The appeal and reputation of Mojako: A deep look into the unique characters

"Mojako": A tale of space adventure and friendship

"Mojako" is a TV anime series that aired on TV Tokyo from 1995 to 1997 and is based on the original manga by Fujiko F. Fujio. The 74-episode series was hugely popular among children and was loved by many viewers. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the story, characters, production background, and appeal of "Mojako". We will also introduce recommended points for viewers and related information.

■ Story

The story of Mojako begins in a haunted building that was abandoned mid-construction. Sorao Amano and Miki, members of the Slightly Mysterious Club, sneak into the building to explore. There, they meet Mojako, an alien creature, and his robot companion Donmo. Mojako and Donmo make an emergency landing on Earth, an unexplored planet at the very end of the universe, to repair their broken-down spaceship, the Beagle. To repair the Beagle, three Cosmo Stones are needed. Sorao, Miki, Mojako, and Donmo go on space adventures in a pod every time, continuing their journey to find the Cosmo Stones.

■Explanation

When "Mojako" was made into an anime, Fujiko F. Fujio wrote the scripts for episodes 1 and 2 himself, along with director Endo Tetsuya. This allowed him to oversee the settings that differed from the original work, further enriching the worldview of the work. Director Endo Tetsuya was heavily involved in the composition of the entire series, carefully depicting the development of the story and the growth of the characters. In addition, production company OLM brought together experts in various fields, such as character design, art direction, and color design, to create high-quality animation.

■Cast

The voice actors for "Mojako" are as follows:

• Mojako: Mayumi Tanaka
• Sorao Amano: Ai Orikasa
• Miki: Junko Iwao
• Donmo: Nakamura Daiki
• Gonsuke: Kenichi Ogata
• Mojari: Sanae Miyuki
• Mojal: Megumi Hayashibara
• Pithecan: Wataru Takagi

These voice actors brought out the individuality of each character and left a deep impression on viewers. In particular, Mayumi Tanaka's voice of Mojako combined cuteness and humor and was popular with a wide range of people, from children to adults.

■ Main staff

The following staff members were involved in the production of "Mojako."

• Series Composition: Tetsuya Endo → Norifumi Terada
• Screenplay: Fujiko F. Fujio, Hideki Sonoda, Atsuhiro Tomioka, Shikichi Ohashi, Hiroshi Toda, Akira Takano, Yasuhiro Komatsuzaki, Raita Okura, Chinatsu Hojo, Kuniaki Yamashita, Haruya Yamazaki, Shigeru Yanagawa, Tetsuya Endo, Norifumi Terada
• Character design and chief animation director: Hidetoshi Owase
• Art director: Katsuyoshi Kanemura
• Color design: Yoshino Noritsugu
• Director of photography: Yoshida Mitsunobu
• Edited by Toshio Henmi and Yasue Funami
• Music: Megumi Wakakusa
• Sound Director: Jun Watanabe
• Music cooperation: TV Tokyo Music
• Public relations: Rei Anami → Yumi Sasa (TV Tokyo)
• Animation producers: Toshiaki Okuno, Shuichi Kanda (OLM)

Thanks to the cooperation of these staff members, "Mojako" has maintained a high level of quality and become a work that viewers can enjoy. In particular, character designer Hidetoshi Owase created the adorable visuals of Mojako and Donmo, greatly enhancing the visual appeal. Also, music composer Megumi Wakakusa provided music that enhanced the atmosphere of the adventure, adding depth to the story.

■ Main Characters

The main characters of "Mojako" are as follows:

• Sorao Amano: The first Earthling to become friends with Mojako. He is a member of the SF club and an adventurous boy.
• Mojara: A fluffy alien who travels through space in a rocket. He is very curious and has a deep interest in Earth culture.
• Donmo: A robot who travels with Prince Moja. He is loyal and reliable, but sometimes shows a humorous side.
• Miki: Sorao's classmate and vice-president of the SF club. She is intelligent and proactive, and enjoys adventures with Sorao.

These characters grow together, supporting each other and providing viewers with inspiration and laughter. The friendship between Moja-ko and Sorao in particular is a central theme of the story and has touched the hearts of many viewers.

