As I did one for 1982 (and will do ones for the remaining years that Urusei Yatsura was on the telly), here’s a belated one for 1981, the year UY debuted on TV. Classy World Masterpiece Theatre type shows, humour shows and robot shows abound.
Belle & Sebastian
Dash Kappei
Dr. Slump
Flone On The Marvellous Island aka Swiss Family Robinson
Gold Lightan
GOSHOGUN
Hello Sandybell
It’s disturbing how much the dog flying resembles Gundam’s White Base…
Honey Honey’s Wonderful Adventures
Beast King GoLion
Hey it’s Lion Voltron!
Chie The Brat
Maicching Machiko-sensei
Another Studio Pierrot series that started around the time UY did. I used to get a lot of search engine hits from people looking for this title, but I suspect they were after the more recent live action adaptation.
Manga Mito Komon
I like how Mito Komon himself seems pushed right into the background, in favour of his samurai sidekicks. Not to mention his kid sidekick and cartoon dog!
Ninja Hattori-kun
Ohayo! Spank
Can’t find a decent copy of the Japanese opening, so here are the ending credits. However you can see the German opening here – Hallo Kurt.
Queen Millennia
God Mars
Saikyo Robo Daioja
Take a look at the Manga Mito Komon OP before watching this OP. Because this is Mito Komon too. But with a giant robot.
Fang of The Sun Dougram
Woof Woof Three Musketeers
Hey, it’s Dogtanian!
Tiger Mask II
Wikipedia tells me this had guest stars from the New Japan roster of the time. I think I need to see the anime Abdullah the Butcher now.
Yattodetaman
The fifth series in the Time Bokan franchise.
Superbook
Talking of Time Bokan, Tatsunoko also produced this Christian variation on the formula with the US Christian Broadcasting Network.
Ulysses 31
Another “religious” international co-production, though this series’ religious inspiration are ancient Greek Myths.
