Robotan (1966 TV Series)

Aired: 1966 - 1968

The first TV anime series (monochrome) produced jointly by Daikoh Pro, Sun Production, A Pro and several other production companies. A maid-robot gag anime based on Kenji Morita's original work. Broadcast in 104 episodes (195 segments) on the Fuji TV network from October 4, 1966 to September 27, 1968. Clunky housekeeping robot Robotan (voiced by Hyosuke Kanbe) moves in with Kan-chan (voiced by Yoko Mitsui)'s family, where he is loved as a family member while repeatedly making comical mistakes in this everyday comedy. Robotan moves on small wheels and can fly using an umbrella on his head (though usually unsuccessfully), with the retro and humorous setting as its hallmark. In 1986, a 33-episode color remake (second series) was produced on the Yomiuri TV / Nippon TV network. The work is positioned as a representative source of the 'living room robot' lineage in Japanese robot anime, eschewing mechanical grandeur. (C)Kenji Morita / Daikoh