The first film is the 9th theater version of “The Counterattack of the Adult Empire.” The story is about adults who miss the old days in Japan. There are Ken and Chaco, who loathe the present and miss the 20th century. One day, in the town of Kasukabe, they build a place called “The 20th Century Museum.” Adults fall into nostalgia because it reproduces the 20th century so accurately. Driven by the scent of the 20th century, they are trapped inside the museum and children go there to find their parents. In the process of rescuing them, Zzang-gu finds his father at a young age. Zzang-gu makes him smell his shoes, which acts as a reminder of the present, and his father comes back immediately to being an adult. Smelling his shoes, Zzang-gu’s father thinks of bygone days, from childhood to adult life. It reminds us that although it’s hard to live, we are able to live a happy life because of harmonious family relationships. The nostalgic pleasurable past is also good, but the film shows us that we can love each other as a family by living in the present and develop as individuals as we move into the future.

  The second film is the 22nd theater version of “The Great Game! Counterattack of Robot Dad.” This film got its motif from contemporary fathers of Japan whose place is weakening in home. The police officer of the village is ill treated at home and establishes a plan called “Raising Japan Again” by making a robot called “Tetkenji” and a company called “Beautiful Daddy.” Zzang-gu’s dad hurts his back and passes by. In there, he gets anesthesia and a robot with his memory is born. Robot dad lives a happy life because he takes care of his
family well and is recognized by the company. Not long after, however, the village comes under the control of a gang and weak fathers are brainwashed. Then the real father shows up and strives to defend his family. During this time, the interest of the family is concentrated on him. Robot dad is deeply embarrassed by the fact that he’s just a copy of
the human, but recovers his senses soon. In the process of defeating the villain, he completely breaks down. This film of a person struggling to protect his family, no matter who they are, reveals the love of fathers toward their families. It sends a message of cheer to shrunken fathers and makes families realize the importance of patriarchs.

  The third film is the 10th theater version of “The Storm Called: The Battle of the Warring State.” One day, Zzanggu finds a letter that was written in 1502 in his backyard. The next thing he knows, he arrives at “Dducknip Castle” in the Warring States Period. Suddenly, when he arrives, he meets assassins who are trying to assassinate a warrior. The assassins are discovered and Zzanggu saves the life of a warrior called “Bi-ryong." As a
result, Zzang-gu’s family stays with Bi-ryong. Bi-ryong loves Princess Yeon-hee, but the love can’t be realized because of the class difference between him and the princess. Zzang-gu understands his dilemma, and they make a “man’s promise” to never speak of the situation. After a while, a battle starts with “Heukho” Castle, and on the way back after winning the battle, Bi-ryong is killed by an arrow that comes from nowhere. He realizes that
the arrow was supposed to strike him when he first met with Zzang-gu. Also, he realizes that meeting with Zzanggu gained him time to protect his lover and the castle. Zzang-gu cries and with his dagger pledges to keep the “man’s promise.” In that instant, Zzang-gu realizes that sometimes love cannot be achieved and sometimes destiny cannot be resisted when previously he had looked for love only as a child. The film allows us to think about fate and destiny.

  The fourth film is the 15th theater version of “The Storm Called: The Singing Buttocks Bomb.” Zzang-gu’s family is going for a summer vacation in Okinawa. While Zzang-gu and a dog called “Heuindungi” are playing with a beach ball, a bomb falls from space into the dog’s behind. This unidentified buttocks bomb has the firepower to blow up the entire planet, so an international space technology association, “Engka,” insists on sending the buttocks bomb into space with the dog. The family cannot leave the dog, so they begin to run away to avoid “Engka.” They run away to protect the dog, and they get hurt and injured. On a rainy day, under a bridge over a river, Zzang-gu tires out and says the words “I will protect you forever" to the dog and the dog was willing to sacrifice himself to save Zzang-gu. Zzang-gu, who considers the dog as a real family member, keeps the dog, and cherishes life. It shows the contradiction in our society in which pets are often let go and abandoned. Therefore, let’s have a look at ourselves again.

  If you only know Zzang-gu as a prankster, you should watch the above theater versions and focus on the touching elements in the movies. It is the 25th anniversary of Zzang-gu, and we have grown up together because we are in our twenties. It is a cartoon which is fun to watch and reminds us of the phrase “Follow the child and the adult cries out.”