In what can be seen as an applaudable effort to strengthen relations between India and Japan, TEM Co., Ltd. and Anime Pop Mall have announced a magnificent come back of the Ramayana – The Legend of Prince Rama (Ramayana – Rama Ouji Densetsu) anime. They announced that the Ramayan anime will get a 4K remaster.
Japan to bring back Ramayan in 4K
The remastered version of the film can be reportedly seen in theatres, on television, on DVD and Blu-ray Disc, and on OTT services from 2022. It will launch in the 70th anniversary year of India-Japan diplomatic relations. The companies have also launched a website and created new social media accounts for the film to consider the requests for broadcast and streaming rights.
The website describes the film as, “In Ayodhya, the royal palace of Kosalakingdom in ancient India, four princes were born to three queens, each of whom grew to great stature. After being banished from the palace for fourteen years due to court intrigue, Prince Rama retreated to the forest with his beautiful wife Sita. Then, Rama, who had vanquished the demons of the forest, invites the wrath of the demon king Ravana, and his wife Sita is kidnapped. Rama goes to rescue Sita with the help of the monkey army. But while fighting the powerful Ravana army, his brother Lakshmana is seriously wounded. At this time, Hanuman, the general of the monkey army, flew to the Himalayas and carried a mountain of medicinal herbs that healed his wounds, saving his life. Eventually, Rama’s army defeated Ravana’s army using the “Heavenly Weapons” and returned to Ayodhya in triumph.”
The anime film was directed by Yugo Sakopremiered in 1992 at the 40th anniversary year of India-Japan diplomatic relations. The film was aired on Cartoon Network on Indian television.
70th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations
India and Japan, are all set to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them this year. A number of events have been planned to be held in India and Japan throughout the year.
These events including cultural activities, exhibitions and seminars, covering diverse areas of India-Japan bilateral relations will truly reflect India-Japan special strategic and global partnership, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
India and Japan established diplomatic relations on 28th April, 1952.
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India, the largest democracy in the world, and Japan, the richest democracy in Asia are “made for each other” partners of the 21st century. And comeback of this iconic Ramayan movie is, indeed, a great move to improve international relations between the two countries.
