Moomin (楽しいムーミン一家, Tanoshii Mūmin Ikka -- literally, Delightful Moomin Family) is an anime series based on the Moomin book series, produced in Japan by Telecable Benelux B.V. between 1990 and 1991. In all, 78 episodes were made. The series helped to create the "Moomin boom" of the '90s and became one of the two most well-known of numerous series based on the books (the other being the 1977 Polish version, The Moomins).
The series has aired in many parts of the world including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Israel, Poland, Russia, Scandinavia, and Taiwan.
This series was followed by a sequel Delightful Moomin Family: Adventure Diary and the movie Comet in Moominland, based on the book by the same name. A video game based on the series named Moomin Tani no Okurimono was released in 2009.
Characters[]
The Moomin Characters
The Moomin family[]
- Voiced by: Minami Takayama
The main character, a spirited teenager with a keen sense of adventure and fun, and a generous spirit. He is Snufkin's best friend. He is secretly in love with the Snork Maiden and expresses his emotions to her discreetly.
- Voiced by: Akio Ohtsuka, Minami Takayama (child)
Orphaned in his youth, he is a somewhat restless soul who left the orphanage to venture out into the world in his youth but has now settled down, determined to be a responsible father to his family. He is almost always wearing his black top-hat.
- Voiced by: Ikuko Tani, Mika Kanai (child)
The mother of Moomintroll. She is a considerate and stoic mother, a good host to guests and makes efficient medicines from a book she inherited from her mother. Moominmamma is almost never without her handbag in which she seems to carry everything, and is always wearing an apron with red and white vertical stripes.
Close friends[]
- Voiced by: Mika Kanai
Moomintroll's fair beautiful lady friend and admirer. But she does have a crush with others sometimes, but returns to Moomintroll before things get too serious. She is gentle and wise, very dependent on Moomin and generally she is very optimistic. She is loyal to her brother Snork, and cares for him. The Snork Maiden and Snork are 'Snorks' - a sub species of the Moomins.
- Voiced by: Yasuyuki Hirata
The Snork Maiden's brother, also friends with Moomintroll. His character is obsessing over details, rules and protocol in the books. He is a scientist who tries to build a flying ship.
- Voiced by: Ryuusei Nakao
Moomintroll's immature friend and later adopted brother. He is one of the few characters who is sincerely interested in money, and is always on the lookout for another way to get rich quick. Sniff is a 'Sniff' - a species who resemble kangaroos.
- Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu
Moomintroll's best friend, who goes south every winter and returns in the spring. Snufkin is an adventurer and a vagabond, admired by those who are small and shy. He has a great dislike for authority and is shown to be very reserved and introverted while being seen by others as wise and clever.
- Voiced by: Rei Sakuma
A small, mischievous and spiteful "tomboy" little girl who is not afraid of anything. My is the little sister of the Mymble. When she wants something done, she does it straight away. She is very aggressive and often speaks rudely, but can be a good friend. She has a brash personality. She is red haired and her hair is always gathered in a pony tail. She always wears a simple red skirt.
- Voiced by: Minoru Yada
A senior from 'Hemulen' species which is an avid collector. He used to collect flowers and stamps and then became a Birdwatcher. He is good hearted person yet pitiful due to the unstopping pranks of Stinky. He helps Moomin and the Snork Maiden whenever they are in need of help. The Hemulen's Aunt raised Moominpappa in an orphanage. Other characters frequently find the Hemulens annoying or overwhelming, as they can be somewhat loud, bossy, abrasive and insensitive, but they are well intentioned and usually have other redeeming qualities. In the books he is known as "The Hemulen".
Other characters[]
- Voiced by: Sumi Shimamoto
The opposite of the Moomin family. Not a single moment of fantasy or joy, only duties and discipline. She is an extremely methodical person tied down with principles and has a deep rooted belief in prestige and tradition. But in a catastrophe, Fillyjonk may behave totally irrationally. Deep inside she probably has a wish to live like the Moomin family, without any worries. She is most often accompanied by her three children.
- Voiced by: Yuuko Kobayashi
Later known as simply the Mymble, she is the oldest of Mymble's many children. Every bit as independent as her youngest sibling, little My, but much calmer and more mature, Mymble's daughter is very proud of being the oldest sibling, and considers it her duty to raise Little My.
- Voiced by: Takaya Hashi
A by-the-book Hemulen in charge of law enforcement in the valley. He has a crush on Mymble.
- Voiced by: Hisako Kyouda
The Witch looks quite scary but is a harmless old lady after all. For a long time she's unfriendly towards the Moomins and is against her granddaughter, Alicia, spending time with them. She warms up to them somewhat after they help her out on a few occasions, though, and allows Alicia to see them when not busy with her training.
- Voiced by: Sakiko Tamagawa
Alicia, the Witch's granddaughter and witch-in-training, likes the Moomins and plays with them on the sly whenever the Witch is otherwise occupied.
- Voiced by: Tomie Kataoka
She is cold and ghostlike, and represents loneliness and all that is scary in the world of Moomin. She seeks warmth and fire, but is unable to do anything but to put them out. Although she has a scary appearance and is dangerous to get close to due to the cold that she's radiating, she's not really evil. .. Just very lonely.
Small white ghost-like creatures that resemble worn socks. Hattifatteners are always on the move and travel in large groups (but always in odd numbers), such as boat convoys. Their only goal in life is to reach the horizon. During their travels they never say a word to each other, and it's doubtful that they have the ability to talk at all, they seem to communicate solely by telepathy. The Hattifatteners cannot see very well, but their sense of touch is very strong, and they can feel ground vibrations and electricity. Hattifatteners assemble once a year when they "recharge" in a thunderstorm. At this time they should be avoided since they are highly charged and can give you electrical burns. Despite physiologically resembling animals, Hattifatteners grow from seeds. Planting Hattifattener seeds where someone has taken up residence is an effective way to get rid of him/her.
- Voiced by: Tessho Genda
A powerful magician who travels the Universe with his flying panther, looking for the King's Ruby. His hat is found in the Lonely Mountains by Moomintroll, Snufkin and Sniff, who take it back to the Moominhouse. Chaos ensues, as anything you put inside the hat is transformed. Moomintroll himself is changed into a strange creature by the hat when he uses it to hide in during a game. The Hobgoblin himself appears some episodes afterwards to take his hat back, and then even later when Thingumy and Bob are revealed to possess the King's Ruby. The Hobgoblin seems dark and imposing, but is really quite fair-minded and kind. He has the ability to grant wishes, however it only works for others and never himself.
- Voiced by: Isamu Tanonaka & You Inoue
Two little creatures who turn up in Moominvalley with a large suitcase, which contains the King's Ruby. They speak a strange language and are pursued by the Groke who wants the contents. They upset Moominmamma by stealing her handbag. They eventually return it and the whole family throws a party to celebrate. The Hobgoblin arrives when Thingumy and Bob open the suitcase, exposing the King's Ruby for all to see. While they didn't give him the ruby, when the Hobgoblin gave everyone there a wish they wished for the Hobgoblin to have a ruby as beautiful as theirs; the Queen's Ruby.
