Kujira no Josephina

Kujira no Josephina, or Josephina the Whale, was produced by Ashi Productions and debuted on Japanese television in 1979. The series is part of a wave of late-1970s Japanese animation that adapted international children's literature for an episodic television format. It follows the whimsical and sentimental journey of a young girl and her companion, a magical whale, navigating a series of adventurous encounters.

The production reflects the characteristic aesthetic of late 1970s cel animation, prioritizing soft character designs and episodic narratives intended for a younger demographic. While it was produced during a highly prolific period for Ashi Productions, the series remains a niche entry in the studio's extensive catalog, often remembered more for its distinct, melancholic atmosphere than for its broad commercial impact upon its initial broadcast.