Elephant from "Zoo Story" Backdrop Blur
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Elephant from "Zoo Story"

The fifth film in the Toho Diamond series, following "The Hateful Thing." Based on the true story of "Zoo Story" by author Fukuda Saburo. During the Tokyo air raids of World War II, Zen-san, an elephant keeper at Ueno Zoo, is faced with the heartbreaking task of euthanizing Tonki, a beloved elephant, due to food shortages and wartime pressures. Unable to carry out the order, Zen-san secretly feeds Tonki, but the elephant is ultimately shot by the military police. The film poignantly captures Zen-san’s despair and the devastation of war, as he reflects on his powerlessness amid the chaos.

Top Cast

  • Kenichi Enomoto

    Kenichi Enomoto

    Zen-san (Elephant Officer)

  • Keiju Kobayashi

    Keiju Kobayashi

    Head of Animal Care Division, Higashi

  • Momoko Kôchi

    Momoko Kôchi

    Yoshiko (Student mobilization)

  • Kyōko Anzai

    Kyōko Anzai

    Miyazawa Sensei

  • Yoshio Kosugi

    Yoshio Kosugi

    Sugiura (Gatekeeper)

  • Sachio Sakai

    Sachio Sakai

    Tamura (Lion Officer)

  • Sōji Ubukata

    Sōji Ubukata

    Director of Toda Zoo

  • Noriko Honma

    Noriko Honma

    Tetsu (Zen's wife)

  • Okayu Taka

    Okayu Taka

    Takahashi (Leopard)

Overview

The fifth film in the Toho Diamond series, following "The Hateful Thing." Based on the true story of "Zoo Story" by author Fukuda Saburo. During the Tokyo air raids of World War II, Zen-san, an elephant keeper at Ueno Zoo, is faced with the heartbreaking task of euthanizing Tonki, a beloved elephant, due to food shortages and wartime pressures. Unable to carry out the order, Zen-san secretly feeds Tonki, but the elephant is ultimately shot by the military police. The film poignantly captures Zen-san’s despair and the devastation of war, as he reflects on his powerlessness amid the chaos.

Rating

NR / 10
0 Reviews
1 Popular

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