- Voiced by: Hiroko Maruyama
A criminal by profession, trickster, and a dangerous influence who tempts the Moomin family to do things that are against the law. He has a code of conduct of his own, and is offended when the Moomins want to give him a large sum of money which has been causing them much trouble. Physically, Stinky looks like some sort of furry mammal, whose most characteristic attribute is his constant, unbearable stench, which also reflects his general attitude. His tricks are cruel and often dangerous - such as releasing wild animals from the zoo so they can get the Moomin family, or pressuring the Fillyjonk children into using a perilous rope swing.
- Voiced by: Kazue Komiya
Mother of Little My, Snufkin, and The Mymble's Daughter. She has many, many children, but is very jolly.
- Voiced by: Mika Doi
A friend of the family, craftsman and practical philosopher. She resembles a sailor, and seems wise beyond her years in a similar way to Snufkin.
- Voiced by: Miina Tominaga
A young girl who was turned invisible, shy and speechless due to the sarcastic and cold treatment from her Aunt. She was made to wear a bell so that others could be aware of her presence. The Aunt decided she could not look after an invisible child and so left her in the care of Too-Ticky, who decided the best place for her was with the warm, loving Moomin family. Their kindness gradually turned most of her visible, and a spout of anger at Moomin Papa revealed her head, which had remained hidden for weeks. Too-Ticky returned to collect her, with her visibility, speech and confidence restored.
A strange and mystical character that glides through the ice and snow during winter. She has 3 legs and two arms, all of which have star shaped appendages on the end. Too-Ticky creates horses out of snow that the Lady magics to life in order to ride them through the sky. She has the power to freeze people with her gaze, and does so to Little My, who is soon thawed out by Too-Ticky and Moomin.
- Voiced by: Midori Nakazawa
- Voiced by: Natsuko Fuji
- Voiced by: TARAKO
- Voiced by: Rokurou Naya
- Voiced by: Ryuusei Nakao
- Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu
- Voiced by: Tomomichi Nishimura
- Kryp
- Voiced by: Chika Sakamoto
List of episodes[]
| # | Title | Plot | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - 101 | "The Moomin Valley in Spring " (ムーミン谷の春 Mūmin Dani no Haru, "Spring of Moomin Valley") | Spring has come to Moominvalley, and Moomin and his family come out of their winter hibernation. Up in Lonely Mountains Moomin, Snufkin, Sniff and Little My find a large top Hat, which they bring home. Too big to be worn they use it as a waste paper basket, but it is a Hat of magical qualities and anything thrown into it changes into something completely different. | April 12, 1990 |
| 2 - 102 | "The Magic Hat " (魔法の帽子 Mahō no Bōshi) | The magical Hat, which the Moomins tried to get rid of in the first episode, reappears; it got stuck on a sand bank in the river, which has turned to raspberry juice. Moomin recovers the Hat and hides it in the cellar, wanting to have a constant supply of juice. Little My drops a piece of string into the hat, hoping it will turn into spaghetti. However, the string turns into something quite different. | April 12, 1990 |
| 3 - 103 | "The Discovery of a Wrecked Ship" (浜で見つけた難破船 Hama de mitsuketa Nanbasen, "The Shipwreck found at the Beach") | Moomin and his friends go mountain climbing, encounter a very depressed Hemulen, sunk in gloom because his stamp collection is finally complete and he has nothing more to collect They learn from him about a sailboat wrecked on the beach. They start repairing the boat, hoping to sail the seven seas. Deciding to start collecting plants instead, Hemulen gets over his depression, and they all go for a trial sail. | April 19, 1990 |
| 4 - 104 | "The Moomins Discover the Island " (おばけ島へようこそ Obake-shima e yōkoso, "Welcome to Ghost Island") | The Moomin family and their friends set out for adventure in their new sailboat, and finally arrive at a seemingly uninhabited island. It is, however, populated by some very strange creatures with whom Hemulen has an unpleasant encounter. A terrible storm hits the island and they decide to stay overnight, pulling up the boat as far as she will go and taking taking refuge in their tent. | April 26, 1990 |
| 5 - 105 | "The Secrets of the Hattifatteners " (ニョロニョロの秘密 Nyoronyoro no himitsu, The Secrets of the Slitherings”) | Our friends have forgotten to tie their boat up in the storm and are attacked by hordes of electrified Hattifatteners, who want their sacred barometer back. Swimming about after the storm Moomin and Snorkmaiden find the most exciting things brought by the storm, but the most exciting find is undoubtedly made by Snufkin. | May 3, 1990 |
| 6 - 106 | "Tiny Guests" (小さな小さなお客様 Chīsana chīsana o-kyaku sama) | One day two very small guests arrive at Moominhouse. They bring a suitcase, so Moominpappa knows they have come to stay and builds a small bed. Everybody is dying to know what`s inside the suitcase, which Thingumy and Bob guard day and night. The terrible Groke knows, however, and she is coming to get it. | May 10, 1990 |
| 7 - 107 | "The Suitcase" (スーツケースの中身 Sūtsukēsu no nakami, "The Inside of the Suitcase") | After the visit of the Groke, Snorkmaiden finally find out to whom the contents of the suitcase belong, but this only makes the problem worse, and it is with great misgivings they await the return of the Groke. Only Moominmamma has a plan, but will it work? | May 17, 1990 |
| 8 - 108 | "The Hobgoblin's Magic" (飛行オニの魔術 Hikōoni no Majutsu, The Flying Demon's Magic) | The Groke has gone, having been given a very special sea-shell which was a gift from Snorkmaiden to Moomin, who is now in trouble. Moominmamma`s handbag disappears, and she promises the finder a huge party. It seems the Groke was not the only one interested in the contents of the suitcase, however... | May 24, 1990 |
| 9 - 109 | "An Invisible Friend" (姿の見えないお友達 Sugata no mienai Otomodachi) | Too-Ticky brings Ninny to Moominhouse view. Ninny has been frightened so often by her aunt that she has become invisible. Moominmamma concocts an infallible remedy, but will that and kindness be enough? Stinky does his best to see to it that it doesn`t. | May 31, 1990 |
| 10 - 110 | "The Invisible Child" (笑顔がもどったニンニ Egao ga modotta Ninni, Ninny got her smile back") | Very slowly Ninny comes back into view, but her face is still missing. Stinky does his best to stop her from becoming visible, resorting to very nasty tricks when the children play hide and seek. It appears that anger and shouting loud is even better than medicine and kindness for getting your shape back. | June 7, 1990 |
| 11 - 111 | "The Wings" (大空を飛ぶスノーク Ōsora wo tobu Sunōku, "The Snork that flies the Sky") | Snorkmaiden`s brother has finished planning his flying ship, and has constructed a pair of wings so he himself can try out his theories, jumping off from the highest cliff in Moominvalley. But he is not the only one to think that flying is great - Stinky would like the wings for very Stinky-like purposes... | June 14, 1990 |
