Die Biene Maja

"Maya The Bee" is one of those shows very popular in Europe and nearly unknown in the US. Just like Krtek, Bamse, Reksio, Ferdy the Ant and more. The show is inseparable part of many people's childhood memories and even now, more than 30 years after its first airing it hasn't lost its charm. Whole generations grew up with Maya and her friends. It's a timeless classic! The animation has some typical anime features, but they don't protrude too much, so even those who don't like Japanese shows can easily find themselves enjoying the episodes. Each episode is a separate story, featuring Maya and her friends - Willie, Flip and the rest of the insects living in the field. From 1975 to 1976 52 episodes were produced, and 52 more from 1982 to 1983 (also known as "The New Adventures of Maya the Bee", where Alexander the Mouse, the first non-insect character was introduced). The episodes don't resemble or follow any particular pattern. The seres are always colorful and full of joy. It's pure delight! For some months they air the show on the TV, and imagine me, nearly 21 years old, getting back home from my lectures at the Uni, and waiting for today's Maya episode :)

In German, this series was called "Biene Maya", in English "Maya the Bee". It features two young bees having adventures out and about, discovering new things and helping other insects. Among their friends are a wise grasshopper, they also encounter ants, beetles, earthworms, and some not so nice wasps and the spider Thekla.

I would say the target audience is 2 - 8 year old children. The animation is good for its age, but you do notice that the series is over 25 years old, however, it holds up very well compared to modern children's TV series, especially as the characters and story lines are well thought through.

Most 20 minute long episodes will convey values such as friendship, helping others, etc., but the messages are never too blatant.

I have watched few episodes of this Japanese-German cartoon from the 1970s on YouTube before. I thought I never watched any old anime TV series like that before in my entire life. It looks pretty interesting and I like it. I heard it was shown on RTÉ 2 and the ITV/BBC long time ago. Wish I watched it as a kid.

I know it is loosely based on the 1912 German children's novel by Waldemar Bonsels.

I'm sure it looks better than that silly 2010s reboot series and its films.

If you are interested in bees, you'll love this 1970s anime TV series. It isn't just for kids, you know. It is for everyone including the fans of Maya the Bee.

Entertaining. Feels a little bit like Adventure Time. Wish I coulda known sooner.

Maya the bee must be one of those shows which everyone here in Slovenia know. It is cult cartoon here specially for the generation who have watched cartoons 10-25 years ago. There are even some theme song covers by many bands. It was shown very often from 80s to early 90s. I've seen it also 2 years ago on national TV so i believe even many children today knows that show. I never know this show was made in Japan. Hard to believe the cartoon from Japan was so popular in a country with totally different culture. I have no idea how it was accepted in Japan or any other countries, but I guess its not that popular if the review i am just writing is the 3rd one. I've seen the show also many times on German TVs so I guess it was quite popular there too but definitely not as popular as here. People here made it look like some national show.