The 1970s conveyed the rise of “guts” anime and dramas, starting with sports-themed works, but it is this series, Doronjo Gaeru, that introduced the “guts” concept to gag manga. It features a frog that spoke human language, displaying human-like grit to overcome adversity and inspire those around him—a strange concept where it is not humans achieving things through sheer willpower.
00:20The 1970s was a time when sports-themed anime and dramas were all the rage, but this work, Locon Joe Girl, was the first comedy manga to feature a gutsy theme.
00:36It was a strange story about how, rather than humans accomplishing things through sheer willpower, a frog that could speak human language was able to overcome adversity and inspire those around it by using human-like willpower.
00:52Now, let's take a look at this work.
00:55The original author of Locon Joe Girl was Yasumi Yoshizawa, and the manga version was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1970 to 1976, while the anime version aired for a total of 206 episodes from 1972 to 1974.
01:18A sequel, the anime series Shin Lokonjo Girl, aired for a total of 60 episodes from 1981 to 1982.
01:32In addition, a live-action version was aired on television in 2015.
01:38The story begins when Hiroshi falls over during a fight and a frog named Pyon-kichi gets stuck on his shirt.
01:48Afterwards, for some reason, Pyonkichi becomes able to speak human language and begins living with Hiroshi while still attached to his T-shirt.
01:59And with her carefree character, she blends in with the people around Hiroshi without any problems, and grows up alongside him while experiencing many laughs and tears.
02:11Now, let me explain about the main characters, Hiroshi and Pyonkichi.
02:16First, there's Hiroshi. His main job is Kaizuka Hiroshi, and he lives in a single-parent household in downtown Tokyo.
02:26At school, he is not good at studying, and is often made to stand in the hallway for falling asleep in class, playing pranks, and being late.
02:35On the other hand, he is good at fighting and is not inferior to the leader of the gang, Gorilla Imo, but he seems to be no match for his mother.
02:46In addition, he is in awe of his reliable girlfriend, Kyoko.
02:51A distinctive feature of his appearance is that he always wears large sunglasses that he received from a childhood friend.
03:00He usually wears Pyonkichi's shirts except when he is sleeping or doing the laundry, but because he and Pyonkichi often fight, he wears a running shirt or a sweater at those times.
03:13Basically, he is a kind-hearted man from the downtown area, and he cannot help but stand by when others are in trouble.
03:22Also, since Pyonkichi got stuck to Hiroshi's shirt, he has been spending time at Hiroshi's house, and Hiroshi's mother treats him like her own child.
03:34He has a lot in common with Hiroshi, being stubborn and as compassionate as Oi.
03:39When faced with difficulties, he shouts "Dokonjo!" and jumps up and down, pulling Hiroshi around with his shirt.
03:49However, there are some things I don't like. Like ordinary frogs, I hate snakes and get scared just by seeing them.
03:56As a weapon, they use their mouths, which are the only thing they can use freely, to bite, but this is done with great force, and in fights they will bite their opponents and pull them down.
04:11He also uses his mouth skillfully to draw pictures and write letters, and has even taken tests in place of Hiroshi.
04:18However, I am fed by Hiroshi and his mother.
04:25His girlfriend is Maria, a stray cat who lives nearby.
04:30His special skill, like a frog, is predicting the weather, and his accuracy is at a professional level.
04:37The characters surrounding this odd couple include Hiroshi's mother, who works as a tailor and raises Hiroshi and Pyonkichi on her own despite living in poverty.
04:53She is a strict mother, but also kind and cheerful, and although she looks old, she is actually only 34 years old.
05:01And then there's Hiroshi's girlfriend, Kyoko Yoshizawa, nicknamed Kyoko-chan, who he can't stand up to.
05:10Raised in a wealthy family, she has a mischievous and cheerful personality, and is always looking out for Hiroshi and Pyonkichi.
05:19There's also the school leader, Gorilla, Imotaro, commonly known as Gorilla Imo.
05:25His family owns a fish shop, and although he and Hiroshi have a romantic relationship and often bicker, they are also friends who play pranks and fight.
