Maya the Bee (1975)

A charming Japanese-Austrian animated classic about a curious young bee discovering friendship and wonder in the natural world.

Maya the Bee - Series Information

  • Original Title: みつばちマーヤの冒険
  • First Air Year: 1975
  • Last Air Year: 1983
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Action, Adventure, Animation
  • Content Rating (US): TV-Y
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 25 minutes
  • Number of Seasons: 2
  • Number of Episodes: 104
  • Status: Ended
  • Original Language: Japanese
  • Spoken Languages: Japanese
  • First Air Date: April 1, 1975 (United States - NR), April 1, 1975 (Canada - C), April 1, 1975 (Germany - 0), April 1, 1975 (India - U), April 1, 1975 (Australia - G), April 1, 1975 (Mexico - AA), April 1, 1975 (Italy - T), April 1, 1975 (Spain - TP), April 1, 1975 (South Korea - ALL)
  • Networks: tv asahi
  • Alternative Titles: 玛雅历险记 (CN), Maya the Honey Bee (UK), مغامرات زينة ونحول (United Arab Emirates), Maja, a méhecske (HU), 마야의 모험 (KR), Mitsubachi Māya no Bōken (JP)
  • Production Companies: Nippon Animation, Wako Productions, Apollo Film, Zuiyo
  • Production Countries: Austria, Japan

Maya the Bee - Plot

The adventures of a young and happy bee who is sent by her queen to search for pollen, and in doing so she finds a new world that surrounds her, making friends with various forest creatures.

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Maya the Bee - Cast & Crew

Main Cast

  • Michiko Nomura
  • Masako Nozawa
  • Ichiro Nagai
  • Mina Tominaga
  • Miyoko Asou
  • Terue Nunami

Maya the Bee - FAQs

What is Maya the Bee about?

Maya the Bee follows a spirited young bee dispatched by her queen to gather pollen. Along the way she explores a rich natural world, forming friendships with beetles, grasshoppers, and other forest creatures. The series celebrates curiosity, kindness, and the wonders of the natural environment.

Where can I watch Maya the Bee?

Maya the Bee is available to stream in the United States via FilmBox Live on Amazon Channel. You can compare all current viewing options and regional availability by visiting the JustWatch page for the series.

Is Maya the Bee based on a book?

Yes. Maya the Bee is based on the 1912 German novel 'The Adventures of Maya the Bee' (Die Biene Maja und ihre Abenteuer) by author Waldemar Bonsels. The beloved children's book was adapted into this Japanese-Austrian animated series in 1975 by Nippon Animation and Zuiyo.

Who voices Maya in the 1975 series?

Maya is voiced by Michiko Nomura in the original Japanese production. Other key voice performances include Masako Nozawa as Willy, Ichiro Nagai as Phillip, Mina Tominaga as Mary, Miyoko Asou as Cassandra, and Terue Nunami as Techra.

How many episodes does Maya the Bee have?

The original Maya the Bee series consists of 104 episodes spread across two seasons, each containing 52 episodes. Each episode runs approximately 25 minutes, making the full series a substantial and richly detailed animated adventure for young audiences.

When did Maya the Bee first air?

Maya the Bee first aired on April 1, 1975, on the Japanese network TV Asahi. The series ran until 1983 and was subsequently broadcast in numerous countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, becoming a globally recognized children's animation classic.

What is the content rating for Maya the Bee?

Maya the Bee carries a TV-Y content rating in the United States, indicating it is suitable for all children. The series features gentle storytelling, positive themes of friendship and exploration, and no content that would be inappropriate for the youngest viewers.

What are shows similar to Maya the Bee?

Fans of Maya the Bee may also enjoy Vicky the Viking (1974), Alfred J. Kwak (1989), Alice in Wonderland (1983), and the modern reboot Maya the Bee (2013). These series share a similar spirit of childhood adventure, nature-based storytelling, and endearing animated characters.

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