The Tsushima Maru: Farewell Okinawa

つしままる さようならおきなわ

Aired: 1982

Anime film produced by the Tsushima Maru Production Committee and Asia-Do, distributed by Herald Pictures. The film addresses the August 1944 sinking of the Tsushima Maru, a transport ship carrying about 800 schoolchildren evacuating from Okinawa, torpedoed by a U.S. submarine. Released October 24, 1982, 70 minutes long. Directed by Osamu Kobayashi with screenplay by Shoichiro Okubo and Koji Chino. Despite difficulty securing sponsors for 'a film where 800 children die', producer Toki Udagawa completed it through grassroots funding from 40,000 citizens via the Tsushima Maru Film Success Association. The final credits list every victim's name, age, and school, an unusual artistic choice emphasizing historical documentation. Theme song performed by KEI. (C)Tsushima Maru Production Committee