Bakumatsu no Spasibo

In the middle of the 19th century, the Tokugawa Shogunate is on its last leg. With foreign powers arriving to establish relations with Japan, the isolationist nation is under immense pressure from both external and internal forces. After the U.S. Navy forcibly opens Japan's borders, the Japanese must contend with the arrival of the mighty Diana—a 52-gun frigate flying the colors of the Russian Empire.

Japan has little resistance against such a vessel and must negotiate. Having recently concluded a treaty with the Americans, Toshiakira Kawaji is assigned to work out something similar with the Russians. But talks with the temperamental commander Yevfimy Vasilyevich Putyatin prove difficult. As the discussions drag on, disaster strikes: a massive earthquake hits Japan's coast, causing damage to Russians and Japanese alike—but perhaps the tragedy can be the catalyst in bringing the two nations together.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Putyatin, Yevfimy Vasilyevich Main

Katou, Seizou Japanese

Matsuzaki, Yoshiyuki Producer

Dezaki, Tetsu Director, Script

Shimizu, Katsunori Sound Director

Waki, Takeshi Art Director

Reviews

Mar 10, 2025

zettai-jin-stray

Recommended

Bakumatsu no Spasibo has a lot of value simply in the historical importance of the narrative, for Japanese international relations and in capturing the approach to diplomacy and negotiations at that time. Getting a small look into the complexities of both the Russian and Japanese interests was interesting but moreover is other excitements such as with the Russians communicating with the Japanese commoners, natural disasters, and Western and Japanese ship construction. The visuals are a brand of Tetsu Dezaki economical, frankly it’s fairly jank and low end for 1997, I can see this being a big detriment for some. Tetsu Dezaki is not as much ... of an all-out visual stylist like his brother, although some scenes have beautifully dramatic intense lighting and postcard memories. I won’t make so many excuses for the quality, but the consistent limited animation has a charm. The art direction is quality and pull things together nicely and the music has the dreamy, 80’s preset sound that gives it a cozy, educational VHS feel. The movie can be found in VHS rip with english subtitles.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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	Poll: Bakumatsu no Spasibo Episode 1 Discussion Drumbottle - Jan 25, 2022	1 replies	by AlekAlek »» Feb 20, 2024 10:54 AM
	Anyone know where to watch this? TEWG - Dec 6, 2016	8 replies	by removed-user »» Apr 1, 2022 2:39 AM