The Mysterious Cities of Gold (1982)
A beloved Franco-Japanese animated adventure following young Esteban's epic quest for legendary golden cities across the New World.
The Mysterious Cities of Gold - Series Information
- Original Title: 太陽の子エステバン
- First Air Year: 1982
- Last Air Year: 2021
- Created by: Soji Yoshikawa, Mitsuru Majima et al.
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Kids, Animation, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-Y7
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 28 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 117
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: June 29, 1982 (United States - TV-Y7), June 29, 1982 (United Kingdom - U), June 29, 1982 (France - TP), June 29, 1982 (South Korea - ALL)
- Networks: NHK G
- Alternative Titles: الأحلام الذهبية (QA), Les mystérieuses cités d'or (BE), Bugel an heol (FR), 神秘黄金城 (CN), As Misteriosas Cidades de Ouro (PT), Taiyō no ko Esuteban (JP)
- Production Companies: Pierrot, DIC, NHK, CLT
- Production Countries: France, Japan
The Mysterious Cities of Gold - Plot
The adventures of a young Spanish boy named Esteban who joins a voyage to the New World in search of the lost Cities of Gold and his father.
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The Mysterious Cities of Gold - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Soji Yoshikawa
- Mitsuru Majima
- Mitsuru Kaneko
- Jean Chalopin
Main Cast
- Rei Sakuma
- Masako Nozawa
- Isao Sasaki
- Junko Hori
- Takeshi Aono
- Kaneta Kimotsuki
- Haruna Ikezawa
- Katsunosuke Hori
- Koichi Chiba
- Hideyuki Umezu
Writers
- Mitsuru Kaneko
- Jean Chalopin
- Soji Yoshikawa
- Bernard Deyriès
- Mitsuru Majima
The Mysterious Cities of Gold - FAQs
Where can you stream The Mysterious Cities of Gold?
The Mysterious Cities of Gold is available to purchase digitally through Amazon Video and Google Play Movies. Availability may vary by region. Check JustWatch for a full and up-to-date list of streaming and purchase options in your area.
Is The Mysterious Cities of Gold based on a true story?
The series is inspired by real historical legends and events, including the 16th-century Spanish conquest of the Americas and the myth of El Dorado — the fabled city of gold. While the characters are fictional, the show weaves genuine Incan, Mayan, and Aztec cultural elements throughout its storytelling.
How many seasons does The Mysterious Cities of Gold have?
The Mysterious Cities of Gold has 4 main seasons plus a collection of specials, totalling 117 episodes overall. Season 1 contains 39 episodes, while Seasons 2, 3, and 4 each contain 26 episodes. The series ran from 1982 to 2021.
Who are the main voice actors in this series?
The original Japanese voice cast includes Masako Nozawa as Esteban, Rei Sakuma as Zia, Isao Sasaki as Mendoza, and Junko Hori as Tao. Supporting voices include Takeshi Aono, Kaneta Kimotsuki, Haruna Ikezawa, Katsunosuke Hori, Koichi Chiba, and Hideyuki Umezu.
What is The Mysterious Cities of Gold about?
The series follows Esteban, a young Spanish orphan, who sets sail for the New World in the 16th century hoping to find both his missing father and the legendary Cities of Gold. Along the way he befriends Zia and Tao, and the trio uncover ancient civilizations, mythical technology, and dangerous adversaries.
Who created The Mysterious Cities of Gold?
The series was created by Soji Yoshikawa, Mitsuru Majima, Mitsuru Kaneko, and Jean Chalopin. It was a Franco-Japanese co-production between animation studios Pierrot and DIC, with broadcaster NHK in Japan and CLT involved in the production.
What is the content rating for The Mysterious Cities of Gold?
The Mysterious Cities of Gold carries a TV-Y7 rating in the United States, indicating it is suitable for children aged 7 and older. It may contain mild fantasy action and adventure elements, but the series is broadly considered family-friendly viewing.
Did The Mysterious Cities of Gold win any awards?
While The Mysterious Cities of Gold did not accumulate a major awards record, it earned widespread critical admiration and lasting cult status in France, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Its blend of historical adventure and animation quality has been praised by critics and educators for decades.
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