryūjon | NativeTitle = イリュージョン | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|7|9}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 6 | Title = An Oracle | TranslitTitle = Orakuru | NativeTitle = オラクル | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|7|9}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 7 | Title = The Dawn | TranslitTitle = Yoake | NativeTitle = 夜明け | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|7|9}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 8 | Title = Mom's Secret | TranslitTitle = Mama no Himitsu | NativeTitle = ママの秘密 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|7|9}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 9 | Title = Japan Sinks | TranslitTitle = Japanshinku | NativeTitle = ジャパンシンク | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|7|9}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 10 | Title = Resurrection | TranslitTitle = Fukkatsu | NativeTitle = 復活 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|7|9}} }} |
=Reception=
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 72% approval rating based on 18 reviews, with an average rating of 6.54/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Japan Sinks: 2020{{`}}s swell of tension and frenetic pace leave little room to breathe, but bursts of hope and interesting insights into humanity may help brave viewers weather its apocalyptic story."{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/japan_sinks_2020/s01|title=Japan Sinks: 2020 (2020)|work=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango Media|access-date=January 15, 2021|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819201027/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/japan_sinks_2020/s01|url-status=live}} The series attracted criticism within Japan for its condemnation of Japanese nationalism,{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/japan-sinks-is-grim-but-relevant-1844361534|title=Japan Sinks Is Grim But Relevant|work=Kotaku|date=July 13, 2020|access-date=June 19, 2021|last=Ashcraft|first=Brian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118161708/https://kotaku.com/japan-sinks-is-grim-but-relevant-1844361534|archive-date=November 18, 2020|url-status=live}} but also received positive attention in the West for its multiculturalism and inclusiveness,{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2020/07/03/films/japan-sinks-netflix-eunyoung-choi/|title=Japan Sinks: 2020: When disaster strikes, keep your family close|work=The Japan Times|language=en|date=July 3, 2020|access-date=June 19, 2021|last=Schley|first=Matt|archive-date=February 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216071954/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2020/07/03/films/japan-sinks-netflix-eunyoung-choi/|url-status=live}} and was named as one of the best anime series of 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2020-12-31/the-best-anime-of-2020/caitlin-lynzee-and-the-best-songs/.167715|title=The Best Anime of 2020 – Caitlin, Lynzee, & The Best Songs|work=Anime News Network|date=December 31, 2020|access-date=June 19, 2021|last1=Moore|first1=Caitlin|last2=Loveridge|first2=Lynzee|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126153216/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2020-12-31/the-best-anime-of-2020/caitlin-lynzee-and-the-best-songs/.167715|archive-date=January 26, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/japan-sinks-2020-review-netflix/|title=Japan Sinks: 2020 Review|work=Den of Geek|language=en|date=July 9, 2020|access-date=June 19, 2021|last=Kurland|first=Daniel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117153740/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/japan-sinks-2020-review-netflix/|archive-date=January 17, 2021|url-status=live}}
The first episode of Japan Sinks: 2020 was awarded the 2021 Annecy Jury Prize for a Television Series,{{Cite web|url=https://www.annecy.org/le-festival/palmares/fiche-film-palmares:film-20212708|title=2021 Winning Selection, Television {{!}} Japan Sinks: 2020: "The Beginning of the End"|work=Annecy International Animated Film Festival|language=French|access-date=June 19, 2021|archive-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928181553/https://www.annecy.org/le-festival/palmares/fiche-film-palmares:film-20212708|url-status=live}} and the series as a whole received two nominations at the 2021 Crunchyroll Anime Awards.{{cite web|last=Loveridge|first=Lynzee|title=Crunchyroll Announces Nominees for 5th Annual Anime Awards|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-01-15/crunchyroll-announces-nominees-for-5th-annual-anime-awards/.168413|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 15, 2021|date=January 15, 2021|archive-date=January 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116031119/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-01-15/crunchyroll-announces-nominees-for-5th-annual-anime-awards/.168413|url-status=live}} The compilation film version of the series was awarded a Jury Selection Prize at the 2021 Japan Media Arts Festival.{{Cite web|url=https://j-mediaarts.jp/en/award/animation/|title=Animation Division {{!}} 2021 [24th]|work=Japan Media Arts Festival|language=en|access-date=June 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312085655/https://j-mediaarts.jp/en/award/animation/|archive-date=March 12, 2021|url-status=live}}
Parodies
A parody short story by Yasutaka Tsutsui, titled Nihon Igai Zenbu Chinbotsu (The Whole World Sinks Except Japan) was also released in 1973, and adapted into a film of the same name in 2006.
A parody visual novel by Yonago Gainax, titled Nihon Chinbotsu Desu Yo, is scheduled to be released in 2025.{{cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/10/princess-maker-creator-takami-akai-announces-japan-sinks-visual-novel-nihon-chinbotsu-desu-yo-for-switch-pc|title=Princess Maker creator Takami Akai announces Japan Sinks visual novel Nihon Chinbotsu Desu Yo for Switch, PC|website=Gematsu|date=October 21, 2024|access-date=October 21, 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|https://www.netflix.com/title/80993018}} (anime) at Netflix
- {{anime News Network|anime|23133|Japan Sinks: 2020}}
- [http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/nippon_chinbotsu Entry] in The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction
{{Masaaki Yuasa}}
{{Science Saru}}
{{Netflix original ended series (2019–present)}}
{{Netflix original animated series and films}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:20th-century Japanese novels
Category:1973 science fiction novels
Category:Japanese science fiction novels
Category:Techno-thriller novels
Category:Japanese-language television shows
Category:Novels about natural disasters
Category:Works about earthquakes
Category:Japanese novels adapted into films
Category:Science fiction novels adapted into films
Category:Japanese novels adapted into television shows
Category:Novels by Sakyo Komatsu