List of Dr. Slump films explained

Dr. Slump
Ja Kanji:Dr.スランプ
Ja Romaji:Dokutā Suranpu
Genre:Comedy, Fantasy,
Science fiction
Type:film
Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: Hello! Wonder Island
Director:Minoru Okazaki
Music:Shunsuke Kikuchi
Studio:Toei Doga
Released:July 18, 1981
Runtime:25 minutes
Type:film
Dr. Slump: "Hoyoyo!" Space Adventure
Director:Akinori Nagaoka
Music:Shunsuke Kikuchi
Studio:Toei Doga
Released:July 10, 1982
Runtime:90 minutes
Type:film
Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: Hoyoyo! The Great Race Around the World
Director:Minoru Okazaki
Music:Shunsuke Kikuchi
Studio:Toei Doga
Released:March 13, 1983
Runtime:52 minutes
Type:film
Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: Hoyoyo! The Secret of Nanaba Castle
Director:Hiroki Shibata
Music:Shunsuke Kikuchi
Studio:Toei Doga
Released:December 22, 1984
Runtime:48 minutes
Type:film
Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: Hoyoyo! The City of Dreams, Mechapolis
Director:Kazuhisa Takenouchi
Toyoo Ashida
Music:Shunsuke Kikuchi
Studio:Toei Doga
Released:July 13, 1985
Runtime:38 minutes
Type:film
Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: N-cha! Clear Skies Over Penguin Village
Director:Yukio Kaizawa
Music:Shunsuke Kikuchi
Studio:Toei Doga
Released:March 6, 1993
Runtime:40 minutes
Type:film
Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: N-cha! From Penguin Village with Love
Director:Mitsuo Hashimoto
Music:Shunsuke Kikuchi
Studio:Toei Doga
Released:July 10, 1993
Runtime:32 minutes
Type:film
Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: Hoyoyo!! Follow the Rescued Shark...
Director:Mitsuo Hashimoto
Music:Shunsuke Kikuchi
Studio:Toei Doga
Released:March 12, 1994
Runtime:25 minutes
Type:film
Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: N-cha!! Excited Heart of Summer Vacation
Director:Mitsuo Hashimoto
Music:Shunsuke Kikuchi
Studio:Toei Doga
Released:July 9, 1994
Runtime:20 minutes
Type:film
Doctor Slump: Arale's Surprise Burn
Director:Shigeyasu Yamauchi
Music:Dig·It·A·Go
Studio:Toei Animation
Released:March 6, 1999
Runtime:50 minutes
Type:film
Dr. Slump: Dr. Mashirito - Abale-chan
Director:Tatsuya Nagamine
Studio:Toei Animation
Released:March 3, 2007
Runtime:5 minutes

Since the debut of the anime adaptation of Akira Toriyama's Dr. Slump manga series in 1981, Toei Animation (formerly Toei Doga) has produced 11 animated films based on the franchise.

In 2008, all eleven films were released in a remastered DVD box set titled Slump the Box Movies on September 21.[1] On June 12, 2013, Discotek Media announced they acquired the first five Dr. Slump films for release in North America. They released all five in a two-disc DVD box set in Japanese with English subtitles on July 29, 2014.[2]

1980s films

FilmJapan
release date
Directed byWritten byProduced by
Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: HelloWonder IslandMinoru OkazakiToshiki InoueMatsuji Kishimoto
Dr. Slump: "Hoyoyo" Space AdventureAkinori NagaokaToshiki Inoue, Michiru Shimada, Shun'ichi Yukimuro & Tomoko Konparu
Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: HoyoyoThe Great Race Around the WorldMinoru OkazakiToshiki Inoue
Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: HoyoyoThe Secret of Nanaba CastleHiroki ShibataMichiru Shimada & Yoshifumi Yuki
Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: HoyoyoThe City of Dreams, MechapolisKazuhisa Takenouchi & Toyoo AshidaMichiru Shimada & Keiji TeruiChiaki Imada
The first film was produced just three months after the anime started, being shown at the alongside One Hundred and One Dalmatians and Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan. was released on July 18, 1981.[3] It adapts chapters 32 and 33 of the manga, following as Senbei Norimaki travels to Wonder Island in order to acquire an ingredient for a love potion. It was released on VHS on August 14, 1987. An anime comic adaptation was released in March 1995.[4]

entered theaters on July 10, 1982.[5] It follows Senbei and the other main characters as they venture into space to save Midori Yamabuki from being forced to marry the galactic tyrant Mashirito. A novelization written by one of the screenwriters Shun'ichi Yukimuro was released on July 15, 1982.[6] The film was released on VHS on December 15, 1984. An anime comic adaptation was released in April 1995.[7] The anime comics of the first and second films were collected together and released under the Shueisha Jump Remix imprint in December 2006.[8] The soundtrack to the film was released on September 22, 2004 by Columbia Music Entertainment under the title .[9]

