3000 Leagues in Search of Mother (1976)
A beloved 1976 Japanese anime following young Marco's courageous solo journey across Argentina to find his missing mother.
3000 Leagues in Search of Mother - Series Information
- Original Title: 母をたずねて三千里
- First Air Year: 1976
- Last Air Year: 1976
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Family
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 25 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 52
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: January 4, 1976 (Mexico - A), January 4, 1976 (Spain - 7), January 4, 1976 (South Korea - ALL)
- Networks: Tokyo Channel 12
- Alternative Titles: 엄마 찾아 삼만리 (KR), Marco dos Apeninos aos Andes (PT), 万里寻亲记 (CN), מרקו (IL), Marco, de los Apeninos a los Andes (UY), Haha wo tazunete san senri (JP), Marco: From the Apennines to the Andes (US)
- Production Companies: Nippon Animation
- Production Countries: Japan
3000 Leagues in Search of Mother - Plot
Italy is in a deep depression, so to support her family, Marco's mother goes to Argentina to work as a domestic. But after she writes to her family that she is sick, her letters stop coming. So Marco decides to go to Argentina to look for her. He travels across Argentina to find her, meeting many wonderful people, and having many adventures during his journey.
3000 Leagues in Search of Mother - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a glimpse of Marco's extraordinary journey below.
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3000 Leagues in Search of Mother - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Edmondo De Amicis
Main Cast
- Yoshiko Matsuo
- Kazuyuki Sogabe
- Yukiko Nikaido
- Kiyoshi Kawakubo
- Akiko Tsuboi
- Noriko Ohara
- Mie Azuma
- Ichiro Nagai
- Mieko Nobusawa
- Akio Nojima
Writers
- Edmondo De Amicis
Executive Producers
- Koichi Motohashi
3000 Leagues in Search of Mother - FAQs
Is 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother based on a book?
The series draws from a chapter in Edmondo De Amicis's 1886 Italian novel Cuore, specifically the story 'Dagli Appennini alle Ande' (From the Apennines to the Andes). The anime greatly expands that short tale into a full 52-episode journey across South America.
What is 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother about?
Set in late 19th-century Italy, the story follows young Marco Rossi, whose mother travels to Argentina as a domestic worker to help the family survive an economic crisis. When her letters suddenly stop, Marco embarks on a remarkable solo journey across Argentina to find her, encountering kindness and hardship along the way.
Who are the main voice actors in this series?
The principal voice cast includes Yoshiko Matsuo as Marco Rossi, Kazuyuki Sogabe as Tonio Rossi, Yukiko Nikaido as Anna Rossi, Kiyoshi Kawakubo as Pietro Rossi, Akiko Tsuboi as the Narrator, Noriko Ohara as Concetta, Mie Azuma as Pablo, and Ichiro Nagai as Peppino.
Why is 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother considered emotionally intense?
The series is widely remembered for its deeply emotional storytelling and willingness to portray genuine hardship, loneliness, and grief through a child's eyes. Marco's relentless determination in the face of poverty, illness, and uncertainty resonated strongly with audiences, and the show is known for moving viewers to tears.
How many episodes does 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother have?
The series ran for a single season of 52 episodes, originally broadcast on Tokyo Channel 12 in Japan throughout 1976. Each episode runs approximately 25 minutes, making the complete series a substantial and immersive viewing experience.
Where can you watch 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother?
The series is currently available to stream on Shahid VIP. For a full overview of viewing options available in your region, including any additional platforms or rental services, JustWatch is a reliable resource to check current availability.
What is the connection to Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki?
3000 Leagues in Search of Mother was produced by Nippon Animation and directed by Isao Takahata, with Hayao Miyazaki serving as scene designer and key animator. Both men would later co-found Studio Ghibli, and the series is considered an important milestone in their creative development.
What are some shows similar to 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother?
Fans of this series often enjoy other classic adventure animations such as The Adventures of Tintin, Over the Garden Wall, and The Wild Thornberrys. For more family-friendly animated adventures with heart and humor, Wakfu and Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers are also popular recommendations.
More About 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother
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