54 Classic Animated Series We Who Were Born in the 70s Must Remember (3)
18. Japanese animated series "Dragon Son Taro"
【Original Title】Taro of the Dragon
【Release Year】1979
【Production Company】Toei Animation
【Country of Origin】Japan
【Total Episodes】Single episode
【Synopsis】
Because she stole and ate someone else's food, Asumi, who was pregnant, was punished by the gods and turned into a dragon, as recommended in anime "5". After giving birth to Dragon Son Taro, Asumi quietly left her original village. Years later, Taro grew up. To find his mother who had turned into a dragon, Taro embarked on a tortuous adventure. Along the way, Taro defeated the black demon that was terrorizing the countryside, rescued the village maiden Ai, punished the selfish landlord Oba-san, and shared the delicious rice with everyone; he evaded the fierce Mountain Grandma and Snow Woman... Finally, he met his mother... The love for rice balls, physical strength of Dragon Son Taro, the beautiful White Dragon Mother, and the drum-loving Red Demon are all vivid characters that captivated young viewers back then. Additionally, due to the translation direction by Professor Su Xiu and participation from many famous voice actors, this film became a classic in the history of translated animation movies.
19. American animated series "Spiral Zone"
【Original Title】Spiral Zone
【Release Year】1987
【Production Companies】Atlantic-Kushner-Locke/The Maltese Companies/Orbis Communications
【Country of Origin】United States
【Total Episodes】65 episodes
【Synopsis】
Perhaps because this show feels rather dark, or because it aired for only a short period back then, most viewers have a faint impression of "Spiral Zone." Before anthrax became a headline issue and before concerns about KB molecules using biochemical weapons for KB attacks arose, actually, as early as the 80s, there was an animated series that portrayed all this. Our worst imaginings of the KB threat became reality in "Spiral Zone." In the foreseeable future, an evil organization called "Black Widow" released an infectious bacterium globally that could control human minds. This biological agent spread globally in a spiral pattern, already covering nearly half of the Earth. Infected areas were marked as spiral zones, and infected humans were called "zone people," mindless slaves controlled by Black Widow. To counter Black Widow, an international elite team called "Zone Knights" was formed, consisting of various countries from the free world. Zone Knights were selected from special forces around the world. Equipped with specially made armor to protect them from bacterial infections, their mission is to save the world by fighting against Black Widow and their evil power.
20. Japanese animated series "Maya the Bee"
【Original Title】Adventure of Maya
【Release Year】1975 (Japan also has another version from 1981. Unable to verify which version was introduced at the time)
【Production Company】Nippon Animation
【Country of Origin】Japan
【Total Episodes】52 episodes
【Synopsis】
Maya is an extraordinary little bee who, from the moment of her birth, is filled with curiosity about everything around her. She can't understand the countless rules of the bee world and doesn't want to just obediently follow them. Maya wants to know everything and always asks why. She yearns for independence and desires to explore the unknown world. One day, she finally leaves her hometown to go on adventures far away, and her best friend joins her journey. Along the way, Maya meets all sorts of strange insects and witnesses the wonders and beauties of nature: happy, sad, thrilling, funny... This unimaginable journey opens their eyes and allows the innocent little bee to start growing stronger... Originally aired on CCTV during the early evening slot on weekends, the Chinese translation of the theme song was very catchy and popular among children at the time. Note, this version was introduced long ago, not the '90s version titled "The Little Bee" that aired later. I am now twenty-seven years old, and remember watching it when I was in kindergarten but couldn't recall its name until now!
21. American animated series "Tom and Jerry"
【Original Title】Tom and Jerry / Tom and Jerry Kids Show
【Release Year】1940/1990
【Production Companies】Metro-Goldwyn Mayer (MGM)/Hanna-Barbera Studios
【Country of Origin】United States
【Total Episodes】Exact number of episodes unknown
【Synopsis】
There’s no need to elaborate much on the content of this show. It should be noted that back then, local stations aired this show first, followed by CCTV's hot broadcast. These versions, namely MGM's "TOM AND JERRY," were soon followed by CCTV airing a new version of "Tom and Jerry." Careful viewers would notice that the main characters, Tom and Jerry, appear smaller in this version, commonly known as the "Little Cat and Little Mouse" version. This version is largely similar to the MGM version but seems less popular than the previous one. It aired for only three short years (1990-1993) in the United States alone. CCTV introduced it in the early '90s, which could be considered "globally synchronized." However, the opening of this show is absolutely brilliant and shouldn't be missed. In early 2006, the "Little Cat and Little Mouse" (Tom and Jerry Kids Show) was rebroadcast on CCTV's Big Windmill program.
