Thomas Malory
Description
The name Thomas Malory associated with anime and manga works refers not to a Japanese creator but to the English writer Sir Thomas Malory, who lived from approximately 1405 to 1471. This historical figure is the author or compiler of the seminal Arthurian literary work Le Morte d Arthur, a collection of stories about King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, and the quest for the Holy Grail. It is this medieval text that serves as the foundational source material for the anime productions for which he is credited.
In the context of Japanese animation, Thomas Malory is credited as the original creator for two related television series produced by Toei Animation. The first is Entaku no Kishi Monogatari: Moero Arthur, a 30-episode series that aired from September 1979 to March 1980. This was followed by a sequel, Moero Arthur: Hakuba no Ouji, which consists of 22 episodes and broadcast from April to September 1980. In the official credits for these productions, Malory is listed under the role of Original Work, acknowledging that the anime are adaptations of the Arthurian legends as compiled in his 15th-century literary work.
The adaptation history of these two series is closely tied to the studio Toei Animation, which produced both shows. Entaku no Kishi Monogatari: Moero Arthur, also known as King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, follows the traditional story of the young Arthur pulling the sword Excalibur from the stone and his subsequent battle against the villainous King Lavik and the witch Medessa. Its sequel, Moero Arthur: Hakuba no Ouji, or Prince on a White Horse, shifts the narrative to Arthur embarking on a journey under a disguised identity to find the King of the North, accompanied by a new set of companions. The credits for individual episodes list various scriptwriters, directors, and animators, confirming that Malory's involvement was at the source material level rather than in the direct production of the anime.
The recurring themes across these works stem directly from Malory's literary legacy, primarily the Arthurian legend. The anime explore classic elements such as the rightful king, the quest for justice, the struggle against tyranny, the importance of knightly fellowship, and the presence of magical forces like the wizard Merlin and the sword Excalibur. The artistic identity of these productions is therefore built upon the adaptation of these established Western legends into the format of a Japanese animated series from the late 1970s, complete with the stylistic and storytelling conventions of that era.
The industry significance of Thomas Malory in this context lies in his role as a source of inspiration for early anime that drew upon Western literature and mythology. His work provided the foundational narrative for these two productions, demonstrating the cross-cultural exchange that has been a part of the anime industry since its early decades. While not a creator who worked within the Japanese animation industry, his literary work serves as the originating point for these notable titles.
In the context of Japanese animation, Thomas Malory is credited as the original creator for two related television series produced by Toei Animation. The first is Entaku no Kishi Monogatari: Moero Arthur, a 30-episode series that aired from September 1979 to March 1980. This was followed by a sequel, Moero Arthur: Hakuba no Ouji, which consists of 22 episodes and broadcast from April to September 1980. In the official credits for these productions, Malory is listed under the role of Original Work, acknowledging that the anime are adaptations of the Arthurian legends as compiled in his 15th-century literary work.
The adaptation history of these two series is closely tied to the studio Toei Animation, which produced both shows. Entaku no Kishi Monogatari: Moero Arthur, also known as King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, follows the traditional story of the young Arthur pulling the sword Excalibur from the stone and his subsequent battle against the villainous King Lavik and the witch Medessa. Its sequel, Moero Arthur: Hakuba no Ouji, or Prince on a White Horse, shifts the narrative to Arthur embarking on a journey under a disguised identity to find the King of the North, accompanied by a new set of companions. The credits for individual episodes list various scriptwriters, directors, and animators, confirming that Malory's involvement was at the source material level rather than in the direct production of the anime.
The recurring themes across these works stem directly from Malory's literary legacy, primarily the Arthurian legend. The anime explore classic elements such as the rightful king, the quest for justice, the struggle against tyranny, the importance of knightly fellowship, and the presence of magical forces like the wizard Merlin and the sword Excalibur. The artistic identity of these productions is therefore built upon the adaptation of these established Western legends into the format of a Japanese animated series from the late 1970s, complete with the stylistic and storytelling conventions of that era.
The industry significance of Thomas Malory in this context lies in his role as a source of inspiration for early anime that drew upon Western literature and mythology. His work provided the foundational narrative for these two productions, demonstrating the cross-cultural exchange that has been a part of the anime industry since its early decades. While not a creator who worked within the Japanese animation industry, his literary work serves as the originating point for these notable titles.
Works
- Topics: Anime overview
- Topics: Anime overview