05:38Hiroshi's classical Japanese friend, Goro, also joins in the slapstick comedy along with these other characters.
05:46He calls Hiroshi "senpai" and speaks about himself using "ashi," "deanse," and "deans."
05:53At school, homeroom teacher Minami, teacher Yoshiko, and sushi chef Ume-san cause a commotion with Hiroshi and his friends in the play.
06:06In particular, the love triangle over Yoshiko-sensei often drags the people around them into it.
06:15This is finally the final episode, and it's all about Pyonkichi's hectic birthday celebrations.
06:20Hiroshi goes to a cake shop to buy a cake for Pyonkichi with the money he received from his mother,
06:27While he was wondering which cake to buy, he happened to meet a donation lady who asked him to donate money.
06:36When Hiroshi runs out of money for the cake, he decides to hold a fundraising event to try and get his money back.
06:43We raise money by inviting friends to our homes and by entertaining teachers.
06:49Also, the donation lady from earlier shows up at my house and tries to take the donations I've worked so hard to collect,
06:57When Pyonkichi sees this, he swallows the money if it is not stolen.
07:02In the end, Hiroshi and Pyonkichi's plot is revealed.
07:07We all pooled our money together to buy a cake and hold a birthday party.
07:14But before that happens, the show ends with Gene having to spit out the money Pyonkichi swallowed.
07:25The final episode of this anime version was different from the final episode of the original manga version.
07:33Personally, I think the final episode of the original work feels more like the final episode.
07:39The final episode of the original story ends as follows:
07:44As usual, Ume from Takara Sushi was standing on a ladder in the school building, watching Teacher Yoshiko's lesson, but there was something strange about the atmosphere.
07:53In fact, an acquaintance of the head chef of Takara Sushi was opening a sushi restaurant in Hawaii and needed someone to train local chefs, which is why Ume ended up going to Hawaii.
08:07When Hirose and the others find out about this, they are talking about a local blonde woman, when Yoshiko-sensei overhears them and Ume-san and Yoshiko-sensei end up having a huge argument.
08:19On the day of departure for Hawaii, Yoshiko-sensei tearfully tells Ume-san that she will be waiting for her return from Hawaii.
08:29A year later, Ume, who is working hard in Hawaii, receives a letter from Hirose.
08:35The story ends with Ume-san in tears because the enclosed photo shows her teacher Yoshiko, who is training to become a proprietress at Takara Sushi.
08:46Which ending did you all like better?
08:53Now, let's take a look at the antics of the Japanese giant frog.
08:57Gyokon, flat, pittanko
09:16There are many types of frogs, such as Japanese tree frogs and tree frogs, but there is one in the world called the flat frog, Hopping.
09:33Don't cry "kero, kero, kero, kero."
09:38Konjou, Konjou, Dokonjou, hug, laugh and fight.
09:45I hate this giant frog.
09:49No problem, it's still alive inside the shirt.
09:53Gyokon, flat, pittanko
10:13Gyokon, flat, pittanko
10:17There are many types of frogs, such as warty frogs and green frogs, but there is one flat frog in the world named Pyonkichi who doesn't cry "Waah, waah, waah, waah."
10:35Konjou, Konjou, Dokonjou, biting with chirandan, don't do it, you Dokonjou frog.
10:45Oh no, it's moving around inside the shirt.
11:00Pop, pop, pop
11:04Gyokon, flat, pittanko
11:07There are many kinds of frogs, such as toads and burrowing frogs.
11:15Pyonkichi, the flat frog, is the only one in the world, so please don't cry "Gyao, gyao, gyao."
11:26Konjou, konjou, dokonjou, eat, sleep and wet the bed.
11:33Stop it, you filthy frog.
11:36Where, where, what, what's inside your shirt?
11:41What did you think?
11:56While watching the show, I was always curious about when Pyonkichi, the big eater, would go to the bathroom and how he would prepare his food.
12:07I was also worried about what would happen to Byonkichi if his shirt became too worn out to wear.
12:16In other words, it was a mysterious anime that raised these questions.
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