Moomin is a Japanese animetelevision series which was broadcast on Fuji Television between 1969 and 1970. The series is loosely based on the Moomin books by the Finnish author Tove Jansson. A sequel series entitledShin Muumin was later released in 1972. However, Jansson never approved of these series, due to dramatic changes with the plots, overall atmosphere, and character personalities. The series was never translated into any languages or released outside Japan. It is also notably different from the later animetelevision series Moomin, released in the early 1990s, which was translated into many languages and released in dozens of countries. The later series relies more on the original Moomin books and comic strips.
Summary
Its first half is referred to as "Tokyo Movie version", the latter the "Mushi Pro version". Hisashi Inoue, a distinguishednovelist and dramatist, participated as a screenwriter in the former. Tokyo Movie Shinshaundertook the production at first and Moomintroll became an ordinary boy, who occasionally fought or behaved slyly. Because of that, along with elements such as Snufkin being a driver, Tove Jansson, the original author of the books, angrily said: "My Moomin is no driver, fighter or money maker", which Hayao Miyazaki disagreed with. Although the series, on its own, had a high reputation as an adventurous and comedic series for boys, it was dramatically different in areas like the adaptation and overall atmosphere. As a result, Tokyo Movie had their own contract cancelled and the designs were changed accordingly. After Mushi Pro took over, the series had many more faithful episodes, which included the source's stories and points of mystery, horror, comedy and tragedy. Still however, was her consent not obtained and the program was cancelled out of having more than sixty-five episodes.
This series has not been released on DVD, and there are no plans to do so. Given Jansson's distaste for the 1969 series, her heirs are unlikely to grant permission for a DVD release in the foreseeable future. Moreover, several conflicting copyright claims exist on the Japanese side.
