Hashire Melos (Movie)

Melos is a good boy from Messina and has come to Syracuse, the magnificent city of temples, to buy a ritual sword for his sister's marriage ceremony. He meets a very talented sculptor and they become friends. Later, the King's guards arrest Melos while he was having a walk in the castle's gardens and Syracuse's King, obsessed by the idea of assassins out to kill him, sentences him to death. Melos is desperate, but most of all he wants to be present at his sister's marriage, so he asks the King for three days to go to Messina for the celebration and then return to Syracuse where he will accept the death penalty. The King does not trust Melos, but, trying to demonstrate that nobody could trust him, asks him to find a volunteer substitute in case he breaks his promise. The sculptor accepts to be Melos' substitute in this case...

(Source: ANN)

Melos Main

Yamadera, Kouichi Japanese

Dionysius II Supporting

Kobayashi, Akiji Japanese

Reisa Supporting

Nakamori, Akina Japanese

Serinentius Supporting

Ogawa, Shinji Japanese

Oosumi, Masaaki Director, Screenplay

Okiura, Hiroyuki Storyboard, Character Design, Animation Director

Terahigashi, Katsumi Storyboard

Nishikubo, Mizuho Storyboard

Reviews

Oct 13, 2025

Y-MELLY

Recommended

This a deeply moving and adventurous anime that teaches the true meaning of faith, friendship, and trust, that even in a world full of betrayal and fear, loyalty can still exist. The story follows Melos, a young man who sets out on a journey to save his friend after being falsely accused of plotting against a tyrannical king. When the king challenges Melos’ loyalty, what unfolds becomes a timeless tale of how far one will go for friendship and honor.

This anime really depicts what trust is and what trust can do. It explores how unshakable faith between friends can defy fear, punishment, and even death ... itself. The themes are universal, and the story’s message still feels powerful today.

What I found fascinating is the fact that the story told in the anime is actually based on a true legendary tale from ancient Greece, one that has been told for centuries. Even the king and the city where the events took place are real from historical accounts—only the characters’ names were fictionalized for the anime. That makes it not just a story, but a piece of ancient moral philosophy brought beautifully to life.

For a film made in 1992, the animation is simple yet emotionally strong. The art captures the atmosphere of ancient Greece perfectly, from the dusty roads to the grand city landscapes. The expressive faces and body language of the characters enhance the emotional gravity of each moment.

The soundtrack fits the tone of the story perfectly. It builds tension and emotion in all the right moments, especially during Melos’ race against time. The voice acting feels sincere and heartfelt, adding weight to the anime’s emotional themes.

Melos stands as a symbol of faith and loyalty, while the king represents skepticism and fear. Their dynamic creates a timeless moral conflict about trust and redemption. Every decision and emotion feels genuine, making the characters memorable long after the movie ends.


Overall, Run Melos (1992) is an inspiring and heartfelt film that captures the essence of trust, loyalty, and friendship. It’s adventurous, emotional, and philosophical all at once. Knowing that it’s inspired by a true ancient Greek legend makes it even more fascinating.

This is one of those anime that reminds you how timeless certain virtues are, and how, even in moments of doubt, true friendship can overcome anything.

A timeless story of friendship, faith, and loyalty beautifully retold through anime.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Oct 17, 2019

Steeb

Recommended

Hashire Melos is one of the good ones. I don’t remember how to write, so I’ll use MyAnimeList’s comical segment ratings: story, art, sound, character, and enjoyment will be self evident.

The story of of Hashire Melos is based on a book by Osamu Dazai. Despite being anime and Japan-written, this Greek legend captures the style and telling techniques of mythology, sans the tragic ending(this is not a spoiler because the beginning of the movie shows that they’re alive in the end). For example, Hashire Melos features a flawed protagonist who faces a tragic fate out of his control. It seems like the city of ... Syracuse really takes advantage of Melos in the beginning. In Homeric fashion, a series of trials presents themselves to Melos, whether predetermined or driven by the fates themselves. Man, I don’t remember Greek literature. I read Homer’s Odyssey in 12th grade. I took Latin. I know things.

The sound design is pretty good, dude. I’m a sucker for good footstep sound effects such as Ocarina of Time and Mario 64, and let me tell you: the sandals slap in this one. People got swords and junk, and they swing them, and these swords sound so distinct, especially for anime. The swords sound heavy and blunt and inelegant, which is what swords were like back then. Swords in the BC era, yeah, they’re sharp, but they resembled big, metal sticks, and their bluntness was just as likely to strike down armored foes than cut them. But, yeah, the sword swings were good. The soundtrack is very understated but effective. In the 1990s, midi became a potentially cheap replacement for full-blown orchestra. This gives a certain gravitas to the story’s emotional framework while retaining a certain degree of nostalgic, endearing educational tape vibe. There are leitmotifs at play that accent the scene’s themes well and are so subtle that it’s entirely possible you’ll miss the recurring theme on your first viewing.