| 12 - 112 | "The Pirate" (ムーミン海賊と闘う Mūmin kaizoku to tatakau, "Moomin Fights the Pirates") | Moominvalley is hit by a terrible storm, and an old sailing ship is wrecked offshore, finally sinking. But, it is no usual ship - she is seen flying a black flag with a skull and crossbones. The pirates have made it to the shore unhurt and trouble starts when the captain, a terrible villain, grabs Snorkmaiden and holds her hostage, demanding a new getaway ship from the people in Moominvalley. The Inspector is frantic and helpless and it is left to Moomin to bring about her rescue. | June 21, 1990 |
| 13 - 113 | "The Last Dragon on Earth" (地球最後の龍 Chikyū Saigo no ryū) | After a tremendous downpour Moomin finds a very small dragon in a puddle. Smothering this most exotic of pets with love he expects great devotion in return, but finds that love is a fickle thing indeed, and particularly difficult to contain in a glass jar. | June 28, 1990 |
| 14 - 114 | "Our Neighbour is a Tough Teacher" (お隣りさんは教育ママ O-tonari san wa Kyōiku mama, "Our Neighbor is a Training Mama") | One day, Fillyjonk moves into the Moomin Valley with her three children. Although the Moomins hold a welcome party with a lot of unique idea`s meant to please them, Fillyjonk just dismisses them as harmful to the upbringing of her children, strictly prohibiting them from playing with Moomintroll and his company. Her children try to follow their mother`s BEHAVE-YOURSELVES type of orders at first, but their natural instinct as children gradually draws them into Moomintroll`s circle of playmates. | July 5, 1990 |
| 15 - 115 | "Snorkmaiden's Lost Memory" (記憶を失ったフローレン Kiyoku wo ushinatta Furōren, "Floren Lost her Memory") | During a spell of rainy weather Snorkmainden has crammed herself with stories about princesses and chivalrous knights.On the first sunny day she and Moomin climb a mountain, where Snorkmaiden sees what she believes is, an Edelweiss. Needless to say it isn`t (no such things in Moominvalley), but they have to climb down to get it. Snorkmaiden slips, rolls down the mountainside and winds up in a faint. When she comes to she has forgotten all, and thinks she is of royal blood... | July 12, 1990 |
| 16 - 116 | "A Close Encounter with Aliens" (ムーミン谷に火星人! Mūmin Dani ni Kaseijin, "Martians in Moomin Valley!") | One day a flying saucer lands in Moominmamma`s vegetable garden. It is apparently unmanned and she and Moomin salvage a strange box-like apparatus which looks rather home-made, but which has many remarkable properties. The Inspector is on the war-path trying to nab extra-terrestrials and when the Moomins find one, a runaway child, they have to hide him, quickly deciding that he has probably not come to invade Moominvalley. Their task isn`t made any easier by the fact that the box-like apparatus has now made the Inspector iridescent,this fascinating the child so that he follows the Inspector everywhere. | July 26, 1990 |
| 17 - 117 | "A Change of Air-" (ムーミンパパの家出 Mūminpapa no iede, Moominpapa runs away from Home) | Bored stiff with calm, sunnyweather and stuck in his memoirs, Moominpappa craves adventure. Stinky decides to comply and provides a set of gigantic footsteps, leading up from the sea to Moominhouse. This creates a diversion, but is not enough and Moominpappa decides he and Moominmamma should elope (they never did it before because they had no one to elope from). Stealing off in the middle of the night they leave Moomin to fend for himself, something he doesn`t manage all that well. Sniff and Little My help him cook and it is probably a very good thing that his parents haven`t managed to get very far... | August 2, 1990 |
| 18 - 118 | "The Wooden Crate" (海から来た魔法の種 Umi kara kita Mahō no Tane, "The Magic Seed that came from the Sea") | It is hotter than ever before in Moominvalley. The river has run dry and everything is wilting. Going down to swim one day with the other children Little My finds a large wooden crate floating in the water and when they open it they find it full of strange-looking, tropical seeds. They plant them as they have nothing better to do and next night the rains finally come, a veritable deluge. The seeds sprout and next day the house is surrounded by a jungle. Bamboo, orchids, fruit-trees, but also some much more dangeous plants... | August 9, 1990 |
| 19 - 119 | "Buried in a Jungle" (ムーミン谷はジャングル Mūmin Dani wa Janguru, "Moomin Valley is a Jungle") | The Moomin family and their friends have a great time in the jungle. The Hemulen is botanizing as fast as he can, everyone is eating tropical fruit and mOomin and Snorkmaiden play Tarzan and Jane, building a leaf hut. Suspiciously helpful, Stinky offers to get them some animals, too, so it will be more like a real jungle. He is as good as his word, but the animals that he provides are not exactly of the kind they had in mind. | August 23, 1990 |
| 20 - 120 | "Moomin Saves the Tigers" (ムーミン虎たちを救う Mūmin Tora-tachi wo sukū) | The Moomin family have befriended all the wild animals that Stinky let out of the zoo (except the crocodiles and who wants to be friends with a crocodile, anyway ?) and when the zoo-keepers come to take the animals back, the Moomins, aided by the Inspector, fend them off. But, also, the hot spell doesn`t last. Autumn comes, the jungle withers in the cold and the animals huddles, shivering, in front of open fires, wondering if chilly freedom is really better than a warm zoo. | August 30, 1990 |
| 21 - 121 | "Snufkin Leaves Moomin Valley" (スナフキンの旅立ち Sunafukin no Tabidachi, "Snufkin Setting off") | Again winter is at the door and Moominpappa and Moomin are collecting wood to keep the house warm during their long hibernation. Moomin is feeling very sad because it is time for Snufkin to go away on his long annual trip. Moomin talks his parents into letting him go along, but Snufkin says no - he needs some time to himself. Moomin takes to his bed, utterly dejected, but Snorkmaiden manages to bring him out of his gloom by showing him something very, very special. | September 6, 1990 |
| 22 - 122 | "Moomin and Little My's Adventure" (ムーミンとミイの大冒険 Mūmin to Mī no Daibōken) | For no special reason Moomin wakes up in the middle of winter and can`t go back to sleep. This is quite unheard-of. He is unable to wake the others, and finally, shivering, he makes his way outside into the bleak, unfamiliar whiteness. He meets Little My, who has woken up even before him, and Too-tick who lives in the bath-house. He meets the invisible mice, who also stays there for winter, and he almost meets the Lady of the Cold, the most fearsome of all winter`s manifestations... | September 13, 1990 |
| 23 - 123 | "Visitors in Winter" (ムーミン谷の冬の住人 Mūmin Dani no Fuyu no Aruji, The Master of Winter in Moomin Valley) | Moomin and Little My have finally settled into their wintry existence, living on Too-ticki`s fish soup and Moominmamma`s jam, of which there fortunately is an awful lot. One day, Mr. Brisk arrives, a very hearty and jovial person, who likes cold baths and roughing it in igloo`s. He is much taken with Sorry-oo, a very timid dog who only dreams of running with the wolves that are nightly heard howling in Lonely Mountains. He considers them his brothers, but unfortunately, they don`t... Mr. Brisk finally leaves, having consumed the last jar of his (and Moomin`s) favourite jam. | September 20, 1990 |
