TV-Series
Description
"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" anime series adapts L. Frank Baum's classic novel, reimagining the tale with a unique anime aesthetic and narrative structure. The story begins with Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas, who is swept away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz. Upon arrival, her house accidentally crushes the Wicked Witch of the East, freeing the Munchkins from her tyranny. Dorothy is hailed as a hero but seeks to return home. Guided by the Good Witch of the North, she embarks on a journey to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard of Oz, who is said to possess the power to grant her wish.

Along the way, Dorothy befriends three iconic characters: the Scarecrow, who desires a brain; the Tin Woodman, who longs for a heart; and the Cowardly Lion, who seeks courage. Each character joins Dorothy, believing the Wizard can fulfill their deepest desires. Their journey is fraught with challenges, including encounters with the Wicked Witch of the West, who seeks revenge for her sister's death and attempts to thwart their progress. The group faces trials such as navigating deadly poppy fields, confronting flying monkeys, and overcoming their own insecurities.

Upon reaching the Emerald City, the Wizard agrees to help them but only if they defeat the Wicked Witch of the West. The group reluctantly accepts the task, leading to a climactic confrontation. Dorothy ultimately triumphs, using water to melt the Witch, a weakness she discovers by accident. Returning to the Wizard, they learn he is not a true sorcerer but a ordinary man from Dorothy's world who uses illusions and tricks. Despite this revelation, he helps the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Lion by providing symbolic tokens representing their desired traits, affirming that they already possessed these qualities within themselves.

Dorothy's journey concludes with the discovery that the silver shoes she acquired from the Wicked Witch of the East can transport her home. She bids farewell to her friends and returns to Kansas, where she awakens to find her adventure may have been a dream—or perhaps a glimpse into a magical reality. The series retains the core themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the idea that what one seeks often lies within, while expanding on the original story with anime-inspired visuals and pacing.
Information
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
オズの魔法使い
Im Land des Zauberers von Oz
The Wizard of Oz
Type: TV-Series
Anime Episodes: 52
Movie/Episode length: 30 min.
Date: 09/08/1986 – 07/09/1987
Categories
Genre
Adventure
Settings
Fantasy
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Episodes
Staffel 1
1Dorothy and the tornado
2Yellow road
3Departure to hope
4The difficult road
5Black flower
6Emerald palace
7Witch of the West
8Winky's battle
9Witch's castle
10After the shoes
11Monbi and Chip
12New king
13Identity of the Great king of Oz
14Left behind
15To the south
16Witch Grinda's castle
17Grinda
18Kansas
19Back to Oz
20Chip is a father
21General Ginger
22Scarecrow king runs away
23The woodcutter's a king
24Monbi's magic
25Join strength
26Gump
27Seeking help
28Back to Emerald
29Monbi the witch?
30Chip's secret
31Dorothy and Tic-tac
32Castle Langdia
33Desert journey
34Hen of the desert
35Edge of Oz
36Gnome of the underworld
37The king's problem
38The king's favorite thing
39Scary room
40In search of the light
41Back to the surface
42The gnome's counterattack
43Secret of Emerald
44Land of Chokkinpet
45Harvest in Oz
46Spring of forgetfulness
47Bakekubi goes on a rampage
48Guff becomes a good person
49Coronation
50Victory of the gnome king
51Dorothy keeps fighting
52Back to Kansas
Comment(s)
Staff
  • Director
    Masaru Tonogouchi
  • Storyboard
    Fumio Ikeno
    Yutaka Kagawa
    Shinichi Tsuji
    Tetsuo Yasumi
    Minoru Kibata
    Yukio Okazaki
    Masaru Tonogouchi
    Masaharu Endō
    Kōji Nanke
  • Original story
  • Art Director
    Mariko Kadono
  • Director of Photography
    Kazuhiro Furubayashi
  • Producer
    Tetsuro Kumase
  • Script
    Akira Miyazaki
    Takafumi Nagamine
  • Music
    Takao Naoi
    K.S. Yoshimura
  • Character Design
    Shūichi Seki
  • Animation Director
    Akio Sakai
    Norio Kaneko
    Yoshishige Kosako
    Minoru Kibata
    Hisatoshi Motoki
    Masaru Tonogouchi
    Jōji Yanase
  • Executive producer
    Yoshihiro Ōba
Production
  • Production
    Panmedia
    Itoman
    Music
    Opening
    “Fancy Girl (Fanshii Gaaru ファンシーガール)”
    “Searching for a Dream”
    “Fancy Girl (New Instrumental Theme)”
    “Listen to Your Heart”
    “Taste the Rain”
    “Close Your Eyes”