Kaiketsu Zorro
Encyclopedia
is an Italian/Japanese anime
, based on the western character Zorro
. 52 episodes were produced, however, only 46 were broadcast in Japan
. The series became very popular in European countries, including Spain
and Portugal
, the colonial power of the area in the story. The Japanese counterpart
of zorro is kitsune
.
Diego is accompanied by Bernardo, a boy wearing a similar costume, dubbed "Little Zorro", and a small brown dog.
The main character of the series. As Diego he acts lazy and clumsy, usually showing cowardly, foolish and silly characteristics to hide his secret identity, but as Zorro he is the best swordsman in the world. Diego, just like his father, is always very calm and reasonable, unlike Lolita and Bernardo, who are very hot-headed and stubborn.
Lolita Prideaux
The female protagonist
of the series. Diego's spunky blond childhood friend and love interest. She's bossy over Diego, but she loves Zorro.
Bernardo/Little Zorro
The co-protagonist of the series, an abandoned orphan found by Diego when he was still a baby. Diego adopted and took care of him as if he was his younger brother or his son. He helps Zorro by eavesdropping in other people's conversations, and later develops his own alter ego, "Little Zorro". This role was popularized by pantomime comedian Gene Sheldon
.
Commandant Raymond
The main antagonist
of the series. The corrupt head officer of the Spanish Army in California. He is later killed by Zorro in a swordfight.
Lieutenant Gabriel
The second main antagonist of the series. An officer of the Spanish army who has an affection to Lolita. He is the right hand conspirator of Commandant Raymond on each of their evil plots in California. He is defeated and arrested by Sergeant Gonzales in the end of the series.
Don Alejandro de la Vega
Diego's Father.
Sergeant Pedro Gonzales
Stout sergeant who often serves as the comic relief. Comparable to Johnston McCulley
's character from 1920's The Mark of Zorro
.
, and are used for the 46 episodes which aired in Japan.
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
, based on the western character Zorro
Zorro
Zorro is a fictional character created in 1919 by New York-based pulp writer Johnston McCulley. The character has been featured in numerous books, films, television series, and other media....
. 52 episodes were produced, however, only 46 were broadcast in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. The series became very popular in European countries, including Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, the colonial power of the area in the story. The Japanese counterpart
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
of zorro is kitsune
Kitsune
is the Japanese word for fox. Foxes are a common subject of Japanese folklore; in English, kitsune refers to them in this context. Stories depict them as intelligent beings and as possessing magical abilities that increase with their age and wisdom. Foremost among these is the ability to assume...
.
Plot
Don Diego de la Vega returns from his study trip to discover his homeland is under the army's dictatorship. Diego, refusing to watch idly, disguises himself as Zorro to protect the weak and oppressed. Diego is not a coward but he is unable to win the affections of his sweetheart, Lolita Prideaux, who is attracted to other more noble men. Diego serenades Lolita as Zorro and fights the evils of his homeland, hoping to capture her heart.Diego is accompanied by Bernardo, a boy wearing a similar costume, dubbed "Little Zorro", and a small brown dog.
Main characters
Don Diego de la Vega/ZorroThe main character of the series. As Diego he acts lazy and clumsy, usually showing cowardly, foolish and silly characteristics to hide his secret identity, but as Zorro he is the best swordsman in the world. Diego, just like his father, is always very calm and reasonable, unlike Lolita and Bernardo, who are very hot-headed and stubborn.
Lolita Prideaux
The female protagonist
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
of the series. Diego's spunky blond childhood friend and love interest. She's bossy over Diego, but she loves Zorro.
Bernardo/Little Zorro
The co-protagonist of the series, an abandoned orphan found by Diego when he was still a baby. Diego adopted and took care of him as if he was his younger brother or his son. He helps Zorro by eavesdropping in other people's conversations, and later develops his own alter ego, "Little Zorro". This role was popularized by pantomime comedian Gene Sheldon
Gene Sheldon
Gene Sheldon was an American film and television actor and musician. He is best remembered as the mute servant Bernardo on Walt Disney's live-action TV series Zorro .-Biography and career:...
.
Commandant Raymond
The main antagonist
Antagonist
An antagonist is a character, group of characters, or institution, that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend...
of the series. The corrupt head officer of the Spanish Army in California. He is later killed by Zorro in a swordfight.
Lieutenant Gabriel
The second main antagonist of the series. An officer of the Spanish army who has an affection to Lolita. He is the right hand conspirator of Commandant Raymond on each of their evil plots in California. He is defeated and arrested by Sergeant Gonzales in the end of the series.
Don Alejandro de la Vega
Diego's Father.
Sergeant Pedro Gonzales
Stout sergeant who often serves as the comic relief. Comparable to Johnston McCulley
Johnston McCulley
Johnston McCulley was the author of hundreds of stories, fifty novels, numerous screenplays for film and television, and the creator of the character Zorro...
's character from 1920's The Mark of Zorro
The Mark of Zorro (1920 film)
The Mark of Zorro is a 1920 silent film starring Douglas Fairbanks and Noah Beery. This genre-defining swashbuckler adventure was the first movie version of The Mark of Zorro...
.
Episodes
- The symbol of justice is "Z"!
- Here comes Little Zorro!
- Gabriel, the plotter!
- Wake up my friend!
- Father's Secret
- A trap with a red jewel
- An heiress to property
- A guitar to kill
- Let's find the pirate treasure!
- Diego has become a ghost!
- The adventure of little Zorro
- Figaro, the stray dog
- Little Zorro at full blast
- The stagecouch is in danger!
- Lolita's kiss
- The sword for Japan
- Zorro is cornered!
- Diego, the clever detective
- A house of tricky devices
- The boy who seeks vengeance on Zorro
- Fly, the wings of dreams!
- Gonzales, the thief
- The bride is a Spanish girl
- Raymond, the enemy of the people
- The clown in tears
- Pepita, the liar
- Romping madam and the little Zorro
- Haunted ruins
- Mona Lisa is crying
- Gonzales in love
- Wicked design of the South India trading company
- The doctor is a drunkard
- A terrible wooer
- The order to kill Zorro
- Gonzales in love again
- Zorro was unmasked at last!
- Diego has become a rascal
- Lady inventor at full blast
- The battle in the storm
- My fair lady Zorro
- Lolita, get your gun!
- Trap by Ninja magic
- Beauty and monster
- Gabriel's rebellion
- The legend of the divine wood
- Zorro's head is cut off
- Governor-general kidnapped
- A righteous military officer
- Farewell to the army
- Blast off the demonic cannons!
- Raymond: a prelude to the collapse
- The sword of justice forever
Music
The series use two pieces of theme music. The Japanese Opening theme is "ZORRO", and the Japanese ending theme is "Chikai (誓い Oath)". Both songs are sung by the Japanese vocalist Masaaki EndohMasaaki Endoh
is a Japanese singer/songwriter who is prominent in the area of soundtracks for anime and tokusatsu productions. He is one of the founders of the anison supergroup JAM Project and has been a regular member ever since its inception in 2000. The group recently celebrated their 10th Anniversary with a...
, and are used for the 46 episodes which aired in Japan.