| 24 - 124 | "Hurry Up Snufkin" (帰ってこないスナフキン Kaettekonai Sunafukin, "Snufkin Hasn't Come Back") | Wintering away from bed can`t be very good for Moomins, for when spring comes Moomin has a terrible cold, and takes to bed when all the others get up. This year Snufkin is very late and Moomin worries far more than is good for him. Finally Snorkmaiden sets off to try and find Snufkin and bring him back, hoping this would bring about a speedy recovery. Stinky makes a bedside call and agrees to help Moomin go out to look for Snufkin. Poor Stinky - he learns that when you have a bad reputation good deeds don`t really help much. | September 27, 1990 |
| 25 - 125 | "The Lighthouse" (パパの夢をのせて Papa no Yume wo Nosete, "Ride on Papa's Dream") | Once again the very fine weather is boring Moominpappa to tears and this time he decides to take the whole family with him and sail for a lighthouse on a small island, not bigger than a fly-speck on the chart. Loaded down they set off and arrive next morning after a harrowing experience with a ghost-ship during the night. They meet a small boat with a man and a boy fishing, but when they get to the lighthouse it is empty, thick with dust and the beacon has gone out. What has happened? | October 4, 1990 |
| 26 - 126 | "The Day the Lighthouse Lit Up" (灯台に明かりのともる日 Tōdai ni Akari no Tomoru Hi) | The Moomin`s first night in the abandoned lighthouse is haunted by ghosts from the mysterious ghost ship, who finally take off. One of their group is left behind, and the Moomins have to build a raft for to sail away on. Moominpappa is in vain trying to light the beacon in the lighthouse and they all try to unravel the mystery with the absent keeper. It is finally solved with the help of the small boy, Toft, from the fishing boat, and when the Moomins sail back to Moominvalley they see the lighthouse lit for the first time. | October 4, 1990 |
| 27 - 127 | "Aunt Jane" (お金持ちのジェーンおばさん Okanemochi no Jēn Obasan, "The Rich Aunt Jane") | One day, Moominpappa gets a very rare thing, a letter! It is from Aunt Jane, a stinkingly rich relative of whom Moominpappa is rather scared. She is great on duty, and particularly on one`s duty to money, so Moominpappa packs a knapsack and flees before she arrives. And very wisely, too, for she wants Moominpappa to look after her gold doubloons when she gets too old ! There are, however, those in Moominvalley who need gold for their pet projects - and those who need gold just because they like it. | October 18, 1990 |
| 28 - 128 | "The Floating Theatre" (浮かぶばけもの屋敷 Okabu Bakemono Yashiki, "The Floating Monster Mansion") | Catastrophe strikes Moominvalley again, this time in the shape of an underwater volcano. A huge tidal wave sweeps across the valley, leaving just the top floor of Moominhouse above water. The family, Sniff, Snorkmaiden and Little My save themselves on board a house that comes floating by. It is an eerie building, full of clothes and hats and mirrors and strange machinery and huge paintings that drop down from the ceiling. The crazy house, which they learn is also called a theatre, is halted by a large rowan tree, and Moomin and Snorkmaiden make a fatal decision. They spend the night in the tree... | October 25, 1990 |
| 29 - 129 | "The Lost Children" (離れ離れの家族 Hanare Banare no Kazoku, The Lost Family") | Next morning Moomin and Snorkmaiden wake up find the theatre gone. They are alone, surrounded by an empty expense of water, with here and there a tree sticking up. Aboard the theatre further catastrophe strikes - they are grounded and Little My falls overboard and is swiftly carried away by the current, but is later rescued by Snufkin who is seeking revenge against a grumpy park keeper. Beside themselves with worry, Moominmamma and Moominpappa decide to put on a play to let the children know where they are, because as Emma the cleaning lady says, "When you put on a new play, everybody comes flocking to see it". | November 1, 1990 |
| 30 - 130 | "Midsummer" (喜びの再会 Yorokobi no Saikai, "The Happy Reunion") | Moominpappa finds that writing a play is even more difficult than writing one`s memoirs, as one doesn`t know what`s going to happen. Meanwhile, an awful lot has happened to the children. Moomin and Snorkmaiden have met with a Fillyjonk, and they have all been cast in jail for burning all the "Forbidden" signs that Little My and Snufkin threw away from the park keeper`s park. Their jailer takes off to see the play, and they try their utmost to get his stand-in to set them free. Meanwhile, the theatre is in frantic throes of preparation for the Gala Opening Night of Moominpappa`s play. | November 8, 1990 |
| 31 - 131 | "The Big Explosion" (スノークの空飛ぶ船 Sunōku no Sora tobu Sen, "Snork's Flying Ship) | One day the Snork gets a visit from the Muffle, an inventor no one seems to have heard of. He has not only invented the triangular handkerchief and the newspaper that reads itself, but has now come up with a new super fuel for the flying ship, which is otherwise complete. Diluting the solid super fuel with water does nothing for it, and the Snork throws the Muffle out, very upset at having shown his flying ship for nothing. However, aided by Stinky the Muffle returns at night, quite certain that his fuel will work, if used in its solid state... | November 15, 1990 |
| 32 - 132 | "The Golden Fish" (まぼろしの金色の魚 Maboroshi no Kiniro no Sakana "The Illusional Golden Fish") | The Hemulen tells about a lake on the other side of Lonely Mountains, where a legendary golden fish is said to live, that once was seen by his great-grandmother. Moomin and his friends become very excited, particularly Sniff, who decides a golden fish must be very valuable. Very special conditions of weather must be met for any chance of seeing the fish: absolute calm, in the afternoon, with the sun coming out after a heavy rain. The children take the rather dangerous short-cut through the Forest of Witches, where they are caught by a violent thunder-storm... | November 22, 1990 |
| 33 - 133 | "The Spirit in the Lamp" (魔法のランプに願いを込めて Mahō no Ranpu ni Negai wo Komete, "Put your Wishes in the Magic Lamp") | Digging for beautiful seashells on the shore, Moomin and Snorkmaiden find what looks like an old oil-lamp. A bit self-consciously they try rubbing it and are more than a little surprised when the spirit materializes and asks what they want. He is a rather lazy spirit, however, who finds stealing easier than creating something new, and who won`t grant more than one wish a week. At night he comes forth and reads Moominpappa`s new play, which he finds disgustingly bad and promptly rewrites - again, however, without bothering to come up with something new. Stinky expresses marked interest in the lamp and the Moomins finally come to the conclusions that maybe it isn`t such a blessing to have all your wishes instantly granted. | November 29, 1990 |
| 34 - 134 | "The Kite" (たこに乗ったミイ Tako ni Notta Mī, "My Rode a Kite") | One night there is a big wind in Moominvalley and next morning the children find a large kite high up in a tree. They get it down, take it home and repair it, then go out again to fly it. At first the wind is too weak, but it picks up and is soon strong enough to send the kite soaring up into the sky. Little My thinks this looks unbelievably exciting and decides to hang on to the kite next time they send it up. And unbelievably exciting it is, but when the wind keeps getting stronger and stronger, the excitement turns to something else. | December 6, 1990 |
