CDMX, Mexico.-If you were born at the end of the last century and you were one of those who sat down on time to watch cartoons and series children, you must read this note.
Before the videos, DVD, USB. Before the weekly package and record sales points existed, Cubans only had two channels: Cubavisión and Tele Rebelde. In these spaces, children’s programming was limited to a couple of hours during the week, which only left you eager to see more. Yes, even the dolls rationalized us children of the special period. Not to mention the black and white televisions that miraculously turned on. But in this text we will not tell that. We better focus on happy memories.
On the Cuban side, we grew up and laughed with the popular Elpidio Valdés and other cartoons that, as adults, it is impossible not to see the dose of propaganda that was injected into us from childhood. Chuncha, for example, is an active member of the CDR and the FMC. The member of the CDR who does the most guard duty, voluntary work, saves electricity and ensures that others do the same. While Matojo is a good pioneer.
As for the international series, we searched memory and we propose six titles that gave us hope while the real world was full of limitations. This is a nostalgic note to remember our childhood and the series we grew up with.
Angel, the flower girl
What Cuban girl did not want to have a talisman like Angel’s? The blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl had a brooch with which she could magically change her clothes in any situation. So she always managed to look splendid, whether it was on a walk through the woods or a party.
In the animated series, Angel is a teenager who descends from fairies. That’s why she has a special mission: to find the flower of seven colors. To achieve this, she travels the world accompanied by a very special dog and cat.
On his journey, he confronts Malina, the villain who wishes to seize the magical flower to reign in the world of fairies. Along with Malina travels Boris, a raccoon-man whose tail continually gives him away, despite dressing as a human.
Ángel travels the world helping other people and protecting nature. Finally the Flower of the Seven Colors was in the garden of his house.
Ulysses 31
U-Ulysses, U-Ulysses /
it flies through the galaxies /
faster than a shooting star…
Several years have passed, but Ulises 31’s song stuck to the memory of many, just like the characters who flew through space.
For those who have not seen it, I summarize the plot. This series that marked several generations (they broadcast it over and over again) takes the story of Ulysses from Greek mythology, written by Homer, to the future. Nothing more and nothing less than the XXXI century.
The program consists of 26 half-hour episodes. Each one mixed mythological elements in a futuristic environment. Odysseus was a hero who wandered through space in search of his home, with Zeus and the gods hindering him.
From this series, the song, the long hair of the protagonist and Nono, the small and funny red robot, were imprinted in our memories.
Voltus V
Let’s unite! It must be one of the first sentences that everyone remembers when talking about the children’s series that drove Cuban children crazy. This, although it is the oldest of all the ones on the list (it was released in 1977) is one of the most remembered on the island. to the point that there is a group on Facebook which brings together local admirers of the robot. They organized a physical meeting last September to remember the anime.
Voltus V is a giant robot that was formed from the union of five ships. Although it was apparently a fictional story involving another planet and unexplored scientific advances, the plot showed values such as teamwork, friendship, kindness, and the importance of fighting for just causes.
The Wizard of Oz
It all started with a tornado that hit Kansas and took Dorita flying to the world of Oz.
Inspired by the books of L. Frank Baum, it tells the story of an orphan girl who lives with her uncles and by an accident of nature is transported to a magical world. There she meets the good witch of the north, who tells her that the only person capable of sending her back home is the Wizard of Oz.
In her search, Dorita meets the Scarecrow, made of straw and without a brain, the Tin Man, made entirely of metal and without a heart, and the cowardly Lion, who wishes to become brave. Although really everyone already had what they longed for. Together they live infinite adventures for more than 50 chapters.
The Castle of Rá-Tim-Bum
On Thursdays, Cuban children were without fail in front of the television waiting for the adventures of Nino and his friends in a world full of magic.
Castelo Rá-Tim-Bum was the name of one of the series that captivated the generation of the 90s and when it was broadcast around 2008, many watched it again. What was special about it? All.
Nino is a 300-year-old witch boy who lives with his uncle, Dr. Victor, a 3,000-year-old sorcerer and scientist, and his great-aunt Morgana, a 6,000-year-old sorceress.
The three of them live in a castle, with passageways, in the heart of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Talking animals, supernatural creatures, little birds that sing all the time live in the castle; but even so, Nino feels lonely and decides to cast a spell to attract other children from the city to his house. Pedro, Biba and Zequinha were chosen to enter this wonderful world.
the story teller
This is probably this editor’s favorite. I confess that I looked for her as an adult and copied her to a USB to see again her stories Hans, my hedgehog, Juan without fear, the tale of the three crows. Even without surprising special effects, the fantastic stories told by that man sitting by the fire with his talking dog, captivated children and adults.
The English series, released in 1989, has two seasons, each with a different narrator. The first recreates European legends through the combination of real actors and puppets, while the second bets on Greek mythology. If you remember her and you’re also a fan, we have good news for you: this one is available on Amazon Prime.
Now tell us in the comments which series were your favorites.
