Initially released in 1992, Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama was created as a part of the 40th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations and team members from both countries made contributions in making this film. Japanese director Yugo Sako directed and produced this Indo-Japanese anime film based on the Indian epic, Ramayana written by Maharshi Valmiki.
The English version with Sanskrit songs of this film could not be released on a larger scale as back then Ram Janmabhoomi Movement at its peak and this film somehow created controversy. Later on, Cartoon network bought the copyright of the movie and it was released on that TV channel.
2022 will be a significant year as it will mark the 70 years of India-Japan diplomatic relations and in that honour, a Japan film festival will be organised in India in which the 4K remastered version of the original movie will be released across theatres, DVDs, Blu-rays and digital platforms.
Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama Release Date
The Indian Embassy in Tokyo along with TEM Co., Ltd. arranged an exclusive screening of the remastered 4K version of the anime, Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama also known as Ramayana – Rama Ouji Densetsu in Japanese, on February 4. The Ambassador of India to Japan H.E. Shri Sanjay Kumar Verma and executive producer Atsushi Matsuo launched the film at that event.
Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama 4K trailer
The official trailer video with Japanese narration for the 4K digitally remastered version of the anime was released on YouTube on 26th December 2021. The official YouTube channel has declared to accept requests for streaming and broadcasting rights of this anime. TEM Co. Ltd. takes care of the licensing part in Tokyo and the Indian agent is Anime Pop Mall Pvt Ltd. After its release, the official trailer got so many positive responses from the viewers and they are quite excited and nostalgic at the same time to get to see the theatrical and remastered version of the anime after a long wait. This anime has got a great rating of 9.2 by IMDb and 8.2 by MAL.
Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama Anime
The remastered 2022 edition of the original film will be known as the Anniversary Edition remarking the 70 years of diplomatic relationship between India and Japan. This edition of the film will have stereo audio and high-quality graphics and visuals as the technology used in the original 1992 film are backdated. Based on Valmiki’s Ramayana, this film is a wonderful amalgamation of three different styles consisting of anime from Japan, Disney from the United States of America and Ravi Verma from India.
The film depicts the legendary tale of Rama, the eldest royal prince among four princes of the Ayodhya Kingdom in ancient India. Dasharath was the king of Ayodhya and he was married to three queens, Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra. Dasharath had four sons named Rama, Bharat, Lakshmana and Shatrughna born from them. All four princes grew up to be of great valour and wisdom.
But eventually when the time came to crown Rama as the king of Ayodhya as the descendant of Dasharatha, Rama’s stepmother Kaikeyi stood against this decision and requested Dasharatha to crown her son Bharat as the new king of Ayodhya instead.
According to Kaikeyi’s request, Rama got banished from the palace for fourteen years in exile along with his wife Sita. Rama’s younger brother Lakshmana also went with them into the forest. While living in the Panchavati forest, Rama defeated many rakshasas (demons) of the forest.
In the meantime after being approached by the demon king Ravana’s sister Shurpanakha, Lakshmana cut off her nose out of anger. Due to this incident, the demon king Ravana got extremely annoyed and this, unfortunately, led to the kidnapping of Rama’s beautiful wife Sita by Ravana.
Rama went to rescue his wife Sita with the help of his friends, the powerful monkey army. But while the massive fight between Rama and Ravana was going on, Rama’s brother Lakshmana was seriously injured. At that crucial time, Rama’s greatest admirer, the primary member of the monkey army, Hanuman flew to the Himalayas and brought the whole mountain of medicinal herbs that were essential to save Lakshmana by curing his wounds. Eventually, Rama’s army triumphed over Ravana’s army and Rama returned to Ayodhya and became the greatest king ever.
When will Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama Anime Movie 4K Remaster Theatrical Release?
Screening in Japan has got stuck due to the length of the movie – 135 minutes is not the standard, though the company was heard to be in discussion with major local theatres.
However, we have some good news for India fans. The first screening of the movie has happened select Bangalore theatres in India on 20th March. Teh second show has been planned for March 27 (Sun) 1:45 PM – 4:00 PM Venue: SRV Theatre, Malleshwaram.
Will there be Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama English Dub?
The English dubbed version of Ramayana: the legend of Prince Rama was released in the United States of America as Warrior Prince or The Prince of Light: The Legend of Ramayana with narration by James Earl Jones. In the English dub, Prince Rama was voiced by Bryan Cranston and that version was released on 9th November 2001.
The English dubbed version of the film was the opening movie of the 2000 Lucca Animation Film Festival held in Italy, a special film of the Cardiff Animation Film Festival in the United Kingdom and it bagged the Best Animation Film of the Year at the 2000 Santa Clarita International Film Festival that took place in the United States.
Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama Characters, Casts and Staff
The primary characters who would be back to screen as voice artists in the English version of the epic anime are
- Nikhil Kapoor as Rama
- Rael Padmasee as Sita
- Uday Mathan as Ravana
- Mishal Varma as Lakshmana
- Noel Godin as Hanuman
- Bulbul Mukherjee as Dasharatha
- Madhulika Verma as Kaikeyi
- Rahul Bose as Bharata
Various other characters and staff have renewed their respective roles in the 4K remastered version of Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama.
Frequently Asked Questions – Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama Edition
Q. Is Japan re releasing Ramayana: the legend of Prince Rama 4k?
As the Hindutva Movement regarding Ram Janmabhoomi was at its peak back then in 1992, the theatrical release of Ramayana: the legend of Prince Rama Anime was not made possible because many Hindu organizations protested that an anime version would not do justice to an epic like Ramayana. So after 30 years, as the situation got better, on the occasion of 70 years of India Japan diplomatic relations, Japan along with India has decided to release a 4K remastered version of the anime made in 1992.
Q. Where can I watch Ramayana the legend of Prince Rama’s full movie?
Ramayana: the legend of Prince Rama can be seen on online streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney Hotstar, DVDs, Blu-rays and other digital platforms that have the access to broadcast it.
Q. Why was Ramayana The Legend of Prince Rama banned in India?
The original 1992 version of Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama was banned as at that time, the Ram Janmabhoomi movement was at its peak and the film made into some controversy. So after 30 years in 2022, it has been decided that the 4K remastered version of the film will have a theatrical release on the 70th anniversary of India Japan diplomatic relations.
Q. Where can I download Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama’s animated movie?
Ramayana: the legend of Prince Rama animated movie can be downloaded from specific websites which have the rights to broadcast the 1080p 4K remastered, better audio and video quality version of the original Ramayana the legend of Prince Rama.
In the meantime, stay tuned for updates and all the good stuff from your favourite titles coming up in Spring 2022 Anime.
