Around the World with Willy Fog

Around the World with Willy Fog is a 1987 television series produced by the Japanese studio Nippon Animation in collaboration with the Spanish production house BRB Internacional. The series is a faithful, anthropomorphic adaptation of Jules Verne's 1872 classic novel, Around the World in Eighty Days. It emerged during a period of prolific international co-productions between Japanese animation studios and European companies, a strategy designed to blend high-quality cel animation with culturally resonant source material for a global audience.

The character designs, which famously depict Willy Fog as a lion and his companion Rigodon as a cat, were developed to appeal to children while maintaining the distinct visual sensibilities of the era's animation style. The production was directed by Fumio Kurokawa and featured a soundtrack that became iconic in several markets, particularly in Spain and Latin America. Upon its release, the series was received as a charming and accessible educational adventure, notable for its commitment to the geographical and mechanical challenges presented in the original text.