| 35 - 135 | "The Witch" (帰ってきた魔女 Kaettekita Majo, "The Witch Came Back") | One day the children meet a new girl, who is sitting on a stone, waiting for her grandmother to come and take her home to their house in the Witches` Forest. Could she really be a witch? Snufkin says nobody else would live in that house, but can there really be witches nowadays? That evening the Snork sees what he thinks must be a witch, riding on a broom, silhouetted against the moon and next day the children set off for the forest to settle the question once and for all. | December 13, 1990 |
| 36 - 136 | "Christmas Is Coming" (クリスマスって何? Kurisumasu tte Nani, "What is Christmas?") | The Moomin family has already started hibernating when they are woken up by a busy Hemulen who tells them they can`t possibly go on sleeping when Christmas is coming! The Moomins haven`t a clue what Christmas is (being clever enough to sleep Winter away), but everyone tells them of all the preparations one must make to meet Christmas. They do their best, and wait, and wait... | December 20, 1990 |
| 37 - 137 | "The Midwinter Bonfire" (冬の生物たちのお祭り Fuyu no Seibutsu tachi no Omatsuri, "The Festival of the Winter Creatures") | Waking up in the midst of Winter Moomin decides to show Snorkmaiden what Winter is like. Going ouside they find that most of their firewood has disappeared. Walking on they find that someone has used their logs to build a huge bonfire on a cliff. Too-ticky, who is fishing under the ice as usual, tells them it has been built by invisible Winter beings to greet the return of the sun, which will show a little sliver of light the day after the bonfire. However, the festivities come to a sudden end when the Groke appears. | December 27, 1990 |
| 38 - 138 | "The Spell" (眠りの魔法 Nemuri no Mahō, "The Sleep Magic) | Spring has already come in Moominvalley and Snufkin is back from his journey, but Moominfamily sleeps on and apparently nothing can wake them up. The others decide this can be no natural sleep, and conclude that the witch must be responsible. She admits to having cast a spell, but is not very willing to lift it again... | January 1, 1991 |
| 39 - 139 | "Things That Go Bang in the Night" (真夜中の不思議な音 Mayonaka no Fushigina Oto, "The Mysterious Sound in the Night") | Everybody in Moominvalley is awakened at night by faraway explosions that no one is able to explain, and no one is really able to say where they come from. A beautiful young girl, worn out with fatigue, appears from nowhere and stumbles over Sniff, who carries her up to Moominhouse where she is put to bed. The explosions are finally found to come from the sea, and a younger version of the Hemulen is seen rowing away into the night. | January 1, 1991 |
| 40 - 140 | "The Secret Fireworks" (花火の秘密 Hanabi no Himitsu, "The Secret of the Fireworks") | The beautiful young girl whom Sniff rescued (and promptly fell for) woke up next day and said she had come to see the Hemulen who, however, denies any knowledge of any young girls whatsoever - his only worry being that he gets no answer from the Federation of Botanists about a totally new plant he has discovered. Finally the letter arrives in time for a great display of fireworks. | January 10, 1991 |
| 41 - 141 | "Crooks in Moomin Valley" (ムーミン谷の怪事件 Mūmin Dani no Kaijiken, "Moomin Valley's Mystery Case") | Moominvalley is peaceful, as usual. For once too peaceful, for there simply aren`t any crooks there for the Inspector to arrest. The Chief Constable informs him that the whole police station will be discontinued as totally unnecessary, and it seems to be up to Moomin and his friends to see to it that there is something for the Inspector to do, after all. | January 17, 1991 |
| 42 - 142 | "The Solar Eclipse" (魔女のほうき Majo no Hōki, "The Witch's Broom") | Moominvalley is about to experience a solar eclipse, and everybody is preparing for it. Moominpappa is sorting bits of glass to see through, and the witch is preparing for a special ceremony on top of a mountain to strengthen her witchcraft. However, a very strong wind springs up and topples her from her witches` broom into a bush. She is taken to Moominhouse to recover, and that really is the final insult to her pride. | January 24, 1991 |
| 43 - 143 | "The Prima Donna" (サーカスのヒロイン Sākasu no Hiroin, "The Circus Heroine) | Torrential rain has caused a new flood in Moominvalley, and a whole circus has floated off. The prima donna, her horse and Emeraldo, the strong man, float away to the vicinity of Moominhouse and Moomin saves the prima donna, becoming totally besotted with her. It takes a lot of time and some help from Snorkmaiden before he finally comes to his senses. | January 31, 1991 |
| 44 - 144 | "The Birthday Present" (すてきなお誕生日 Sutekina Otanjōbi, "A Wonderful Birthday") | Moominmama`s birthday is approaching, and although Moominpappa says he has a very special, nice present for her, in actual fact he hasn`t a clue what to give her. In his desperation he turns to the Snork for help - he even tries to make an invention himself, but everthing fails. Finally, he joins the children in their present - and, combining this with one of his earlier ideas, together they make a truly wonderful birthday gift. | February 7, 1991 |
| 45 - 145 | "Moomin Builds a House" (ムーミンの建てた家 Mūmin no Tateta Ie) | The unthinkable happens - Moomin is driven out of Moominhouse! Mymble`s mother and her ten children come to live with the Moomins after their own house has tumbled around their ears, and after a few days of living with Little My`s brothers and sisters Moomin begins to understand why it did. He flees and Snufkin persuades him to build a house of his own. But although Moomin is helped by Little My he finds that building a house isn`t all that easy - if anything can go wrong, it will. And then the ten little pests find his new house, too... | February 14, 1991 |
| 46 - 146 | "Dame Elaine" (パパは大金持ち? Papa wa Okanemochi, "Papa is Rich?") | Moominpapa is informed that he has inherited a country estate. He doesn`t want it, but when told that his decision is probably a wise one as Gobble Manor is haunted and that nobody dare go there anymore, he changes his mind and off they go, avid for adventures with ghosts, dungeons and torture chambers. And a ghost there is, but not one with clanking chains and his head under his arm. Dame Elaine has seven centuriers behind her, and since she hasn`t had company for the last two of them she is very, very talkative. However, Moominpappa finds a solution... | February 21, 1991 |
| 47 - 147 | "The Hot Spring" (温泉が出た! Onsen ga Deta, "A Hot Spring Is Here") | One day Moominvalley is invaded by three men looking for a hot spring around which they are going to build a big health spa. Sniff is very excited and helps them look; certain this will finally make him rich. The Moomins, however, are horrified at the prospect of having Moominvalley overrun by tourists, and in their plight finally enlist the help of the witch, who is no friend of tourists either, and she applies all her witchcraft to the task of permanently scaring the men off. | February 28, 1991 |