Aforementioned weightiness of the swords is courtesy of Iso Mitsuo and Utsunomiya Satoru. Iso is famously responsible for the End of Evangelion fight in which Asuka lumberingly swung a huge, blunt weapon. It seems to be a subject Iso returned to often in his career. Utsunomiya is from a similarly weighty, realistic, and detailed school of movement, a legend in his own right as well. Years before Kon Satoshi, of Perfect Blue and Paprika fame, would bloom as a director, he was credited along with many other talents as a key animator on this film. From Inoue Toshiyuki, to Takahashi Shinya, and Itou Kouji, there’s a real wealth of unique talent brought to this film. Oono Hiroshi brings a pleasantly soft background art direction that evokes the beauty of the Grecian landscapes, sunsets whose warmth bursts from the screen, moody rains, and cool, shady forests with beautiful lighting. This movie exudes emotions of melancholy and hope visually through effective color use, lighting, and texture. All backed by the shot compositions of the rarely appreciated but extraordinarily talented director Oosumi Masaaki. Reportedly, he approached the film by verbally describing the scenes to his storyboard artists. Masaaki’s method allows for a beautifully ornate look bound together by an experienced sense of editing flow and punctual portrayal of its emotional highs. I love how dusty and brown everything was, yet the city is still lively. The environments looked very lived in.

I really liked the character designs in this movie, as well as the way faces were drawn. Careful attention to angle and definition were considered in shots of a character’s reflection. I like how a lot of characters have big, round noses; they really anchor their faces in the lineart. My friend used the words “character acting” to describe the Emperor, and I strongly agree, his face is well sculpted to be old and slightly drooping, yet with a solid jawline and very readable, complex emotional expression. There’s also a moment in the beginning, when two characters back-and-forth without words but with gestures, which is great characterization for both main characters and throwaways.

Character is basically the same section as story, but here I’ll write about how the characters tie into the story and the self-declared theme of trust. Selinuntius trusts Melos, and despite the emperor’s efforts to instil doubt in him, he remains calmly confident in Melos’ follow-through. Selinuntius is inspired to feel trust again due to something in his past, which I won’t spoil. Dionysius, the emperor, wishes to teach his people a lesson about the dangers of trust, as the safety of his city is kept by caution toward strangers. Melos himself doesn’t earn much trust in his life due to his clumsiness, but he craves it and strives to nurture his sudden hope from Selinuntius. Melos is very naturally trusting, himself, which is what throws him into this scenario in the first place, getting tricked by slick city salesmen into entering a big, bad misunderstanding. It’s a heartwarming sentimentality, which the movie earns through trials which Melos endures.


I do an all-or-nothing review structure, of “smell my Gak! Is it good, or is it gross??”, and this movie is good. Hashire Melos is a good movie, and I like it.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Feb 11, 2025

re4zen

Mixed Feelings

Hashire Melos! (Run, Melos!) is a 1992 Japanese animated film adaptation of Osamu Dazai's short story.

Production: Directed by Masaaki Ōsumi and produced by Visual 80, the film features some notable names in the anime industry. The character design is credited to Hiroyuki Okiura, and background art was contributed by Satoshi Kon, both of whom would go on to become legends in anime.


Overview: The film unfolds against the of ancient Greece, weaving a tale of virtue and tribulation as it follows Melos, a shepherd from Messina whose fate becomes inexorably entwined with the machinations of tyranny, who travels to Syracuse to buy a ceremonial sword for ... his sister's wedding. Melos befriends a sculptor in Syracuse—only for his journey to transmute into a crucible of fate when he finds himself ensnared in the web of despotism, wrongfully condemned as a traitor. He's sentenced to death but manages to negotiate three days to attend his sister's wedding, leaving his new friend as a hostage to ensure his return.

Themes: The core theme of the movie is friendship and loyalty. A tale of trust, moral integrity, and the lengths one will go to for loved ones. Despite its setting in ancient Greece, it resonates with timeless values.

Visuals: Classic hand-drawn animation typical of the early '90s, with a focus on emotional expression and dramatic visuals. The animation style of "Hashire Melos!" is praised for its detail and the way it captures the feel of ancient Greece. The backgrounds are rich and atmospheric, providing a sense of place that enhances the storytelling.

Cultural Impact: While "Hashire Melos!" is not as internationally recognized as some other anime films, it has a special place in Japanese animation history. It's often cited for its storytelling and the quality of its animation, despite being relatively obscure outside of Japan. The film's focus on friendship and moral dilemmas makes it a subject of study in Japanese schools, where the original story by Dazai is also taught.

Availability: Unfortunately, the film has not seen a wide release outside of Japan, with its most accessible format historically being on Laserdisc. Over the years, it has been difficult to obtain due to its limited distribution and lack of modern releases.

Reception: Among those who have seen it, "Hashire Melos!" is highly regarded for its narrative depth, character development, and the way it adapts Dazai's story into visual form. It's often mentioned in discussions about underrated anime films, especially for those interested in the works of its artists and its historical context within anime.

"Hashire Melos!" is a poignant piece of anime that showcases the power of friendship and moral conviction through a beautifully animated ancient setting.

Hashire Melos presents a thoughtful adaptation of a classic tale, weaving themes of trust, honor, and human nature. While its characterization leans toward simplicity, it allows the core message to take center stage. Dionysus, in particular, could have been portrayed with more nuance, yet his role effectively highlights the contrast between cynicism and idealism.

Visually, the film excels in its detailed portrayal of statues and bas-reliefs, enriching its historical atmosphere. Though the character designs remain understated, they complement the film’s tone. however fails to extend this precision to character design, which remains uninspired. The soundtrack, while serviceable, lacks the haunting resonance needed to elevate the narrative. Ultimately, Hashire Melos struggles to balance its thematic ambition with cohesive execution—providing a gentle backdrop without overpowering key moments. Despite these aspects, Hashire Melos remains a heartfelt and contemplative adaptation, offering a sincere exploration of its timeless themes.

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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