1997 was a turning point in the anime world.
The recent announcement of revival screenings of “Princess Mononoke” and “Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion” has anime fans buzzing with excitement, calling it a “1997 all over again!” The release of these two films marked a significant turning point for the anime industry. Do you remember that turbulent year, which saw the end of a long-running series and the birth of a new work?
Looking back at the works that ended in 1997, the “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon” series, which sparked a social phenomenon, and the “World Masterpiece Theater” series, which continued from “A Dog of Flanders,” also known as “Tuesday Sazae-san” or “Manga Masterpiece Theater Sazae-san,” also came to an end after a long history. Among these, “World Masterpiece Theater” and “Tuesday Sazae-san” were long-running series that ran for 22 years, so many felt the end of an era. Meanwhile, influenced by “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” which aired until 1996, anime fans at the time were seeking something new and stimulating. It was a time when otaku were searching for a work that could be called a “post-Evangelion” series.
The first to meet these expectations was “Revolutionary Girl Utena,” which began airing in April 1997. Originally conceived and directed by Kunihiko Ikuhara, a key staff member of the “Sailor Moon” series, this work garnered attention for its unique style, featuring beautiful women cross-dressing and underground theater elements. Combined with its enigmatic worldview and thought-provoking dialogue, it captured the hearts of those seeking a “post-Evangelion” experience.
Furthermore, 1997 also saw the emergence of a “supernova” in the world of children’s anime: the anime “Pokémon,” which began airing on April 1st. The Game Boy software “Pokémon Red and Green,” the origin of this series, was released in February 1996 and sent shockwaves through the gaming industry. Riding on its popularity, the TV anime adaptation quickly garnered attention and eventually grew into a nationally beloved anime series that has continued for over 25 years.
However, it also left a negative impact that shook the entire industry. In December of the same year, some children who watched the series suffered from photosensitive seizures, a phenomenon known as the “Pokémon Shock” or “Polygon Shock.” This incident prompted the introduction of a caption at the beginning of TV programs stating, “Please keep the room well-lit and watch from a distance when watching TV.”
Furthermore, 1997 also saw significant changes in TV Asahi’s Sunday morning programming. While it may seem surprising to current viewers, the 8:30 a.m. time slot, where the “Pretty Cure” series currently airs, was primarily dedicated to shows targeted at teenagers, such as “Marmalade Boy” and “Neighborhood Story.” However, in September 1997, “Crayon Kingdom of Dreams” began airing as a successor to “Boys Over Flowers.” Unlike previous teen-oriented series, this was an anime aimed at girls, based on children’s literature.
This was followed by other series like “Ojamajo Doremi,” “Tomorrow’s Nadja,” and “Futari wa Pretty Cure,” and the time slot shifted to a time slot geared toward girls. And as works that symbolize the turbulent year of 1997, “Princess Mononoke” and “Neon Genesis Evangelion: 1.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time” are undoubtedly essential. “Princess Mononoke” was a massive hit, grossing 19.3 billion yen at the box office, and “Neon Genesis Evangelion: 1.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time” left a strong impression on anime fans of the time in many ways. You can relive the excitement of those days by taking advantage of the revival screenings starting Friday, October 24th.