was released on March 13, 1983.[10] The main characters and others enter the Around the World Grand Prix, racing to marry a princess or win a hefty monetary prize. It was shown at the Toei Manga Festival alongside Batten Robomaru Obakekau Shōjo, Kagaku Sentai Dynaman and Aesop's Fable. It was released on VHS on January 14, 1987. An anime comic adaptation was released in June 1995.[11]

was released on December 22, 1984.[12] Set in 1929, several parties try to steal the Rainbow Eye, which can grant any wish. It was shown at the Toei Manga Festival alongside Space Sheriff Shaider and Kinnikuman Great Riot! Seigi Choujin. It was released on VHS on February 21, 1985. An anime comic adaptation was released in August 1995.[13] The anime comics of the third and fourth films were collected together and released under the Shueisha Jump Remix imprint in January 2007.[14]

was released on July 13, 1985.[15] The children of Penguin Village appear in Mechapolis, where anything they can imagine appears made out of mecha. It was shown at the Toei Manga Festival alongside Captain Tsubasa: Europe Daikessen, Kinnikuman Counterattack! The Underground Space Choujins and Dengeki Sentai Changeman: Shuttle Base! Close Call. It was released on VHS on November 21, 1985. An anime comic adaptation was released in September 1995.[16]

1990s films

was released on March 6, 1993.[17] It was shown at the alongside . An anime comic adaptation was released in July 1993.[18] The film was released on VHS on October 8, 1993.

was released on July 10, 1993.[19] It was shown at the Toei Anime Fair alongside and YuYu Hakusho. An anime comic adaptation was released in November 1993.[20] The film was released on VHS on April 8, 1994.

was released on March 12, 1994.[21] It was shown at the Toei Anime Fair alongside and Slam Dunk. It was released on VHS on November 11, 1994. An anime comic adaptation was released in December 1994.[22]

was released on July 9, 1994.[23] It was shown at the Toei Anime Fair alongside and Slam Dunk: Zenkoku Seiha da! Sakuragi Hanamichi. An anime comic adaptation was released in February 1995.[24] The film was released on VHS on April 14, 1995.

released on March 6, 1999 is the only film produced during the broadcast of the second anime adaptation.[25] It was shown at the Toei Anime Fair alongside the Yu-Gi-Oh! and Digimon Adventure films. Comedy duo Kyaeen provide guest voices. It was released on VHS on September 10, 1999.

Dr. Mashirito and Abale-chan

To promote the release of the first Dr. Slump - Arale-chan anime DVD box set, Toriyama drew a one-shot manga published in the April 2007 issue of Monthly Shōnen Jump.[26] It was adapted into a five-minute short titled that entered theaters alongside on March 3, 2007.[26] [27] The story centers around an evil counterpart of Arale created by Dr. Mashirito Jr., named Abale. It was later included alongside all the other films in the DVD box set Slump the Box Movies, released on September 21, 2008.

Reception

Reviewing the first five movies, Carl Kimlinger of Anime News Network summarized Dr. Slump as "random silly adventures[...] delivered with a lot of surreal nonsense humor, only the most basic sense of continuity, and not a whiff of substance or seriousness." He believed that a large portion of the humor simply comes from the graphics, saying that the old-fashioned hand-drawn animation and art provide a "warmth" and "lift Slump's visuals above" that of other anime. However, he called the background music "non-descript" and stated that the films are only for viewers who are familiar with the series, as they provide no exposition.[28]

