Puss-in-Boots: Travels Around the World in 80 Days

Released in 1976, Puss-in-Boots: Travels Around the World in 80 Days stands as the third feature-length entry in Toei Animation’s popular Puss-in-Boots film series. Following the success of the 1969 original and its 1972 sequel, the studio sought to capitalize on the character's status as a corporate mascot by placing him in an ambitious, globetrotting adventure that loosely reimagined Jules Verne’s classic literary work. This iteration leaned heavily into the whimsical, comedic style that defined Toei's family-oriented output during the mid-1970s.

The film was directed by Hiroshi Shidara, a veteran of the studio who worked to maintain the continuity of the series' visual identity while integrating new characters such as the iconic villain trio. The production design reflects the aesthetic sensibilities of Japanese animation of the era, emphasizing expressive character movement and vibrant, painterly backgrounds. Upon its release, it was received as a lighthearted expansion of the franchise that solidified the protagonist, Pero, as one of the most recognizable figures in the history of Japanese animation.