The Mysterious Cities of Gold is a historical fantasy adventure anime television series that originally aired from 1982 to 1983 [1][2]. The series follows a group of children as they journey across South America in search of the legendary Cities of Gold [2]. Co-produced by DIC Audiovisuel and Studio Pierrot, it blends historical elements with imaginative science fiction and fantasy concepts [1].
Production#
The Mysterious Cities of Gold was a co-production between France and Japan [1]. French writers Jean Chalopin, Mitsuru Kaneko, Mitsuru Majima, and Sōji Yoshikawa contributed to the writing [1]. The series was directed by Bernard Deyriès and Hisayuki Toriumi and produced by Max Saldinger, Kanae Mayuzumi, and Atsumi Yajima [1]. The original networks to air the show were NHK General TV in Japan and Antenne 2 in France [1]. The music was composed by Shuki Levy, Haim Saban, and Ryuji Sasai [1].Plot#
Set in 1532, the story begins with Esteban, a young boy from Barcelona, joining a Spanish expedition to the New World [2]. Esteban, who can seemingly summon the sun, hopes to discover his father, who disappeared years prior [2]. He is joined by Zia, an Incan girl kidnapped from her convent, and Tao, the last descendant of the sunken empire of Mu [2]. Together, the trio searches for the seven Cities of Gold while evading pursuers and unraveling ancient mysteries [2]. Their quest takes them through jungles, mountains, and ancient ruins as they learn about lost civilizations and their advanced technologies [2].Characters#
The main characters in The Mysterious Cities of Gold are Esteban, Zia, and Tao [2]. * Esteban: An orphaned boy with a connection to the sun, indicated by his ability to summon it seemingly at will [2]. He wears one of the two sun medallions that are keys to finding the Cities of Gold [2].* Zia: An Incan girl with essential knowledge of the Cities of Gold [2]. Kidnapped as a child, she possesses the second sun medallion [2].
* Tao: The last descendant of the lost continent of Mu, he is highly intelligent and resourceful [2]. Tao's knowledge of ancient technology and engineering proves invaluable throughout their journey [2].
Releases#
The Mysterious Cities of Gold has been released on DVD and digital platforms [1][4]. The complete series is available as a 6-DVD set [4]. The series' soundtrack has also been released [1]. A computer game based on the series was also created [1].Legacy#
The series has maintained a dedicated following since its original airing and is remembered for its blend of adventure, history, and science fiction [2]. The Mysterious Cities of Gold resonates with audiences due to its exploration of ancient civilizations, lost technologies, and the bonds of friendship [2]. Some viewers have noted similarities between The Mysterious Cities of Gold and the popular manga and anime series One Piece, particularly regarding the search for a lost city of gold and the concept of a prophesied child of the sun [3].In 2012, a sequel series with the same title was created [1][5]. This new series continued the adventures of Esteban, Zia, and Tao, introducing new characters and exploring new regions of the Americas [5]. The 2012 series consisted of 78 episodes across three seasons and was a co-production between France, Belgium, and Portugal [5].