Osaka through the eyes of Jarinko Chie
The quirky and raw world of the manga/anime Jarinko Chie
Originally released as a manga in 1978, Jarinko Chie is finding new life today, having recently won some awards and capturing the interest of younger audiences in Japan. It was adapted into an anime by the immutable Isaho Takahata, the co-founder of Studio Ghibli with Hayao Miyazaki
Set in the grittier neighborhoods of downtown Osaka, it tells the story of Chie, a feisty fifth-grader with a complicated family life. Her father, Tetsu, is a gambler and hooligan, and spends his time either in fights or at the pachinko. Her mother leaves the house because she gets disillusioned with Tetsu. Young Chie ends up having to run the family’s small barbecue shop after school.
Chie and Her Father
One of the most memorable aspects of Jarinko Chie is her relationship with her father. While Chie’s mother is gentle and affectionate, Chie has a conflicting yet loving bond with her father, who she simply refers to by his first name, Tetsu. This doesn't stop Chie from trying to bring her parents back together again. In one scene, the three of them are out in the park and the pair of adults are so awkward with each other that Chie breaks into a song in a loud voice, surprising all the people around.
Chie’s love and hate relationship with Tetsu manifests in different ways. A memorable scene is when Chie writes an essay titled “Father” for a school event. In it, she describes an idealized version of a father who shows up to work every day and cooks the most delicious barbecue —an image that Tetsu could never live up to. Tetsu overhears her and mutters "liar" under his breath, revealing his own struggle with failing her expectations. This complex family relationship grounds Jarinko Chie in a raw but relatable realism.
Osaka’s Soul
Osaka, Japan's second-largest city, adds texture to Jarinko Chie, much like the characters themselves. Known for its unique Kansai dialect, lively food culture, and business history, Osaka’s distinct flavor is woven throughout the manga and anime. In contrast to standard Japanese, the Kansai dialect is expressive, playful, and sometimes even rough —perfectly matching the story’s grounded feel. Takahata was meticulous in his casting for the anime, choosing actors who could speak the dialect authentically, some of whom were even popular comedians from the region.
Historically, Osaka has been the backbone of Japan’s industrial economy, housing major corporations and boasting a GDP of US$ 362.5 billion, comparable to Singapore’s. While modernization is visible everywhere, there are still traces of the old Osaka in its smaller neighborhoods. These are places where family-run eateries and local shops dot the streets. In 2022, Osaka was ranked the 10th most livable city in the world by The Economist.
Source - Market report of Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
Nishinari: Then and Now
The manga’s creator, Etsumi Haruki (a pseudonym), grew up in Osaka’s Nishinari area, and drew upon his experiences in the manga. Nishinari has a notorious past, once infamous for homelessness. Today, it’s a blend of old and new, with redevelopment efforts slowly changing the landscape, but familiar sights like offal shops and family eateries still remain. Takahata sought real-life Osaka neighborhoods as inspiration for Jarinko Chie’s backdrop and some of the landmarks of the area like the Tsutenkaku Tower are visible in the animation. Knowing that Takahata had politically left-leaning views, and even met Hayao Miyazaki at a leftist protest, it makes sense that he would choose to tell this story about the working-class masses. In Jarinko Chie, we see a side of Osaka that’s a little rough, but deeply human.
The Nostalgic Charm of Jarinko Chie
What’s so captivating about Jarinko Chie is that, for all its hardship, there’s a warm humor woven throughout. Take the neighborhood kids, for instance—they’re often decked out in Hanshin Tigers shirts, paying homage to Osaka’s beloved baseball team. When the Tigers won the national league in 2023 after a drought of 18 years, the streets flooded with fans. Jarinko Chie taps into that spirit, showing us kids gathering to play ball in the local park, hoping to win big someday.
Hanshin Tigers win the league in 2023, Osaka
There are even talking cats with their own lively conversations, adding a quirky charm to Chie’s world without ever breaking the story’s realism. The show doesn’t shy away from depicting Chie’s tough reality—working late in the shop, handling her father’s outbursts—some of the elements of the story including child labor would be inexcusable in the present day. But Jarinko Chie punctuates these scenes with a sense of joy, community, and humor.
The cute little ending song of the anime
Above all, Chie wins us over with her honesty, good nature, and hard work. Her no- nonsense attitude and care for those around her like her parents or her frequently annoying classmates is endearing. It is a tough life for a fifth grader but Chie does her best and finds moments of joy in all kinds of places. The reality of her daily life sometimes catches you off guard because there is so much humor mixed in. But like the city of Osaka, the world of Jarinko Chie is a multidimensional one, capturing the realities of working class life in a real but tender way.
Selected Sources (In Japanese/English)
https://fr.futabasha.co.jp/chie/comics/
https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/documents/12567/marketreport2022_1.pdf
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20230420/k10014040731000.html
https://osaka-info.jp/en/spot/tsutenkaku/