In the 16th century, a trio of kids must search throughout South America for personal answers linked to El Dorado - the mysterious city of gold.In the 16th century, a trio of kids must search throughout South America for personal answers linked to El Dorado - the mysterious city of gold.In the 16th century, a trio of kids must search throughout South America for personal answers linked to El Dorado - the mysterious city of gold.
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Yes, I have seen the French version of this series and I say, they did a great job (the creators of this also did Ulysse 31 and Spartakus). Though the story was based on a Scott O'Dell novel about a boy named Esteban and Pre-American history, there are also some mythic elements too, such as a flying condor made of pure gold and the allerged civilization of Mu as well.
I wish they would have this on again, instead of that teeny-bopping B.S. or sell-out shows claiming to be "educational" Like what are kids gonna learn from all that?
But hey, I heard this was released on DVD in Europe and French parts of the world. I might nail this too *L*
P.S. My favorites are Tao and his pet parrot. They were cute!
The series was a great childhood anime as there are memorable characters and the storyline offers a philosophical and paranormal touch entwined with a balance of history. The MCOG is an anime that was very unique and it's a shame that there are no others like it today.
Set in the 16th century, it focuses on a Spanish ten-year-old boy called Estaban, who is the Child of the Sun and holds the key to opening the fabled Cities of Gold located in the Andes. He meets three men who offer to help him search for his long-lost father in return for him helping them to find the Cities. Accompanying them is a young girl Zia, who also owns a medallion to open the Cities, and a Hiva boy named Tao who they meet on the journey to the still unexplored South America. Pursing them are three men determined to harness the Cities of Gold and its powers of the Sun for themselves and a strange alien race who need the powers to ensure the survival of their race.
Although I couldn't have been more than four or five when I first saw 'The Mysterious Cities of Gold', I still relish memory of the wonderful series and its equally enchanting soundtrack. The characters- both the children and adults- were strongly portrayed and the entire story was solid and involving. I remember spending many days playing the story out, pretending to be Estaban or Zia, and forcing my poor mum to look for the medallion in shops (in vain, unfortunately!).
I wish that either BBC (even one of their rubbish digital channels) or Nickelodeon would repeat this. I'm sure children today would enjoy this as much as myself and my friends did. It's certainly a crime that it's not been put out on DVD yet.
This was a multinational effort by France, Japan and Canada where the English dub was recorded. Together they made something wonderful and unforgettable.
This story follows the adventures of three children who are in search of the Cities of Gold along with three Spanish sailors. Each is searching for these mysterious cities for their own reasons. There are many mysteries they have to solve along the way, including the mysterious circumstances of the main character's past.
I give thanks to my mother who encouraged me to sit down and watch this while it was airing on Nickelodeon in the late 1980's.
Few people here in North America are aware of this gem in animation. Kudos to you if you are a fellow MCoG fan; we are kindred spirits.
Did you know
- TriviaIn the English version the lost continent in the Pacific is referred to as Heva. However in every other version (including the original French) it's called by its far more familiar name: Mu.
- GoofsDuring 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.
- Alternate versionsThe series is a French and Japanese coproduction. Although the opening and ending animations have clearly been designed for the Japanese songs, these animations were edited to fit the song used in the French version and it is this version that has been used for international distribution (like the American version). Also, the background music composed for the French version is the one used in foreign versions.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Fan des années 80: 1983 #1 (2009)
- SoundtracksItsuka Dokokade Anatani Atta
(Japanese Ending song)
Music by Katsuo Ôno (as Katsuo Ono)
Arrangements by Jun Satou
Lyrics by Yû Aku
Performed by Pal
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- The Mysterious Cities of Gold
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro