Kaibutsu-kun: Invitation to Monster Land

かいぶつくん かいぶつらんどへのしょうたい

Aired: 1981

A theatrical anime produced by Shin-Ei Animation, adapting Fujiko Fujio A's iconic manga 'Kaibutsu-kun.' Released as part of the 1981 spring lineup alongside another Fujiko Fujio-derived hit, 'Doraemon: Nobita's Little Star Wars,' the double feature effectively established the prototype of what would later become the long-running 'Toho Spring Anime Festival.' The story follows Kaibutsu Taro, heir to the throne of Monster Land, who is accompanied by his three loyal retainers Dracula, Werewolf and Frankenstein on a return trip from the human world back to his native realm. There he confronts the schemes of an evil great-demon king bent on seizing the throne, and together with his human friend Hiroshi mounts a spirited defense to restore peace to Monster Land. The film cheerfully expands the manga's east-meets-west monster aesthetics to the big screen, and uses 'Shin Kaibutsu-kun Ondo,' composed by Asei Kobayashi, as its theme.