Murasaki Shikibu: The Tale of Genji

紫式部 源氏物語

Aired: 1987

A theatrical anime based on Murasaki Shikibu's timeless classic 'The Tale of Genji.' Produced by Group TAC and directed by Gisaburo Sugii, this refined literary anime reconstructs the first half of the original 54 chapters -- up to just before Hikaru Genji's exile to Suma -- with the encounter with Yugao as its central axis. Haruomi Hosono's innovative ambient-style soundtrack fuses with screen designs reminiscent of shadow play, crystallizing the ethereal yet sensual atmosphere of the Heian court as visual poetry. The Heian waka-inflected dialogue delivery, with Etsuko Ichihara serving as narrator, is another highlight. As a pinnacle of literary anime that continues to receive high acclaim from critics both in Japan and abroad, it stands as one of the most distinctive works of 1980s Japanese animation.