The Mysterious Cities of Gold
1982 • Studio Pierrot
- Format
- TV
- Aired
- 1982
- Episodes
- 39
- Status
- Finished
- Studio
- Studio Pierrot · DiC Entertainment
- Genres
- Adventure · Science fiction
1532. Esteban (12) is a foundling from Barcelona, with a mysterious power of ordering the Sun to appear, for which he is called "Child of the Sun". Upon the death of his adoptive father, Esteban learns he was rescued as a baby from a sinking ship in the ocean. The mysterious medallion that Esteban wears since ever has a trace somewhere in the New World, probably coming from the Mysterious Cities of Gold. Esteban leaves Spain to find his parents and find out who he is. On the way he meets Zia, an Inca girl who was kidnapped from her people years back and has exactly the same medallion as him. Later on they are joined by Tao, a young Galapagos robinson, the last descendant of the Empire of Heva, an Empire said to have built the Cities of Gold. Following Coyolite, the shining star represented on their medallions, the three children travel through the unexplored New World, searching for the Cities of Gold, believing that this way is leading them to their lost parents.
Synopsis from AniList
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Where it came from
The Mysterious Cities of Gold, known in Japan as Taiyō no Ko Esteban, was produced in 1982 as a collaborative effort between DIC Audiovisuel and Studio Pierrot. Created by Jean Chalopin and Bernard Deyriès, the series was conceived as a historical adventure targeting younger audiences, blending elements of 16th-century exploration with science fiction. The project emerged from a desire to create a high-quality international co-production that balanced educational themes regarding Mesoamerican civilizations with the imaginative scope of early eighties animation.
The design of the series reflects a distinct cross-cultural aesthetic, heavily influenced by the artistic direction of Mitsuru Kaneko and character designs that merged the styles of Japanese animation with European narrative sensibilities. Upon its release, it was lauded for its ambitious world-building and memorable soundtrack, eventually becoming a cult classic in both France and Japan. The series remains significant for its role in bridging global animation markets during a period of transition in the medium.
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