Aung Chan Nyein Kyaw

POPEYE THE SAILOR MAN: Blow Me Down! (1933)

I will be writing about Popeye the Sailor Man, specifically the episode Blow Me Down! by Dave Fleischer. This animation was one of my favorites in childhood. The Popeye theme song is a childhood anthem for me. Every time I hear it again, it reminds me of my childhood. It uses the rotoscoping animation technique, so the movements of the characters are very smooth, making the fight scenes more realistic.

Elements I Will Be Researching and Writing About

Brief Introduction to Popeye the Sailor Man and Its Historical Significance

Background of Blow Me Down!

• Released in 1933 by Fleischer Studios.
• Featuring the voice of William Costello as Popeye.

Plot Summary

• Classic Popeye vs. Bluto rivalry over Olive Oyl.
• Action-filled brawl, exaggerated humor.

Animation Techniques and Style

• Rubber Hose Animation.
• Rotoscoping.
• Early Sound Synchronization.
• Fight Choreography.
• Limited Background Movement.
• Pioneered action-comedy animation.

Popeye as a Working-Class Hero

• Tough, hardworking sailor.

Spinach and American Culture

I am planning to write my short paper about “Popeye,” which was the first animated series I grew up watching. I remember I was singing the Popeye theme song every morning when I woke up. The character of Popeye was created by Elsie Criser Segar in 1929, but the first cartoon in the series was released in 1933. I will research how it was created, which methods and techniques were used for the cartoon.

Attending one of Robertson’s shows in 1797 would have been an unforgettable experience. The projections of ghosts and specters would feel so real that I might momentarily believe in magic. The mastery of light and shadow would create an immersive illusion, blurring the line between reality and the supernatural.

This sensation reminds me of my first immersive VR experience. Just as VR transports users into hyper-realistic worlds, Robertson’s illusions played with perception, making the impossible seem tangible.

One of my favorite animated TV shows is Naruto. It started airing when I was a teenager. Created by Masashi Kishimoto, it follows the journey of a young boy who dreams of becoming the strongest ninja in his village. It’s an action-adventure drama anime produced by Studio Pierrot.

I’m not really a fan of anime in general. I find most of them overly exaggerated, both in characters and dialogue. But Naruto is different because I grew up with it. The art style is amazing—full of detail, emotion, and energy. The animation mainly uses traditional hand-drawn techniques with digital enhancements, making the fight scenes and emotional moments even more powerful. The soundtrack is also very sentimental, and the storytelling is deep and meaningful.

In Thailand, Japanese anime has had a huge influence on kids, and Naruto was a big part of that. The show has 27 seasons with over a thousand episodes. It originally aired in Japan on October 3, 2002, and ended on March 23, 2017. Since I followed Naruto’s journey from childhood to adulthood, his story feels personal to me. This anime holds a lot of sentimental value and reminds me of my childhood.

Hello, everyone my name is Aung. My major is Video Arts and Technology, but I really interested in animation and its history. I really liked Avatar, both the first and the second. I want to become a special effect artist. If I have to choose a favorite animation, it would be Spider-man into the Spider-verse, because of its amazing art style.

I love photography, films, collecting watches, and cameras. On my free time, I enjoy grabbing my old cameras, going out to capture vibrant moments on the street.