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.
Zen-san (Elephant Officer)
Head of Animal Care Division, Higashi
Yoshiko (Student mobilization)
Miyazawa Sensei
Sugiura (Gatekeeper)
Tamura (Lion Officer)
Director of Toda Zoo
Tetsu (Zen's wife)
Takahashi (Leopard)
Ito (Small Bird)
Inoue (Camel handler)
Narita (Sergeant)
Hisako (Student mobilization)
Postman
Ueno Police Chief
Old skilled worker
Newspaper reporter Tsurumi
Newspaper reporter Kanayama
Auxiliary Military Police
Sendai Zoo Director
Sayama's wife
Original Story
Director
Screenplay
Music
Camera Department Manager
Lighting Director
Art Department Manager
Recording Supervision
Editor
Producer
Assistant Director
Production Manager
Camera Supervisor
Assistant Director