The Monkey King got dragged by actual children for being too nice. Iconic.
This is a pilot film for an animated TV program based on "Son-goku the Monkey." In order to get an idea of the reaction of children, its main audience, a preview was held at an elementary school. It received complaints that Son-goku was portrayed too nicely.
Direction
Early Dezaki style before he revolutionized anime.
Production
Rare surviving pilot that kids literally booed.
Director
Osamu Dezaki
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Osamu Dezaki later became legendary for Ashita no Joe and Black Jack, making this children's roast a fascinating footnote.
This adaptation struggled with Journey to the West's trickster protagonist—Japanese kids expected mischief, not politeness.
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