Childhood Anime Memories

A brief survey indicates that a surprising number of people have vague but powerful memories of anime films from their childhood. If they haven't identified and seen the film, they strongly want to, and if they have, they're really glad.

We could speculate as to why and how this happens, and what it all means. It probably just means that anime makes a big impression on children.

So, who's affected?

Andrzej Roman Cichocki

I remember watching an animated film when I was young and I need to know what it was so I can get a copy and have a nostalgia trip. I don't think it was anime or manga. The opening scene had a vehicle scooting across a landscape from left to right, with the camera looking at it from its right and following. It had a cockpit big enough for two people and a wheel on the end of each of its four stupidly long legs. I think it hit a rock shortly before it crashed into some trees. The occupants might have been a kid and his dad.

Later there was a thick jungle inside which people had some sort of dwelling. A treehouse maybe.

Later still an enormous robot fell out of the sky and landed on its front in some field. There was lots of stuff about these enormous robots with quite small heads towards the end and I think there was a kid involved.

Andrzej, i hope you don't mind me lifting this. -- TA

Not at all. -- ARC

Tom Anderson

For me, it was Laputa Castle In The Sky. I saw it when it was first shown on Channel Four, which might actually have been the first anime ever broadcast on UK TV. All i remembered was giant robots, a glowing blue pendant, kids, and airships! Eventually, through the power of the world wide internet (and Zac Appleton), i found its true name. I haven't actually seen it since, but i feel happy knowing what it is. A DVD release is on its way, apparently.

Sadly, although it does feature kids and giant robots with small heads falling out of the sky (but then, what anime doesn't?), i don't think this is the one Andrzej's after.

People at the Caption Convention

TA ran into a few people at the Caption Convention in 2002 who had the same memories and feelings about Laputa Castle In The Sky.