Soar High! Isami

Soar High! Isami, known in Japan as Tobe! Isami, was produced by Group TAC and aired on NHK starting in 1995. The series emerged from the creative mind of Kyoko Mizuki, the manga artist famous for Candy Candy, who collaborated with director Gisaburo Sugii to bring this vibrant adventure to life. The story follows Isami Hanaoka, a descendant of the Shinsengumi, who discovers a secret base and ancestral artifacts that lead her and her friends on a mission to combat a mysterious organization, blending historical mythology with contemporary slice-of-life elements.

The aesthetic of the series reflects the mid-nineties animation style, characterized by earnest character designs and a focus on youthful camaraderie. By centering the narrative on a group of children tasked with protecting their city, the show captured the spirit of the 'magical girl' and action-adventure genres popular during that decade in Japan. While the series did not reach the global cultural ubiquity of other contemporaneous titles, it remains a well-regarded project within Group TAC’s history for its imaginative premise and the clear, cohesive storytelling style of its veteran production team.