The Wonderful Adventures of Nils: A thorough analysis of a fascinating story of adventure and growth

The Wonderful Adventures of Nils - A story of adventure and growth

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

novel

■ Broadcast period

January 8, 1980 - March 17, 1981

■Broadcasting station

NHK

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 52

■Original Story

C. Lagerlöf

■ Director

Nagayuki Chokai

■ Production

Animation produced by Gakken/Studio Pierrot

■Works

©Gakken Educational Publishing

■ Story

Nils is a mischievous boy who is lazy and hates studying. He is always tormenting animals. His parents are very worried about him. Today is Sunday. Nils is playing instead of going to church, and he angers a fairy, who casts a spell on him. As a result, Nils becomes small, but he is able to communicate with animals. Together with the goose Morten and the hamster Carrot, Nils sets off on a journey as part of a flock of geese. Through his adventure, Nils learns courage, responsibility and cooperation. This is a story of his own growth and of reaffirming his bonds with his family and friends.

■Explanation

The 52-episode series "The Wonderful Adventures of Nils" was broadcast on NHK and was met with great acclaim. One day, Nils, a mischievous boy living in a rural area in southern Sweden, breaks a promise to a fairy and is magically shrunk by magic. However, this gives him the ability to talk to animals, and he sets off on a journey as a member of a flock of geese with Morten the goose and Carrot the hamster. Through his adventures, Nils learns courage, responsibility, and cooperation. This work depicts universal themes that not only give children dreams and hope, but also inspire adults. The original work, "The Wonderful Adventures of Nils," published in 1906 as a children's book by Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf, is a masterpiece that continues to be loved around the world.

■Cast

・Nils/Mami Koyama ・Morten/Yoshito Yasuhara ・Carrot/Yui Yamazaki

■ Main staff

・Direction: Toriumi Nagayuki ・Script: Taguchi Narumitsu

■Subtitle

1/Naughty Nils 2/Shrunken Nils 3/Riding on a Goose 4/Squirrel's SOS
5/Morten in big trouble 6/The birds' physical strength test 7/The rat fight 8/The crane's ball 9/Nils is hungry 10/Rex's evil plan 11/The walking statue 12/Morten's first love 13/The sheep of Hell's Valley 14/The phantom city floating in the moonlight 15/The greedy crow and the pot of gold coins 16/Decide who is the crow's boss 17/The ducklings are baited 18/The lake disappears 19/The spoiled deer 20/The snake's revenge 21/The weather witch's prank 22/The twin bears chased through the forest 23/The great flood of Swan Lake 24/Damn Rex, the watchdog operation 25/The rescue team from the sky 26/What happened on that stormy day 27/Morten's engagement 28/Nils sings on the street corner 29/Captive The Eagle of the Sea ・30／The Taste of Freshly Baked Bread ・31／The Forest Monster ・32／Dangerous Nils, There's a Forest Fire ・33／The Five Detectives ・34／The Battle Between the Sun and the Ice Fairy ・35／The Gooseling Searches for His Father ・36／The Love of Birds ・37／Morten, the Serious Daddy ・38／Laplan, Where the Sun Never Sets ・39／Don't Follow Me, Golgo ・40／The Wolf's Attack ・41／The Fire Festival on the Lake ・42／The Giant Who Created the Forest ・43／Nils' Nanny ・44／Bataki is Trapped ・45／The Haunted House under the Full Moon ・46／The Silver Sea ・47／The Caller at the Village Festival ・48／Rex's New Departure ・49／Nils Learns the Secret ・50／The Goose's Present ・51／Back to My Good Old Home ・52／Goodbye, Akka

■Detailed explanation

"The Wonderful Adventures of Nils" is an anime series that aired on NHK from 1980 to 1981, and is based on the children's book "The Wonderful Adventures of Nils" by Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf. The story follows the protagonist Nils, who is magically transformed into a tiny body and embarks on an adventure with animals. As Nils continues his journey as part of a flock of geese with Morten the goose and Carrot the hamster, he faces many difficulties and grows as he overcomes them. The story focuses on Nils' growth and the lessons he learns about courage, responsibility, and cooperation.

This anime not only gives children hope and dreams, but also depicts universal themes that inspire adults. Through Nils' adventures, viewers can have the opportunity to reexamine their own lives and values. The original children's book was published in 1906 and is a classic that continues to be loved around the world, and its appeal is fully enhanced in the anime.

■Character Introduction

Nils <br> The main character is a boy. He likes to play pranks and hates studying, but he is transformed by a fairy's magic into a small body and becomes able to communicate with animals. Through his adventures, he learns courage, responsibility, and cooperation.

Morten <br> A goose who is Nils' traveling companion. He travels with Nils as part of the flock of geese. He is a good friend to Nils and sometimes a helper.

Carrot <br> A hamster who is Nils' traveling companion. He goes on adventures with Nils. He is very curious and sometimes gets Nils into dangerous situations, but ultimately he is there to support Nils' growth.

■Production Background

"The Wonderful Adventures of Nils" was produced by Gakken and Studio Pierrot. It was directed by Toriumi Nagayuki and written by Taguchi Narumitsu. It faithfully reproduces the original children's literature while taking advantage of the expressive power of animation. When it was first broadcast on NHK, it was highly praised and received support from many viewers.

■ Evaluation and impact

"The Wonderful Adventures of Nils" has been loved by many viewers since it was first broadcast to the present day. It is especially highly regarded as a story that gives children dreams and hope. The original children's book is loved all over the world, and the animated version has succeeded in enhancing its appeal. Through Nils' growth and adventures, viewers are given the opportunity to reexamine their own lives and values. The work depicts universal themes that inspire not only children but adults as well, and its influence is immeasurable.

■Reasons for recommendation

"The Wonderful Adventures of Nils" is a work that can be enjoyed by both children and adults, and is especially recommended as a story that gives children dreams and hope. Through Nils' adventures, viewers can learn the importance of courage, responsibility, and cooperation. In addition, the original children's literature is loved all over the world, and the animated version has succeeded in enhancing its appeal. Watching it together as a family will deepen communication between parents and children. Furthermore, through Nils' growth and adventures, viewers will have the opportunity to reexamine their own lives and values. This work depicts universal themes that inspire not only children but also adults, and its influence is immeasurable. We recommend that you give it a watch at least once.