| 48 - 148 | "The Bubbles" (シャボン玉に乗ったムーミン Shabondama ni Notta Mūmin, "Moomin Rides a Bubble") | The Snork has invented a fantastic fabric-strengthener for his flying ship, and he shows this to Snorkmaiden. When she tries blowing soap-bubbles with Moomin and Little My and the solution they have is too weak, she hits on the idea of mixing in a little of her brother`s invention. Soon they are blowing fantastic, huge bubbles, and accidentally find out one can get inside them, and fly around. They have a wonderful time until they notice that one can`t go where one wants but must follow the wind, and also one can`t get down. | March 7, 1991 |
| 49 - 149 | "The Giant Pumpkin" (ママの秘密 Mama no Himitsu, "Mama's Secret") | One of Moominfamily`s absolute favourites is pumpkin pie, so when all of Moominmamma`s plants just produce leaves but no flowers, it is a small catastrophe. Finally, the Hemulen finds a flower, so there may be enough for one meal, after all. Moominmamma decides to let the pumpkin get as big as possible before giving her family the happy news - but what does one do with a pumpkin that just won`t stop growing, no matter what? How long can one hold a secret, and what does one do when it gets too big? | March 14, 1991 |
| 50 - 150 | "The Imp" (枯木の中の声 Kareki no Naka no Koe, "The Voice inside the Dead Tree") | Deep in the forest in Moominvalley there used to be a tree that had stood there for over five hundred years and had been dead for most of that time. In the old, old days people had known about this tree, but over the centuries this knowledge had become lost and nowadays no one knew there was anything special about it. One day, Moomin and his friends happened to play hide-and-seek in that part of the woods and found that not only did the tree conceal a secret, but one that was still very much alive. | March 21, 1991 |
| 51 - 151 | "Snorkmaiden Goes Psychic" (フローレンの超能力 Furōren no Chōnōryoku, "Floren's Supernatural Power) | Snorkmaiden very foolishly takes shelter under a big tree in a thunderstorm, and is struck by lightning. She is all right when she wakes up from her faint, but for one thing - she is able to see into the future. She saves Snufkin from a very nasty accident, but soon finds out that knowing what`s going to happen isn`t all roses, and that not everyone even wants to know. Sniff enlists her powers in one of his money-making schemes, and finally is on the brink of being VERY rich. | March 28, 1991 |
| 52 - 152 | "The Treasure Hunt" (宝探しで大騒ぎ Takara sagashi de Ōsawagi, "An Uproar in the Treasure Hunt") | A prospector comes to Moominvalley, looking for veins of gold, but finally decides the rocks are wrong. He is moving off to beyond the Lonely Mountains when he comes down with a fever and is put to bed in Moominhouse. Before leaving after his recovery he gives the Moomins an old map showing where a treasure is supposedly buried in Moominvalley. He says it`s probably a forgery, but the Moomins decide to try, anyway. By now everyone in Moominvalley is certain that rich veins have been found and the gold rush is on. | April 4, 1991 |
| 53 - 153 | "The Water Nymph" (水の妖精 Mizu no Yōsei) | One day, in the aftermath of the gold fever, Sniff walks off upstream to look for gold in the river-bed. He gets lost in a thick mist, and suddenly comes upon a small pond, created by a pile of driftwood. What he sees there makes him completely spell-bound and he walks home in a trance. Learning about this Moomin tails Sniff when he goes back next day - and finds himself spell-bound in just the same way. This happens to most men in Moominvalley, until the women decide they have to do something about it - but before they can act Nature decides to take a hand. | April 4, 1991 |
| 54 - 154 | "Mymble's Diamond" (ミムラに贈り物 Mimura ni Okurimono, "Mymla's Gift") | Mymble has found a ring on the ground with a big, sparkling stone and gives it in to the Inspector. When no one comes forth to claim it he gives it to her and she is very, very happy, deciding it must be a diamond. She parades it all around Moominvalley, until she is informed by Fillyjonk that if one has a huge diamond like that one must dress accordingly. Not only that, but one must behave accordingly and live accordingly and even though Mymble is helped by Little My and Stinky she soon finds that although diamonds may be a girl`s best friend, they should be so in moderation. | April 18, 1991 |
| 55 - 155 | "Moominpappa's Second Youth" (寂しそうなパパ Sabishisōna Papa, "A Lonely Papa") | One day something remarkable happens in Moominvalley, Moominpappa goes for a walk without his hat. When made aware of this he is greatly distressed, fearing that his forgetfulness is a sign of approaching senility. he takes up the most strenuous physical exercises to regain his lost faculties, and makes day into night in an attempt to get out of the ruts of his life. To get him back to normal takes quite a jolt; a very gently one which is administered by Moominmamma - who else? | April 25, 1991 |
| 56 - 156 | "The Secret Dish" (旅に出たママ Tabi ni Deta Mama, "Mama Goes on a Journey") | Is Moominmamma`s family really getting tired of her cooking? It seems impossible, but Little My unabashedly claims that she is getting very bored with always having pancakes, and Moominpappa at least implies that the best dish he ever had was one not cooked by his beloved wife. As always, when in a quandary, Moominmamma consults Grandma`s book of recipes and cures and, sure enough, finds "What To Do When Your Family Grows Tired of Your Cooking". Taking Snufkin along, she embarks on the journey that the recipe calls for, to find the secret ingredient necessary for the Irresistible Dish. | May 2, 1991 |
| 57 - 157 | "Motherly Love" (フローレンの子育て Furōren no Kosodate, "Floren's Caretaking) | Two little waifs - abandoned in the woods by their evil step-mother if one is to believe them - are found on the Moominhouse porch. This sad occurrence might have been handled better if Snorkmaiden hadn`t just finished reading a book about Motherhood, a book which kept her up all night, filling her bosom with strange feelings. She clasps the children to her, smothering them in motherly love and it takes - even for Snorkmaiden - unusually long to find out that children are much like grown-ups; there are nice ones and then those less nice. | May 9, 1991 |
| 58 - 158 | "Artists in Moominvalley" (ムーミン谷のコンテスト Mūmin Dani no Kontesuto, "Moomin Valley's Contest") | Ever believing in his own ability Moominpappa enters a photo contest for the best nature shot. The spectacular and dramatic results draw a throng of painters to Moominvalley, where the big annual exhibition of paintings is to be held. Moominpappa is much intrigued by the many different approaches to paint an apple tree, and decides to try his hand at that, too. Sudden (and unusual) misgivings about his own talent make him decide not to enter his version, but apparently Moominmamma`s belief in his art is stronger than his own. | May 16, 1991 |
| 59 - 159 | "Adventures of Moominpappa: Part 1" (パパの思い出) | As it seems Moominpappa has left his turbulent youth out of his memoirs (with the usual self-aggrandizement of auto biographers he thought them too turbulent for print), he one day decides to at least tell about it so it won`t be completely lost to posterity. We learn about his escape from the terrible orphanage and how he meets Fredriksson and sails off with him in his ship "The Oshun Orchestra" (his friend the Fuddler isn` a very good speller), how they managed to launch the ship and, finally, whom Moominpappa inadvertently managed to rescue. | May 23, 1991 |