■Subtitle

The subtitles for each episode of "Mojako" are as follows:

• Episode 1: Friends from Space (1995/10/03)
• Episode 2: Find the Cosmo Stone! (1995/10/10)
• Episode 3: Moja Goes to Monster Planet! (1995/10/17)
• Episode 4: Sorao's Marriage? A Great Prophecy (1995/10/24)
• Episode 5: Mojako's Fever (1995/10/31)
• Episode 6: Bodrow, the Thief's Planet (1995/11/07)
• Episode 7: Is Pithecan a psychic? (1995/11/14)
• Episode 8: The Star of the Casino (1995/11/21)
• Episode 9: Is a planet without homework a paradise? (1995/11/28)
• Episode 10: Moja Goes to Sorao's School (1995/12/05)
• Episode 11: Welcome to the SF Club (12/12/1995)
• Episode 12: Dongmo's White Christmas (1995/12/19)
• Episode 13: The Forbidden Star (1995/12/26)
• Episode 14: Hot baths are good, Moja! (1996/01/09)
• Episode 15: Barbecue Planet (1996/01/16)
• Episode 16: Pithecan's minion, Moja-ko? (1996/01/23)
• Episode 17: Sorao runs away from home! (1996/01/30)
• Episode 18: Mojari and Mojaru Appear (Part 1) (1996/02/06)
• Episode 19: Mojari and Mojaru Appear (Part 2) (1996/02/13)
• Episode 20: Gonsuke's Ambition (1996/02/20)
• Episode 21: A Little Shopping Trip with the Pod (1996/02/27)
• Episode 22: Being the housekeeper is fun! (1996/03/05)
• Episode 23: Mama's Expedition Plan (1996/03/12)
• Episode 24: The 11 Mojakos (1996/03/19)
• Episode 25: Mojako's Flower-Blooming Grandpa (1996/03/26)
• Episode 26: Moving to Sorao's House! (1996/04/02)
• Episode 27: Moja Wants to Be a Pet (1996/04/09)
• Episode 28: Are Kappa Aliens? (1996/04/16)
• Episode 29: Sushi is delicious, Moja! (1996/04/23)
• Episode 30: Moja, the Making Friends Machine (1996/04/30)
• Episode 31: Fortune Telling is Popular! (1996/05/07)
• Episode 32: I Love My Dentist! (1996/05/14)
• Episode 33: Fly, Fly! Mojapee (1996/05/21)
• Episode 34: I Want to Be a Magician (1996/05/28)
• Episode 35: The Mold and Mold Mission (1996/06/04)
• Episode 36: Muscular and Popular (1996/06/11)
• Episode 37: Moja wants to eat eel (1996/06/18)
• Episode 38: Detective Mojako (1996/06/25)
• Episode 39: Test of Courage with a Human Ball (1996/07/02)
• Episode 40: Overspeed (1996/07/09)
• Episode 41: Mojako becomes an angel?! (1996/07/16)
• Episode 42: Everyone Loves Diamonds (1996/07/23)
• Episode 43: Watermelon Smashing Contest! (1996/08/06)
• Episode 44: The Day Mojal Didn't Cry (1996/08/13)
• Episode 45: Moja wants to eat shaved ice (1996/08/20)
• Episode 46: Moja goes treasure hunting! (1996/08/27)
• Episode 47: Mojal, kidnapped? (1996/09/03)
• Episode 48: Will the mysterious Moja-ko appear? (1996/09/10)
• Episode 49: Superhero Mojako! (1996/09/17)
• Episode 50: Food Combinations Are Scary (1996/09/24)
• Episode 51: A Rival Appears! His Name is Momonja (1996/10/14)
• Episode 52: Behold! Momonja Style Monmon Techniques (1996/10/21)
• Episode 53: Moja's Little Big Adventure (1996/10/28)
• Episode 54: Sorao and the Time Capsule (1996/11/04)
• Episode 55: Dongmo Remodeling Plan (11/11/1996)
• Episode 56: Mojako is Sorry (1996/11/18)
• Episode 57: Miki-chan's Birthday (1996/11/25)
• Episode 58: Moja Goes to the Rainbow Planet (1996/12/02)
• Episode 59: Gonsuke's Potato Planet (1996/12/09)
• Episode 60: Can you eat Christmas? (1996/12/23)
• Episode 61: Moja the Snowman Runs Away (1996/12/23)
• Episode 62: The Great Pithecan Mission (1997/01/06)
• Episode 63: Who Looks Like a Yeti? (1997/01/13)
• Episode 64: Old Man's Earth Tour (1997/01/20)
• Episode 65: The Resurrected Mummy (1997/01/27)
• Episode 66: Mojari becomes a mother (1997/02/03)
• Episode 67: Just Pay the Money and Get It (1997/02/10)
• Episode 68: Ramen King's Ultimate Ramen (1997/02/17)
• Episode 69: Boss Moja is awful! (1997/02/24)
• Episode 70: Momonja's Big Confession (1997/03/03)
• Episode 71: The Secret of Momonja Village (1997/03/10)
• Episode 72: The Greatest Treasure in the Universe 1 (1997/03/17)
• Episode 73: The Greatest Treasure in the Universe 2 (1997/03/24)
• Episode 74: The Greatest Treasure in the Universe 3 (1997/03/31)

