Takarajima
Summary: Jim Hawkins is a young boy lead by progressive events to embark on a search journey for the legendary treasure of the once dreaded pirate, Captain Flint. On their way to Treasure Island, John Silver, Jim's best friend, take over command of the ship revealing his true self as the ruthless pirate who once was the right hand of Flint himself. Feeling betrayed, Jim now has to deal with his mixed feelings and face Silver who still consider himself and Jim as friends.
(Source: ANN)
Description
Jim Hawkins is a young boy lead by progressive events to embark on a search journey for the legendary treasure of the once dreaded pirate, Captain Flint. On their way to Treasure Island, John Silver, Jim's best friend, take over command of the ship revealing his true self as the ruthless pirate who once was the right hand of Flint himself. Feeling betrayed, Jim now has to deal with his mixed feelings and face Silver who still consider himself and Jim as friends.
(Source: ANN)
Takarajima Pictures
Takarajima Review
Takarajima — Jim Hawkins is a young boy lead by progressive events to embark on a search journey for the legendary treasure of the once dreaded pirate, Captain Flint. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Adventure, Drama, Mystery conventions as a TV work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 7.93). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Takarajima offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Adventure, Drama, Mystery, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Hawkins, Jim
Main
Shimizu, Mari
Japanese
Hawkins, Jim
Main
Harloff, Marek
German
Hawkins, Jim
Main
Izzo, Giuppy
Italian
Hawkins, Jim
Main
Dougnac, Marie-Laure
French
Hawkins, Jim
Main
Blanco, Giset
Spanish
Silver, John
Main
Wakayama, Genzo
Japanese
Silver, John
Main
Cortesi, Renato
Italian
Silver, John
Main
Hilling, Laurent
French
Abraham
Supporting
Kitamura, Kouichi
Japanese
Anderson
Supporting
Katou, Osamu
Japanese
Bones, Billy
Supporting
Kurosawa, Ryo
Japanese
Bones, Billy
Supporting
Hecker, Ben
German
Bones, Billy
Supporting
Hilling, Laurent
French
Dr. Livesey
Supporting
Kayumi, Iemasa
Japanese
Dr. Livesey
Supporting
Capone, Claudio
Italian
Dr. Livesey
Supporting
Bazil, Robert
French
Dr. Livesey
Supporting
Colín, Jesús
Spanish
George
Supporting
Senda, Mitsuo
Japanese
George
Supporting
Ahrens, Christian
German
Gray, Abraham
Supporting
Nojima, Akio
Japanese
Staff
Dezaki, Osamu
Director, Episode Director, Storyboard
Takayashiki, Hideo
Episode Director
Takeuchi, Yoshio
Episode Director
Shinozaki, Yoshimi
Script
Yamazaki, Haruya
Script
Imagire, Yoshi
Storyboard
Konya, Yukio
Storyboard
Barouille, Michel
Theme Song Performance
Columbia Yurikago Kai
Theme Song Performance, Inserted Song Performance
Davis, Liliane
Theme Song Performance
Machida, Yoshito
Theme Song Performance, Inserted Song Performance
Endou, Yuuichi
Key Animation
Garcia, Jacques
ADR Director
Haneda, Kentarou
Music
Hayashi, Takafumi
Key Animation
Huchez, Bruno-René
Publicity
Itou, Yukimatsu
Key Animation
Kobayashi, Shichirou
Art Director, Background Art
Koorogi '73
Inserted Song Performance
Motoki, Hisatoshi
Key Animation