For most of us, cartoons play an important role in our childhood. We listed 5 of our favorites that were dubbed into Arabic from the original Japanese, and became huge nostalgic cornerstones in our young lives.
1) Grendizer – The Robot Grendizer is an anime and manga cartoon originally created by artist Go Nagai. Broadcast originally on Japanese television in 1975, Grendizer quickly caught popularly in the United States, France and Canada as well as the Middle East. Many of us equate warm memories of childhood along to Grendizer, along with the excitable dubbed classical Arabic voices that sometimes didn’t seem to match the cartoon.
2) Adnan and Lina – With the original name being Conan, this post-apocalyptic science fiction anime series, which was first released in Japan in 1978, chronicled the tale of the futuristic protagonist and his young side-kick Lana (changed to Lina for the Arabic version). Set on a series of islands including Industria, High Harbor, and Remnant to name a few, the young protagonist and his love interest go on a series of adventures. This show is still wildly popular throughout the region today, and can be watched on dubbed DVDs and on YouTube.
3) Captain Majid – Though the original name of this show was Captain Tsubasa, which literally translates to “big sky wings” in Japanese, Captain’s name was changed for Arab audiences (because how would you pronounce Tsubasa in Arabic?) Released in 1981, the series was the tale of a youth soccer team and the captain, focusing on his relationship with friends, rivalries with opponents and sweet football moves. Wildly popular among young Arab boys during the 1980s and 1990s, it still has a following today, and can be watched online or on DVD. YouTube Clip
4) Sandy Bell – Aired in Japan in 1981, Sandy Bell is an anime series created by Toei Animation. Narrating the story of a young girl who lives in Scotland with her father and her dog Oliver, Sandy Bell’s character seemed quite unique to Arabic audiences. Her primary goal throughout the series is to reunite with her mother, and in the final episodes she finally does, only to discover her mother suffers from amnesia and does not quite remember her. YouTube Clip
5) Sally – Originally made in Japan in 1985, Sally is the Arabic name given to the main character Sara. An adaptation of the Frances Hodgson Burnetts novel A Little Princess, Sally told the tale of a little girl who was born to a wealthy couple but after the death of her mother was sent to live in a boarding school. Sally’s story was one of inner-kindness, faith and resilience, as she tolerated horrible conditions in the boarding school once the headmaster thought her wealthy father was also dead. Sally taught audiences that though life had cycles of good and bad, happiness and sadness, there was always a brighter future waiting for those maintained optimism. YouTube Clip
What are some of the cartoons you grew up watching? Let us know at Editor@Barakabits.com!
