"Taiyô no ko Esteban" (1982) TV series 1982-1983

Directors:

Edouard David
Bernard Deyriès

Writers:

Jean Chalopin (writer)
Bernard Deyriès (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

13 May 1982 (Luxembourg)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Documentary | Family

Plot:

The year is 1532. Esteban, a young boy, is told that he was saved by Mendoza, a navigator on a Spanish ship from a ship wreck in a storm at sea...

Plot Keywords:

Inca | Treasure Hunter | 16th Century | Betrayal | Exploration

Cast

Janice Chaikelson	...	Zia (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Adrian Knight	...	Tao (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Vlasta Vrana	...	Kokapelt / ... (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Terrence Labrosse	...	Sancho (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Matt Berman	...	Captain Gomez (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Maurice Podbrey	...	Governor Pizarro (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Anick Faris	...	Lana / ... (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Shiraz Adam	...	Esteban (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Walter Massey	...	The Doctor (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Howard Ryshpan	...	Pedro / ... (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Dean Hagopian	...	Kalmec (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Richard Dumont	...	Menator / ... (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
A.J. Henderson	...	Captain Gaspard / ... (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Tomoko Ai	...	Lana (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Shigeru Chiba	...	Priest (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Tesshô Genda	...	General Gomez (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Haruna Ikezawa	...	Wyna (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Rokurô Naya	...	Subcommander Gaspard (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Sachiko Saitô	...	Gwynn (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Mahito Tsujimura	...	Metnard (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Hideyuki Umezu	...	Carmec (39 episodes, 1982-1983)
Kiyoyuki Yanada	...	Wanococha (39 episodes, 1982-1983)

Also Known As:

Esteban and the Seven Cities of Gold (USA) (cable TV title)
Esteban: The Child of the Sun (literal English title)
Les mystérieuses cités d'or (France)
The Mysterious Cities of Gold (USA)

Runtime:

20 min (39 episodes) | France:28 min

Country:

France | Japan | Luxembourg

Language:

French | Japanese

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-Y7 | Australia:PG

Company:

DIC France

Trivia:

In an early draft of the concept, SOLARIS, the solar vessel was a much more simplistic wood sailing boat with oars activated by a steam engine. Bernard Deyries made a few changes to make to vessel more technologically advanced: he made the boat metallic and came up with the idea of a solar sail. The Japanese team accepted and added the "cube" mechanism that activates the system.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the opening credits, Esteban is seen controlling the golden condor using 2 control levers. However, during the episodes proper, he only uses one (the condor just has one, shaped like a cobra).

Quotes:

English Opening Titles Narrator: It is the Sixteenth Century. From all over Europe great ships sail west to conquer the New World - the Americas; the men eager to seek their fortune, to find new adventures in new lands. They long to cross uncharted seas and discover unknown countries; to find secret gold on a mountain trail high in the Andes. They dream of following the path of the setting sun, that leads to El Dorado and The Mysterious Cities of Gold.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps: Vomit (#2.4)" (2002)

Soundtrack:

Mysterious Cities Of Gold

The unforgettable children of the Sun!

I watched that cartoon when I was a kid.I remember that it was very nice.As it was a long time ago I had forgotten most of the plot and the characters.

Some months ago a local TV channel aired "The Mysterious Cities of Gold" .In spite of not being a 5-year old kid anymore I sat in front of the TV in order to watch it again.And I really enjoyed it!

It is a masterpiece in the animation genre-a cartoon with an exciting plot,memorable characters and terrific music.Moreover,it takes place at an interesting historical period-the conquest of South America. Most characters in cartoons are rather flat.But here all the characters are intriguing-especially the Spanish navigator Mendosa who is both greedy and kind-hearted.The kids Esteban,Zia and Tao are really nice.The villains also have their charm.

Hardly any other cartoon has better music score.Not only the starting song "Children of the sun" but all the other melodies are stunning.

So,if some TV channels in your countries air this cartoon,don't hesitate at all-take your seats in front of the TV and explore the mysterious cities of gold where adventures never end-as well as our enjoyment!