What was the first Japanese produced animated children's TV series to air in the United States?
The first Japanese produced animated children's TV series to air in the United States was "Astro Boy" in 1963. In Japan, this series premiered on Fuji TV in January 1962 and was the first popular animated Japanese TV series to express the aesthetic or art form which is today known throughout world as anime.
Because the series ("Astro Boy") enjoyed total success in Japan, it became the very first anime to be broadcast in non-Japanese markets. The shows "Speed Racer", "Voltron", and "Hello Kitty" were good examples of anime programs that became successful franchises in the United States oversea market in 1967, 1984, and 1987 respectively.
More Info:
en.wikipedia.org
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2 Comments
Doug Kern
Dang it, thought it was Speed Racer, used to watch it as a kid.
lls
I remember when I was 4, my brother would always get up around 5:30, during the week, so that he could catch his bus...Mom would let us watch "Astro Boy," while we ate breakfast. By the time he left on the bus, the sun was up, and it was "Captain Kangaroo" time...pretty lovely entertainment mornings!