Little Norse Prince (Taiyo no oji: Horusu no daiboken) - 1968

Isao Takahata is probably better known for his Studio Ghibli films such as Only Yesterday and Grave of the Fireflies. The Little Norse Prince, which has been released by Ghibli is his directorial debut film, and it carries the imagination, charm and subtly which made some of his later films so magnificent.

The story combines Norse and Japanese mythology to create a story about a young boy, who after inheriting a Sword from a rock Giant, embarks on a journey back to the land of his ancestors, prompted by his dying father. En route he comes across a village besieged by the ice demon Grundewald.

In typical Japanses animation the film has elements of supernatural, a ancient (iron age) setting and some truly wonderful visuals. If it lacks the pure vibrancy and narrative zip of more recent Ghibli films it may be worth noting that the film was originally released in 1968, the same decade as The Jungle Book, and although it falls some way short of Disney's output in the decade, it is still a wonderfully charming tale which will appeal to both children and adults. Like a lot of Japanese animation it never shies away from the darker tones of the story and the film contains some menacing wolves, a hypnotic young girl who sings haunting tunes. The film also offers a range of intriguing and interesting adult characters which gives the film a more mature tone, as a power struggle for control over the village threatens to destroy from within.

Not the masterpiece later Takahata managed to create but a excellent debut and a beautifully hand drawn animation which is equally as enthralling as it is funny and charming.