The Song of Tentomushi

Seven young siblings grow up in a warm household until a well-meaning gift sends their parents away for an anniversary trip that ends in tragedy. Left without guardians, the children can't stay mired in grief; they set up a household, divide tasks, and learn practical skills so they can survive. The series follows their daily efforts to support one another, manage work and school, and interact with a cautious but increasingly helpful community. Episodes focus on small victories and setbacks as the children adapt, balancing moments of sorrow with scenes of play, responsibility, and gradual emotional growth without resolving every hardship.

Released in 1974, the animated series was directed by Hiroshi Sasagawa and created from concepts by Noboru Kawasaki, featuring voice work from Hiroshi Otake, Hiroshi Masuoka, Noriko Tsukase, and others.

There are no records of major awards or high-profile nominations for the show, and it did not achieve the kind of industry recognition that would put it in prominent prize lists of the era.

While it never became a mainstream international hit, the series reflects a strain of 1970s family-oriented anime, and it holds modest interest for collectors and historians who study domestic melodramas and rural community portrayals in older animation.

Contemporary responses are sparse, and modern ratings are limited, which suggests the show never reached wide critical acclaim. Thematically it centers on sibling solidarity, practical resilience, communal support, and childhood coping after loss. Scenes emphasize everyday problem solving and moral lessons, so viewers interested in character-driven, home-centered stories will find its steady, unflashy approach to those themes the main appeal.