| 60 - 160 | "The Terrible Little My" (ミイのいたずら) | As we all know, Little My is happily aggressive, with no inhibitions and no hang-ups. She gets very angry at times but never sulks, and always enjoys herself immensely. All in all a very likeable person. She always does exactly as she pleases, but with the sensible proviso that it shouldn`t too much displease anyone else - and therefore it`s that much more of a shock to everyone when one day she starts behaving simply abominably. The general consensus is that she`s got out of bed on the wrong side - difficult as that may be when your bed is set flush against the wall... | May 30, 1991 |
| 61 - 161 | "Moomin's the Fortune-Teller" (ムーミンは天才占い師) | Sniff is at it again; trying to get rich quickly. Unfortunately for Moomin he figures as the short-cut to riches in a dream Sniff has had, and when Sniff drags him off to masquerade as a fortune-teller, Moomin as usual finds it far too difficult to say no. Helped by Sniff`s tampering ever so slightly with Fate they get off to a most promising start, but then nemesis hits, as is her wont at least where Sniff is concerned, leaving Moomin to help Snorkmaiden with her costume for a fancy dress competition. | June 6, 1991 |
| 62 - 162 | "Witch-Walking" (魔法の言葉) | Great things are happening in Moominvalley. Snorkmaiden`s brother, the Snork, has finally completed the model of his new flying ship and it seems to work, being a bit more sensibly constructed than the first one. On the not-so-scientific front the witch`s granddaughter, Alicia, has graduated to her first instruction in real witchcraft, a stunning feat which the snork immediately tries to emulate. And finally, Snufkin and the Hemulen try to catch the Mameluke, a fish that is not only very, very large, but also very, very hungry. | June 13, 1991 |
| 63 - 163 | "Adventures of Moominpappa: Part 2" (オーケストラ号の冒険) | Moominvalley and their friends have gone down to the beach, and looking out over the sea Moominpappa is reminded of his youthful life as an adventurer. The appearance of the Niblings saves him from the predicament we left him in last time, but no sooner is that danger past when a storm hits the "Oshun Oxtra", finally stranding our friends in an island kingdom far away. They go to the ruler`s hundredth anniversary in the Park of Surprises, and by royal decree become new settlers. Moominpappa builds a house, but only to find that it is haunted... | June 20, 1991 |
| 64 - 164 | "Moomin and the Birds" (巣立ちの日) | Inspired by the Hemulen, who has temporarily left plants aside for a study of birds, Moomin and his friends go out to study Nature, armed with a book on the subject, and find a lot of things they haven`t even noticed before. They also find a bird`s nest high on a cliff, the mother bird being attacked by a kite. Both mother and fledglings are taken to Moominhouse, and while the mother is patched up the big problem arises - how to get her babies to eat ? They won`t take a thing from foreign hands... | July 4, 1991 |
| 65 - 165 | "The Fancy-Dress Ball" (ムーミンの秘密) | Moominhouse is filled with feverish activity, because everyone in Moominvalley has been invited to a fancy-dress ball in the old Manor, and attics and closets are savoured for suitable items. Fillyjonk has promised to introduce Snorkmainden to a young man of Family, and both she and Little My are beside themselves with excitement. Moomin is totally engrossed in a project of his own down by the river, a secret, nobody knows about until Snufkin happens by. This does not matter, but then Stinky finds out, and that is very serious, also coinciding with the ball, to which Moomin is supposed to accompany Snorkmaiden as Tarzan... | July 11, 1991 |
| 66 - 166 | "The Vampire" (ムーミン谷の吸血鬼) | Horror strikes Moominvalley when a vampire escapes from the Zoo, and everyone tries to cover himself up in gauze or bandages to keep from being bitten. Not exactly knowing exactly what sort of vampire it is, most people also use garlic to be on the safe side. The blood-thirsty beast is finally found, having taken refuge in the Moominhouse kitchen, and takes an immediate shine to Moominmamma, who refuses to give it up to the Zoo, that not being the way guests are treated in Moominhouse. Meanwhile, everyone is walking around in garlic an gauze, and the Moomins realize they have to do something about it. As is often the case with them, their solution is perhaps not the best one... | July 18, 1991 |
| 67 - 167 | "The Chair" (壊れたパパの大事な椅子) | One awful day, Moominpappa`s chair breaks. This might not sound irremediable, but creative people are funny - they rely on certain material comforte for their inspiration to run freely. Without the chair to sit in Moominpappa can no longer write, and although he is brought new old chairs by the dozen somehow the sit differently, they weren`t his chair, and they don`t inspire him one bit. Moomin plays an important part in the destruction of the chair, but fortunately also the main part in its resurrection. | July 25, 1991 |
| 68 - 168 | "Adventures of Moominpappa: Part 3" (ママと運命の出会い) | Again, Moomnpappa is talked into telling the others about his stormy youth - never a difficult task with autobiographers. He tells us about how the Fuddler met the Muddle and how they came to share the buttons and the coffee tin; about the re-appearance of the ghost and how he came to share quarters with Momminpappa, about how Fredriksson finally finished his new Oshun Oxtra which brought them up first into the air and then down into the sea, from which they were saved by Edward the Booble, and last, how he came to meet the charming young Moomin maiden who later was to become Moominmamma. | August 1, 1991 |
| 69 - 169 | "The Phoenix" (伝説の不死鳥の危機) | Moomin and his friends carry home a wounded bird, which has been brought down by some hunters. The bird is large and very beautiful, quite old, and not to be found in any book on birds. Not even the Hemulen has seen it before. Her grandma being away Alicia is staying with the Moomins for a few days, and it is she who finally finds out what bird it is, and what it wants. The request is quite strange but they comply with it, helped by all the villagers to bring about a staggering transformation. | August 8, 1991 |
| 70 - 170 | "Moomin's Big Fish" (お魚パーティーで仲直り) | The Snork has made a new invention; a super-glue that sticks to everything and won`t come off easily, either. While his sister Snorkmaiden is out with Moomin and the others trying their luck at fishing, the Snork cooks glue in Snorkmaiden`s kitchen, making rather a mess of the place. On her return Snorkmaiden is truly miffed and moves into Moominhouse, leaving the snork to fend himself. Getting brother and sister together again seems no easy task, but the fish party Moomin is throwing to celebrate (and eat) his record catch seems to offer possibilities... | August 15, 1991 |
| 71 - 171 | "The Slug-a-Bed Mushrooms" (光るキノコの正体) | Moomin and his friends go out to pick mushrooms and the find even more than can carry home. They seem to be of a very strange species, however - they start glowing and finally they burst open with loud snaps, filling the air with spores. And they are not what you would call ordinary, harmless little spores, either... | August 22, 1991 |
