Belle and Sebastian - The 1981 Japanese animated series

April 12 2024

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Belle and Sebastian (名犬ジョリィ, Meiken Jorī, Jolie the Famous Dog) is a Japanese animated series (anime) adaptation of the 1965 novel Belle et Sébastien by French author Cécile Aubry. The series first aired on the Japanese network NHK from April 7, 1981 to June 22, 1982. It consists of 52 episodes and was a co-production between MK Company, Visual 80 Productions and Toho Company, Ltd. Toshiyuki Kashiwakura was the head screenwriter, while the characters designer was Shuichi Seki.

In Italy it was broadcast for the first time starting from April 1981 on Italia 1 and is considered one of the best 80s cartoons. The show was broadcast on French and Japanese television in 1981, with the American cable network Nickelodeon in 1984. In the UK, it aired on the BBC for children in 1989 and 1990.

Many artists and animators of the Nippon Animation staff, engaged in the World Masterpiece Theater series, were used to make this anime. In this way, a graphic style similar to that of Nippon Animation's original World Masterpiece Theater was achieved. This animation studio was never officially involved in the making of the series.

The story of Belle and Sebastien

It is the story of Sebastien, a little boy who lives with his grandfather in a small village in the Pyrenees. He has no friends because he is made fun of by other children, for not having a mother. Sebastien is a boy who, despite his grandfather's attentions, feels a lot of sadness due to the distance of his mother who works in a circus and is therefore subject to constant movements. One day Sebastian finds a beautiful white Pyrenean Shepherd dog, whom he will call Belle as a female. He soon realizes that that docile dog is wanted by the police, as he has been accused of attacking a person who was actually helping. Belle, Sebastien and her little dog Poochie then set off around the various villages in search of Sebastien's mother. On this trip they will make various encounters of both friends and cheaters, but the boy's greatest and sincere friend will surely be the dog Belle with whom he will establish a deep bond of friendship. The very famous logo which has accompanied several generations of children

Characters of Belle and Sebastien

Sebastian

Sebastian is a 9 year old boy from a French village near the mountains. His name was chosen because he was born on the day of San Sebastian. Since he was born, he has lived with his adoptive grandfather, Caesar and Angelina, Caesar's true granddaughter. He is good-natured and energetic, but the kids in town make fun of him because he doesn't have a real mother. Sebastian's greatest wishes are to find his mother and have a good friend.

Beautiful

Belle ("Jolie" in the Japanese version) is a large white Pyrenean dog who fled to the French countryside. He is kind and kindhearted, but his attempts to help those in need are misunderstood. She is labeled "The White Monster" and the police are constantly looking for her to suppress her.

Poochie / Pucci

Poochie is such a small puppy dog that it fits in Sebastian's pocket. Although Poochie is always barking and having a good time, he is a good friend to Sebastian and Belle.

Cecil / Caesar

Caesar adopted Sebastian as a child and acts like his real grandfather. He is a loving mentor who teaches him everything he knows about the mountains and the desert.

angelina / Anne-Marie

Angelina is Caesar's granddaughter who has helped him take care of Sebastian since he was born. She considers herself to be her mother, despite being the age of an older sister at best. She loves him deeply, but she is often overprotective and a little harsh towards him.

Jeans / Paul

Jean is Angelina's older brother. He is a soldier in the mountain army.

Isabel

Isabel is Sebastian's real mother, a traveling Roma. She went against the Gypsy code and married a stranger, but he died before Sebastian was born. She had raised him secretly in the mountains and promised to come back for him someday when his people would be able to understand.

Lena / Sarah

Lena is a sick and lonely girl who lives in Spain and whom Sebastian meets during his trip. They both crave to play with friends their age, so they quickly become friends. Her father is a very rich man, who gives her everything she could want, but the only thing that can make Lena happy is to have a true friend. He reappears several times during his journey to help out Sebastien. Towards the end of the series we see Lena celebrating her 9th birthday, which means maybe she's just a month older than Sebastian himself.
Over the course of the series, a romantic bond is formed between Sebastian and Lena, and it is strongly implied that the two got married once they grew up and later lived happily ever after, with Belle still by their side.

Doctor Guillaume / Doctor Alexander Phillips

Doctor Guillaume is a local doctor in the village where Sebastian lives, he is also Angelina's boyfriend.

Jose Albert

Mr. Albert is Lena's father, a wealthy man, highly respected in the community and does not like dogs. He slowly becomes attached to Belle and Poochie after helping Lena recover from her illness.
His love for his daughter ensures his willingness to help the fugitives, even if only for her own good. We find out later that he is actually in love with and a longtime fan of Isabel, admitting that he was the man who sent her the red roses in Barcelona. It is implied that a romantic attachment is growing between the couple and that their children approve!

Robert and Maria

Robert and Maria are servants at Mr. Albert's house. Robert is the butler and sometimes the driver, while Maria is the housekeeper. They seem to love each other but refuse to admit it, not even to themselves.

The Carlos Company

The Carlos Company is a band of gypsies that Sebastian's mother, Isabel, travels with. Isabel is in fact their main interpreter for her beauty and her wonderful voice. He also makes and repairs the company's costumes. A skill that she uses with good results, when she creates a wonderful wedding dress for Angelina.

Hernandez and Fernandez

Hernandez and Fernandez are a recurring duo of scammers, who are trying to catch Belle in order to aim for a big rapid that will bring fame, fortune and popularity.

Oscar and Johnny

Oscar is a street performer who uses his extraordinary strength as a circus phenomenon, breaking the chains wrapped around his body. Johnny is Oscar's son and he's also an actor, but he doesn't have his strength. His skill is that of balance and agility. They were members of the Carlos company and Oscar still has a candle in his heart for Isabel. And a picture of her in the trunk she gives to Sebastian.

Inspector Garcia

Inspector Garcia is a Spanish police officer and is always on the trail of Belle and Sebastian. He is stout built and has a thin mustache.

Officer Martin

Agent Martin is the inspector's assistant and a very clumsy man.

Commander Costello

Costello is the head of the Spanish border guards and bears a strong resemblance to Fidel Castro.

Episode titles

A misunderstood friend
A friendship is born
Merciless hunting
Escape over the border
A bad encounter
In prison!
Thanks Lena
Promise at sunset
Farewell to Lena
Thieves on the farm
Sweet Pippi
Grandfather Cortes
An adventure in the city
An act of courage
Friendship with a burglar
Grandfather's sea
The ship's secret
Unforgettable days
The ghost of the old castle
The ghost's revenge
The devil's follower
Fuga disperata
A witness
A magician thief
The race of hope
The scarf
Belle in the flames
After the fire
The railway of destiny
The escape
The river a flood
The portrait of the mother
The break up
Back Belle
The pursuit
Goodbye Belle
The flight of hope
A cruel lie
The unhealthy water of the Sierra Nevada
They captured Belle
Belle is doomed
Rescue operation
A train to the Pyrenees
The fantastic Carole
Costume party
The great climb
On the way home
Storm between the rocks
A desperate message
The end of the hunt
The decision
The blue sky of the Pyrenees

Technical data

Original title Famous dog Jolly Meiken Jorii
Author Cécile Aubry
Regia Kenji Hayakawa
Subject Mitsuru Majima, Toshiyuki Kashiwakura, Youji Yoshikawa
character design Shuichi Seki
Music Akihiro komori
Studio MK Company
Data NHK April 7, 1981 - June 22, 1982
Episodes 52
Broadcast in Italy Northern Antenna – Italy 1 April 1981