22. Chinese Name: "Mofli - The Last Koala in the World"
【Original Title】Mofli, el último koala
【Release Year】1986
【Production Company】Unknown
【Country of Origin】Spain
【Total Episodes】13 episodes, each 30 minutes
【Synopsis】
This is a story set in Australia. Its purpose is to promote animal protection and nature conservation. However, it always gives the audience a sense of sadness, perhaps unconsciously revealing the sorrow within the creators' hearts, as awakening people to protect animals is indeed a difficult task. The main character, Mofli, is a lovable koala. He has two human friends, a little girl and a little boy, who often call out Mofli's name crisply to play with him. The butterfly-filled waterfall is their secret refuge with Mofli. The girl's father is a disabled painter who also runs a pub and likes drinking beer. He has a gorilla-faced employee who is honest but dim-witted, often drunk to oblivion.
Quiet lives don't last long. At the beginning of the 21st century, reporter Robert Detroit revealed Mofli's living conditions to the public: the last remaining koala lived in the Rivermind forest, located in a small Australian town. The circus owner Trombonetti and his assistant Paolo went to Rivermind to capture this koala named Mofli to make their circus more attractive. Meanwhile, Rebecca and her father along with their dedicated hunter Ivan also arrived at Rivermind, wanting to hunt Mofli as a trophy.
23. Japanese animated series "Little Triton"
【Original Title】Sea of Triton
【Release Year】1972
【Production Company】Staff Room
【Country of Origin】Japan
【Total Episodes】27 episodes
【Synopsis】
About 5000 years ago, on the Atlantic Ocean, there was an island inhabited by those who loved the peace of the marine world. Atlantis, disappeared mysteriously overnight. Located at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, once home to the Flying Dragon clan, their ruler entrusted their only son to the white dolphin Luca, sending him to a fishing village to be raised by humans. After thirteen years, Al Zhong has grown into a youth possessing human wisdom and courage. (Opening narration)
Al Zhong has come, Al Zhong has come, Al Zhong has come to the Atlantic! (Jellyfish knocking rocks underwater again!)
Flying Dragon Sword, shining brightly! (Al Zhong's words)
Thirteen years ago, in a seaside village in Japan, a fisherman found a baby in a cave under the sea cliff. When he brought out the baby, he saw a white dolphin. Thirteen years later, the baby grew into a robust youth, and the white dolphin reappeared, accompanied by giant sea monsters. To avoid involving his grandfather in the village and to uncover his own origins, the youth Al Zhong put on a red cape, carrying a luminous Flying Dragon sword, following the white dolphin to find the sea turtle Medon. At Medon's place, Al Zhong received his parents' will but was confused, unwilling to abandon his identity as a land dweller. He even once thought of giving up revenge and returning to his birthplace. But eventually, facing the pursuit of the Bordon clan and Medon's sacrifice, he realized he had no choice. Gradually mastering combat techniques, he began his journey towards his homeland - the Atlantic. Along the way, the enemies and friends he encountered were closely related to the two races of the past and even had deep memories...
24. Japanese animated series "Mimi's Journey"
【Original Title】Without a Home
【Release Year】1977
【Production Company】Tokyo Movie Shinsha
【Country of Origin】Japan
【Total Episodes】52 episodes
【Synopsis】
Not afraid of rain, not afraid of snow, even if cold winds and heavy snow fall, as long as I can see him, see him every day, no matter how strong the wind and snow, I'm not afraid. I want to find my dad, wherever I go, I want to find my dad. My good dad hasn't been found, if you see him, please tell him to come home. (Opening song)
Born into a wealthy British family, Mimi was abandoned in France as a baby due to inheritance issues over the family fortune. She was then found and raised by a poor French farming family. However, due to financial difficulties, Mimi was sold by her adoptive father to the wandering entertainer Master Peng. Mimi followed Master Peng and his troupe, consisting of a white dog, a black dog, and a clever monkey, wandering across the country while searching for her real family... Although more than ten years have passed, "Mimi's Journey" remains unmatched in its artistic cinematography, music, and touching plot. This work is a classic motivational piece.
The theme song sung by Sun Jiaying seems to have surpassed the movie itself in fame, but it must be emphasized that the lyrics are inaccurate (this misleading lyric is actually a cover of the Hong Kong version theme song). In the end, Mimi finds her birth mother.
【Theme Song】
No fear of falling rain,
No fear of falling snow,
Even if cold winds and heavy snow fall,
I can see him,
I can see him every day,
No matter how strong the wind and snow,
I want to find my dad,
Wherever I go, I want to find my dad,
My good dad hasn't been found,
If you see him, please tell him to come home...