| 72 - 172 | "Moomin and the Dolphin" (ムーミンとイルカの友情) | A baby dolphin is washed up on the beach one day, and Moomin and Snufkin have a tremendous job getting it down to the water again, because even a baby dolphin is far bigger than a Moomintroll. A year later it returns, grown-up now, and lets Moomin and his friends ride on its back. It also invites Moomin for a trip down to the bottom of the sea, and is very surprised to hear Moomins can`t breathe under water. But Moomin is consumed by a desire to see this other world, and asks the witch if she can`t think of a way... | August 29, 1991 |
| 73 - 173 | "The Cave" (ムーミン探検隊) | One day, when the tide is exceptionally low, Moomin and the others go on an expedition to Circle Island, a round island with a lake in the middle which can be reached by foot. Sniff makes the find of his life in a cave and is subsequently lost in it. While the others look for him the tide comes back in, and they all have to stay overnight. None of them mind, though, because the Hattifatteners arrive, and they get to witness a quite remarkable spectacle. | September 5, 1991 |
| 74 - 174 | "A Wonderful Present" (歌う花のプレゼント) | Thingumy and Bob finally decide to go back to Moominvalley for a visit. As usual they lug their - to them enormous suitcase along. Remembering the equally enormous ruby it used to contain Stinky takes the suitcase from them. On arrival at Moominhouse Thingumy and Bob are desolate, because the suitcase held a wonderful present they were going to give to the Moomins, in fact a present for which they had exchanged their ruby. Stinky finds the present both worthless and inedible, and Thingumy and Bob get it back. But it doesn`t seem to do what was promised... | September 12, 1991 |
| 75 - 175 | "The Fabulous Emerald" (ムーミンのすてきな夢) | Moomin is beset by strange, recurrent dreams in which he is urged to go to a far-away waterfall and look for something. At last he sets out with Snufkin, and they make a most unusual find that Moomin can`t really make anything of. But dreams sometimes have a meaning, and when a terrible hailstorm shatters the Hemulen`s greenhouse and destroys all his plants, Moomin`s find comes to play a most important role. | September 19, 1991 |
| 76 - 176 | "Painting a House" (こわれたおうち) | There is no end to the catastrophes that befall the Hemulen - barely has the hailstorm destroyed his beloved plants when a terrible wind makes off with part of his roof, and then Little My descends on him, making the hole in the roof even bigger. She and her friends decide to do all the necessary repairs, and get so caught up with their work that when it is finished they decide to re-paint everything inside, too. This is very kind of them, but sometimes people like their old walls, even if the paint may peel a bit... | September 26, 1991 |
| 77 - 177 | "The Great Race" (完成!空飛ぶ船) | Finally, the Snork`s flying ship is ready for its test flight, but the Snork is beset by trouble. His balloon leaks and when, on top of that, another aviator in a balloon arrives, the Snork is very dejected, indeed. The stranger and the witch arrange a race between them in which the Snork cannot take part. Indeed, will he get his flying ship off the ground at all? | October 3, 1991 |
| 78 - 178 | "Going South" (ムーミン大空へ) | At last the Snork`s flying ship is working properly, and everyone is getting a ride in it - some very hazardous ones. Winter is just around the corner, and while the Moomins hibernate as usual, practically everyone else decides to go south for long trips. Snufkin is going too, of course, but before he goes, he gives Moomin a very special present. | October 3, 1991 |
VHS and DVD[]
Several English language VHS releases were produced, and in 2005 a Region 2 DVD of the first five episodes, entitled "Moomin Mania" was released by Maverick Entertainment, but was discontinued.
As of today 52 out of 78 episodes of season one are available on DVD in the UK by STAX Entertainment, on 4 separate DVD sets. The first 2 DVDs were released in 2008 and the 2 following DVDs were released in 2009. 2 other DVDs were also suppose to be released in 2010 but STAX stopped releasing them due to unknown reasons, resulting in the last 25 episode being missing from the DVD sets.
The whole series has been released on VHS tapes and Region 2 DVDs in Finland and Sweden. The DVDs feature both the Finnish and Swedish dubs. There was no box set however, only separate releases with four to five episodes on each (full-priced) DVD. The entire series has been released on DVD in Japan,[1] in Japanese only.
Differences from the books[]
This series has some differences from the books, more strongly than '80s The Moomins, but not as much as the first Japanese series from the '60s. Some notable differences include:
- "Moomintroll" is called "Moomin", except episode 1 (Japanese) where the narrator introduces him as Moomintroll.
- Little My appears in the TV series from the beginning, but she only appears in later volumes in the books, starting with Moominpappa's Memoirs.
- The Lady of the Cold looks very different from the description in the books.
- The episodes based on Moominsummer Madness feature Sniff and not Whomper and Misabel.
- In the second episode based on Moominpappa's Memoirs, Mymble replaces the role of Mymble's daughter.
- In the books, the Moomins exchange the King's Ruby for the Hobgoblin's top hat and the Hobgoblin later arrives to collect the King's Ruby with a new hat. In the series however, Hobgoblin gets his top hat back in the second episode and in the seventh episode the Moomins instead exchange the King's Ruby for a heart-shaped sea-shell Snorkmaiden gave Moomin. The wishes made to the Hobgoblin are different. In the series, Mr. Hemulen first wishes for a new spade to replace the one he borrowed and broke from Moominpappa. Then Snorkmaiden wishes for eyes like the Wooden Lady, but Moomin later wishes them back to normal after she ends up hating them. For the last wish, Thingumy and Bob wish for a ruby just like the Hobgoblin's. In the book, Mamma wishes for Moomin to not miss Snufkin being gone, and Moomin wishes for some of the party's food to go to Snufkin.
- A Fillyjonk raises Moominpappa in the orphanage in the series, while in the books it's a Hemulen who raises him.
- Snorkmaiden and Sniff, who disappear occasionally in the book series, have bigger roles in the TV series and they appear quite often throughout the series.
- Snufkin takes a friendly attitude towards people who are not in the Moomin family. He doesn't smoke a pipe in the series (possibly to avoid being a bad influence for children).
- Snork appears regularly and he's portrayed as a scientist and inventor whereas in the books he's a very minor character who mainly tries to solve varying problems with systematic approaches. Snork's fixation with flying is exclusive to the series.
- Alicia and her grandmother (the witch) are characters who were invented for the series, they did not exist in the books or comic strips.
Gallery[]
Adventures from Moominvalley EP71 The Slug-A-Bed Mushrooms
Adventures from Moominvalley EP54 Mymble's Diamond
Adventures from Moominvalley EP51 Snorkmaiden Goes Psychic
References[]
External links[]
- Tanoshii Muumin Ikka at the Internet Movie Database
- Template:Ann anime
- Template:Ann anime
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- Moomin at ClassicKidsTV.co.uk
- Telescreen and episode guide