Taotao (1984)
A gentle Japanese-Chinese animated adventure following Taotao, an endearing little panda, across 52 charming episodes for young viewers.
Taotao - Series Information
- Original Title: タオタオ絵本館 世界動物ばなし
- First Air Year: 1984
- Last Air Year: 1986
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Kids
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (24 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 52
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: January 28, 1984 (Germany)
- Networks: TV Osaka
- Alternative Titles: Tao Tao (DE), Taotao ehonkan sekai doubutsu-banashi (JP), Tao Tao (CA), טאו-טאו: דוב הפנדה הקטן (IL)
- Production Companies: Shunmao, Apollo Film, TV Osaka
- Production Countries: Japan
Taotao - Plot
Taotao is an anime series aired for 26 episodes on TV Osaka from October 7, 1983 through March 30, 1984. A second series with the same title was aired from October 9, 1984 through April 9, 1985. Prior to the TV series, an anime film was released on December 26, 1981. They were produced as a Chinese-Japanese joint venture and directed by Shuichi Nakahara and Tatsuo Shimamura. The series is about the eponymous Taotao, a small panda.
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Taotao - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- TARAKO
- Taeko Nakanishi
- Toru Furuya
- Minori Matsushima
Writers
- Keiji Kubota
- Nobuko Morita
- Osamu Kagami
- Takeshi Shudo
- Kazuo Miyamoto
Taotao - FAQs
What is Taotao about?
Taotao follows the adventures of a lovable little panda named Taotao. Produced as a Chinese-Japanese joint venture and directed by Shuichi Nakahara and Tatsuo Shimamura, the series blends gentle storytelling with animal-world exploration, making it a charming watch for young audiences and fans of classic anime.
Is Taotao a Chinese or Japanese anime series?
Taotao is both — it was produced as a Chinese-Japanese joint venture, a relatively rare collaboration for its era. The animation was handled with involvement from Chinese studio Apollo Film alongside Japanese partners, giving the series a distinctive cross-cultural identity that set it apart from typical 1980s anime productions.
How many episodes does Taotao have?
Taotao comprises 52 episodes across its single season. The series originally aired in two runs on TV Osaka — the first from October 1983 through March 1984, and a second series running from October 1984 through April 1985, together forming the complete 52-episode collection.
Who voices the main characters in Taotao?
The voice cast features TARAKO as the young panda Tao Tao, Taeko Nakanishi as Tao Tao's mother, Toru Furuya as Beaver, and Minori Matsushima as Kiki. TARAKO is especially well known to anime fans as the original voice of Chibi Maruko-chan.
When did Taotao first air?
The series first aired on January 28, 1984, in Germany, while its Japanese broadcast on TV Osaka began on October 7, 1983. Before the TV series, an anime film based on the same characters was released in Japan on December 26, 1981.
Was Taotao popular outside Japan?
Yes, Taotao found a devoted audience well beyond Japan. The series was broadcast in Germany under the title Tao Tao, where it became particularly beloved, and also reached Canada and Israel. Its gentle panda-centered stories and cross-cultural origins gave it broad international appeal during the mid-1980s.
Did Taotao have a film before the TV series?
Yes — before the TV series launched, an anime film featuring the same panda character was released in Japan on December 26, 1981. The film served as the creative foundation for the television adaptation that followed, introducing audiences to Taotao's world ahead of the full series.
What are some shows similar to Taotao?
If you enjoyed Taotao's gentle, animal-focused storytelling, you might also love Snorks, Muppet Babies, or Clifford the Big Red Dog — all warm, imaginative animated series aimed at younger viewers. Rugrats and All Grown Up! offer a similar sense of childhood wonder with a slightly more comedic edge.
More About Taotao
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