Dokaben (1976)
A landmark Japanese anime series from 1976, adapting Shinji Mizushima's iconic baseball manga across 163 memorable episodes.
Dokaben - Series Information
- Original Title: ドカベン
- First Air Year: 1976
- Last Air Year: 1979
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 25 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 163
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Networks: Fuji TV
- Production Companies: Nippon Animation
- Production Countries: Japan
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Dokaben - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Minoru Yada
- Osamu Ichikawa
- Katsuji Mori
- Hiroko Maruyama
- Minori Matsushima
- Hideyuki Tanaka
- Tessyo Genda
- Yoshito Yasuhara
- Reizō Nomoto
- Kaneta Kimotsuki
Writers
- Mitsuru Majima
- Tatsuo Tamura
Dokaben - FAQs
What is Dokaben about?
Dokaben is a classic Japanese anime adaptation of Shinji Mizushima's beloved manga series, following the adventures of Taro Yamada, a powerfully built high school baseball catcher nicknamed 'Dokaben,' and his teammates as they compete in Japan's fiercely competitive high school baseball circuit.
Is Dokaben based on a manga?
Dokaben is directly adapted from Shinji Mizushima's long-running manga of the same name, which ran in Weekly Shōnen Champion from 1972 to 1981. The manga is one of the most iconic baseball stories in Japanese comics history and inspired multiple anime adaptations over the decades.
How many episodes does Dokaben have?
Dokaben ran for 163 episodes across a single season, airing from 1976 to 1979. That impressive episode count reflects just how popular the series was during its original broadcast run on Fuji TV in Japan.
Who are the main voice actors in Dokaben?
The voice cast includes Minoru Yada, Osamu Ichikawa, Katsuji Mori, Hiroko Maruyama, Minori Matsushima, Hideyuki Tanaka, Tessyo Genda, Yoshito Yasuhara, Reizō Nomoto, and Kaneta Kimotsuki, bringing the colorful cast of characters to life throughout the series.
What network aired Dokaben originally?
Dokaben originally aired on Fuji TV in Japan, one of the country's major commercial television networks. The series was produced by Nippon Animation, a studio renowned for bringing beloved manga and literary works to life in animated form during the 1970s and beyond.
Is Dokaben considered a classic anime?
Without question. Dokaben holds a cherished place in anime history as one of the defining sports anime of the 1970s. Its faithful adaptation of Mizushima's manga, combined with its long run of 163 episodes, cemented its status as a landmark series in Japanese animation and baseball culture.
What are some anime series similar to Dokaben?
Fans of Dokaben may enjoy other anime series with spirited ensemble casts and competitive storylines, such as Shin Chan, Peach Girl, and Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki. For more classic animation in a similar vein, Street Fighter II: V and Zenki also offer action-driven entertainment rooted in manga traditions.
When did Dokaben first air and when did it end?
Dokaben premiered in 1976 and concluded in 1979, running for three years on Fuji TV. Produced by Nippon Animation, the series delivered 163 episodes over its single season, making it one of the longer-running anime productions of its era.
More About Dokaben
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