Mike Toole, also of ANN, included "Hoyoyo!" Space Adventure at number 75 on The Other 100 Best Anime Movies of All Time, a list of "lesser-known, lesser-loved classics." He called it an "artfully silly poke at the sci-fi boom of the late 70s and early 80s, skewering everything from Close Encounters of the Third Kind to THX-1138," yet also including "poop jokes, booger jokes, Ultraman references, dumb comedy routines, and weirdly evocative, exciting space battles."[29]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dr.スランプ劇場版DVD-BOX SLUMP THE BOX MOVIES . Japanese . . 21 September 2008 . 2013-08-11.
  2. Web site: Discotek Media Adds 1st 5 Dr. Slump Anime Films. Anime News Network. 2013-06-12. 2013-06-12.
  3. Web site: DR. SLUMP 1 Hello! Wonder Land (TOEI ANIMATION FILM LIST). Toei Animation. 2016-12-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20150726231110/http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/film/drslump_1_hello_wonder_land.php. 2015-07-26.
  4. Book: Dr.スランプアラレちゃん―ハロー!不思議島 (ジャンプコミックスセレクション) . Japanese . .
  5. Web site: DR. SLUMP 2 (TOEI ANIMATION FILM LIST). Toei Animation. 2016-12-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20150726233115/http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/film/dr_slump_2.php. 2015-07-26.
  6. Book: Dr.スランプ映画編 . Japanese . .
  7. Book: Dr.スランプアラレちゃん―ほよよ宇宙大冒険 (ジャンプコミックスセレクション) . Japanese . .
  8. Book: Dr.スランプアラレちゃん ハロー!不思議島ほよよ宇宙大冒―アラレちゃんアニメコミックス (SHUEISHA JUMP REMIX) . Japanese . .
  9. Web site: ANIMEX1200シリーズ [79]劇場用長編アニメーション Dr.SLUMP(ドクタースランプ)音楽集]. Japanese. Nippon Columbia. 2017-02-20.
  10. Web site: DR. SLUMP 3 The Great Race Around the World (TOEI ANIMATION FILM LIST). Toei Animation. 2016-12-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20150726202114/http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/film/dr_slump_3_the_great_race_arou.php. 2015-07-26.
  11. Book: Dr.スランプアラレちゃん―ほよよ!世界一周大レース (ジャンプコミックスセレクション) . Japanese . .
  12. Web site: DR. SLUMP 4 The secret of the Nanaba Castle (TOEI ANIMATION FILM LIST). Toei Animation. 2016-12-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20150726232057/http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/film/dr_slump_4_the_secret_of_the_n.php. 2015-07-26.
  13. Book: Dr.スランプアラレちゃん―ほよよ!ナナバ城の秘宝 (ジャンプコミックスセレクション) . Japanese . .
  14. Book: Dr.スランプアラレちゃん ほよよ!世界一周大レースほよよ―アラレちゃんアニメコミックス (SHUEISHA JUMP REMIX) . Japanese . .
  15. Web site: DR. SLUMP 5 The City of Dream, Mechapolis (TOEI ANIMATION FILM LIST). Toei Animation. 2016-12-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20150726214638/http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/film/dr_slump_5_the_city_of_dream_m.php. 2015-07-26.
  16. Book: Dr.スランプアラレちゃん―ほよよ!夢の都メカポリス (ジャンプコミックスセレクション アニメコミックス) . Japanese . .
  17. Web site: DR. SLUMP 6 Sunny Penguin Village (TOEI ANIMATION FILM LIST). Toei Animation. 2016-12-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20150726203441/http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/film/dr_slump_6_sunny_penguin_villa.php. 2015-07-26.
  18. Book: Dr.スランプアラレちゃん―んちゃ!ペンギン村はハレのち晴れ (ジャンプコミックスセレクション) . Japanese . .
  19. Web site: DR. SLUMP 7 with Love from Penguin Village (TOEI ANIMATION FILM LIST). Toei Animation. 2016-12-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20150726234051/http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/film/dr_slump_7_with_love_from_peng.php. 2015-07-26.
  20. Book: Dr.スランプアラレちゃん―んちゃ!ペンギン村より愛をこめて (ジャンプコミックスセレクション) . Japanese . .
  21. Web site: DR. SLUMP 8 Trip with the Shark (TOEI ANIMATION FILM LIST). Toei Animation. 2016-12-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20150726230750/http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/film/dr_slump_8_trip_with_the_shark.php. 2015-07-26.
  22. Book: Dr.スランプアラレちゃん―ほよよ!助けたサメに連れられて… (ジャンプコミックスセレクション) . Japanese . .
  23. Web site: DR. SLUMP 9 Summer Vacation (TOEI ANIMATION FILM LIST). Toei Animation. 2016-12-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20150726210721/http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/film/dr_slump_9_summer_vacation.php. 2015-07-26.
  24. Book: Dr.スランプアラレちゃん―んちゃ!!わくわくハートの夏休み (ジャンプコミックスセレクション) . Japanese . .
  25. Web site: DR. SLUMP ARALE'S SURPRISING BURN! (TOEI ANIMATION FILM LIST). Toei Animation. 2016-12-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20150726215656/http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/film/dr_slump_arales_surprising_bur.php. 2015-07-26.
  26. Web site: https://dragon-ball-official.com/news/01_729.html . ja:感じるDBイズム~鳥山明作品紹介~第8回は『ドクター・マシリト アバレちゃん』! . Dragon Ball Official Site . . ja . 2021-12-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211209012906/https://dragon-ball-official.com/news/01_729.html . 2021-12-09 . dead . 2021-12-09 . mdy-all .
  27. Web site: 東映アニメーション:ドクタースランプDVD-BOX"SLUMP THE BOX MOVIES". Japanese. Toei Animation. 2017-02-18.
  28. Web site: Dr. Slump: The Movies [Films 1-5]]. Anime News Network. 2014-08-13. 2014-08-13.
  29. Web site: The Other 100 Best Anime Movies of All Time, Part 2 - The Mike Toole Show. Anime News Network. 2017-04-02. 2017-04-02.