Romeo no Aoi Sora (Romeo's Blue Skies): Ep 1 - 6 (out of 33)
Romeo no Aoi Sora (
Romeo's Blue Skies) is a
1995 TV series directed by
Kozo Kusuba (
Alps Stories: My Annette) and produced by
Nippon Animation. It’s a slice of life drama filled with historical aspects that works to create a beautiful combination that is both a delight to watch as it is a delight to listen to. A part of the
World Masterpiece Theater, home to series such as
Anne of Green Gables and
Heidi, Girl of the Alp (both of which were directed by
Isao Takahata),
Romeo fits in right with the rest of them as a remarkable animation that tackles themes often not seen in the medium with such delicacy and care.
As with all of the other World Masterpiece Theater releases,
Romeo is based off of a book, this one being
Die schwarzen Brüder (The Black Brothers). Published in 1941, it tells the story of boys who were sold for money due to poverty that were then sold off to sweep chimneys in the middle of the 19th century.
Ever since I first laid my eyes on this series, I knew that I would fall in love with it, and sure enough
6 episodes in and
Romeo has already struck a chord in my heart. From the lovely animation to the beautiful character designs, backed by a wonderful soundtrack and voice cast, both visually and audibly it’s blown me away and left me spellbound.
Yoshiharu Satou (Key Animation on many Ghibli films) is the man responsible for the character designs here, and I have to say that I love the way in which they look and their designs add a lot to the story and my enjoyment. You see, what at first glance seems to be a happy, child friendly story goes into places that others daren’t go. From child slavery to general violence towards young children and poverty stricken families, it’s a show that’s had me crying both tears of sadness and of happiness many times already.
PLOT: Without going into too much detail as I don’t want to spoil this beautiful series, the first episode sets up the premise and introduces you to the cast. The main character, 11 year old Romeo belongs to a close-knit family who’s been effected by the drought. Day in, day out they work hard to earn what little money they can to survive. As the episode goes by you learn of a mysterious man who goes by the name the ‘God of Death’, a man who buys children off of poor families and sells them on for profit where they then live a life of a chimney sweeper. This story, although fiction is based off of what actually happened in that period of history. Romeos father, Roberto (voiced by Ryusuke Oobayashi) doesn’t give in to the man’s demands, but the God of Death doesn’t play by rules and sets fire to the only bit of field Roberto owns, causing them more despair and worse off financially. With his father’s illness worsening, Romeo sells himself in order to help his father and sets off with the violent man to Milan where he hopes to one day return to his family, and his home. He’ll meet and make many friends along the way, and his life won’t be the same ever again, as he ventures off to become an adult.
The show hasn’t pulled any of its punches and has had me both crying and smiling in a way that most shows don’t. It’s earnest and true to itself and tells its beautiful story with tact. The juxtaposition of the beautiful art style, cheery characters, bright colors and grim story creates a series that is well on its way to being an instant favorite of mine already. Capping off at
33 episodes, my journey has just begun, and like Romeo, I feel as if a lot has left to await me.