As you can see from the subtitles of each episode, "Mojako" depicts new adventures and events in each episode, and is designed to keep viewers from getting bored. In particular, the final episode, "The Greatest Treasure in the Universe," is a moving and moving climax to the story.

■ Theme songs and music

The theme songs and insert songs for "Mojako" are as follows.

• OP1 (episodes 1-34)
• Song title: CHU-CHU-CHU
• Lyricist: Naoko Osawa
• Composer: Hideaki Kikuchi
• Arrangement: Yoshitaka Mikuni
• Sung by: CRIPTON
• OP2 (episodes 35-50)
• Song Name: DREAM EXPRESS
• Lyricist: Kensaku Saito
• Composer: Kazumasa Denda
• Arrangement: THE JADOES
• Vocals: Saki Katori
• OP3 (episodes 51-74)
• Song Name: Shine
• Lyricist: MAHIRO
• Composer: YASU
• Arrangement: Dear, Tsuyoshi Tsuji
• Sung by: DEAR
• ED1 (episodes 1-34)
• Song title: If my lover was an alien
• Lyricist: Yumi Yoshimoto
• Composer: Motoyoshi Iwasaki
• Arrangement: Motoyoshi Iwasaki
• Vocals: Junko Iwao
• ED2 (episodes 35-50)
• Song Name: See you
• Lyricist: Kaoru Ito
• Composer: Akiko Kosaka
• Arrangement: Motoyoshi Iwasaki
• Vocals: Kiyomi Kobayashi
• ED3 (episodes 51-69)
• Song Name: What's Going to Happen?
• Lyricist: Miho Takai
• Composer: Ken Morioka
• Arrangement: Ken Morioka
• Sung by: ZAZA
• ED4 (episodes 70-74)
• Song Name: Too Late
• Lyricist: Yuki Saito
• Composer: Koji Ueno
• Arrangement: Yasutaka Mizushima
• Vocals: Yuki Saito

These theme songs and insert songs were important elements in enhancing the atmosphere of the story and left a deep impression on viewers. In particular, the opening song "CHU-CHU-CHU" was very popular with children, with its bright and cheerful melody. The ending song "If My Lover Was an Alien" is a ballad about a sad love that captured the hearts of many viewers.

■ Recommendation points

"Mojako" is a work that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. Below are some recommended points.

• A story of friendship and adventure: Each episode revolves around the friendship between Moja-ko and Sorao, and features a new adventure that keeps viewers hooked.
• Humorous characters: The humorous actions and lines of Moja-ko and Dong-mo make children laugh. The other characters are also unique and beloved by viewers.
• High-quality animation: Produced by OLM, the character designs, art, colors, etc. are of high quality, making it very visually appealing.
• Emotional Climax: The final episode, "The Greatest Treasure in the Universe," is sure to move viewers to tears with its moving twists.
• Nostalgia and freshness: Although it was made in the 1990s, it still has a fresh appeal even when viewed today. It will bring back memories, especially for children who grew up in that era.

Related information

The following information is related to "Mojako".

• Original manga: The original manga by Fujiko F. Fujio was published by Shogakukan and is still available today. It features a different story and character settings than the anime.
• Merchandise: Mojako character merchandise was popular at the time, and is still available on auction sites today.
• Events: When "Mojako" was on the air, character shows and events were held, attracting many fans. Fan events are still held today, so be sure to check them out.
• Streaming services: "Mojako" is currently available to watch on several video streaming services. You can enjoy past episodes, so be sure to check them out.

Conclusion

"Mojako" is a heartwarming animated work depicting friendship and adventure. It is full of many charms, such as the friendship between Mojako and Sorao, a new adventure every time, humorous characters, high-quality animation, and a moving climax. It is a work that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, so please give it a watch at least once. You will feel nostalgia and freshness. You can also enjoy the original manga, merchandise, and events, so you can enjoy the work even more as a fan. "Mojako" will continue to be a work that will be loved forever.