Mahō no Mako-chan

Mahō no Mako-chan (魔法のマコちゃん; lit. 'Magical Mako') is a Japanese anime series by Toei Animation. The story is loosely based on the 1837 Hans Christian Andersen tale "The Little Mermaid". It was broadcast from 1970 to 1971 on Nippon Educational TV (NET), later rebranded as TV Asahi.

Mahō no Mako-chan
魔法のマコちゃん
Created by	Shinobu Urakawa
Written by	Masaki Tsuji
Directed by	Yugo Serikawa Yoshio Takami Takashi Hisaoka Hiromi Yamamoto
Music by	Takeo Watanabe
Country of origin	Japan
Original language	Japanese
No. of episodes	48
Production
Production companies	Toei Animation NET
Original release
Network	ANN (NET)
Release	2 November 1970 (1970-11-02) – 27 September 1971 (1971-09-27)

Plot

Mako is a beautiful mermaid and the youngest daughter of the Dragon King. She longs for the human world despite it being forbidden. One fateful night, she rescues a young man from drowning and falls in love with him. With the help of the sea hag, Mako is transformed into a human girl. Possessing the magical pendant called the "Life of A Mermaid", Mako meets many people and experiences many things as she learns what it means to be human, while searching for the young man she saved.

Main Characters

Mako Urashima (浦島マコ) Voiced by: Kazuko Sugiyama

The 15-year-old daughter of the Dragon King who yearns for the human world. Mako becomes human so she can be with the man she rescued from a shipwreck. She is adopted by an old man named Urashima and attends Karatachi Academy. Mako's parents gift her with a magical pendant called the "Life of a Mermaid."

Papa (パパ) Voiced by: Isao Yatsu, Mahito Tsujimura (episode 26)

The Dragon King himself. He is able to assume human form and appear on Earth so he can help Mako. He often lets his daughter do her own things but is stern, particularly with Mako's use of her magical pendant and the etiquette she should follow. Later on in the series, he is reprimanded by God for allowing Mako to live with humans.

Mama (ママ) Voiced by: Michiko Hirai, Kouko Kagawa

The Dragon King's wife and mother of Mako. She also contemplated becoming human when she was Mako's age.

Obaba (おばば) Voiced by: Kazue Takahashi

The sea hag who tells Mako how to become human.

Mako's older sisters (お姉様たち, onēsamatachi) Voiced by: Kouko Kagawa

Unlike Mako, most of them are content with their lives under the sea. One of Mako's older sisters does go exploring on the surface in one episode.

Mr. Urashima (浦島老人, Urashima rōjin) Voiced by: Tetsuya Kaji, Mahito Tsujimura (episode 11)

The old zoologist who found an unconscious Mako on the beach after her transformation into a human. He eventually takes her in as his adoptive granddaughter. He's very stern but deep down cares for Mako. His real daughter, Kyoko, died at sea many years ago. His surname, which Mako adopts, may be based on the legend of Urashima Tarō.

Akira Shigeno (茂野アキラ) Voiced by: Osamu Ichikawa, Isao Sakuma (Beginning with episode 41)

The young man Mako once saved from drowning. He had been on a cruise ship that was hit by a tsunami. Mako falls in love with him but once she becomes human, he's not found so easily. Akira is actually a drifter who does odd jobs and arrives and leaves town at will. Eventually he realizes Mako was the one who saved him that fateful night. In the original series proposal, his name was "Shinichi," which was used for the Spanish dub. He is modeled after Ken Takakura.

Taro Kada (神田太郎, Kada Taro) Voiced by: Hiroko Maruyama

Jiro's identical twin brother, Taro is the more realist of the two.

Jiro Kada (神田次郎, Kada Jiro) Voiced by: Keiko Tomochika

Along with his identical twin brother, Taro, are Mako's neighbors.

Haruko Hayashi (林ハル子, Hayashi Haruko) Voiced by: Sachiko Chijimatsu

Mako's classmate at school, she becomes her closest friend there. She loves jewelry.

Bancho (番長, Bancho) Voiced by: Hiroshi Ohtake

The gang leader of Karatachi School. He's in love with Mako. His real surname is Matsubashi.

Senkichi (千吉) Voiced by: Keisuke Yamashita, Akira Kamiya

Bancho's friend and lieutenant.

Tomiko Tomita (富田トミ子, Tomita Tomiko) Voiced by: Michiko Hirai, Kouko Kagawa, Hiroko Maruyama

Mako's classmate and rival. Her mother is wealthy and president of the school's PTA, hence her arrogance. Tomiko falls in love with Akira, which sparks a rivalry with Mako. She eventually becomes friendly with Mako.

Principal Voiced by: Terue Nunami

Principal of Karatachi. She is strict with the students, especially Mako, and often ingratiates herself to Mrs. Tomita in order to keep her donations to the school flowing.

Mr. Dabagon (ダバゴン先生, Dabagon Sensei) Voiced by: Ritsuo Sawa

Mako's homeroom teacher.

Mrs. Tomita (富田夫人, Tomita Fujin) Voiced by: Keiko Tomochika

Tomiko's mother. Head of Karatachi's PTA. Abuses her wealth to control the school.

Mrs. Kanda (神田夫人, Kanda Fujin) Voiced by: Kazuko Makino

Mother of Taro and Jiro. Raises and educates her sons in a very strict manner.

Mr. Kanda (神田さん, Kanda-san) Voiced by: Ryūji Saikachi

Taro and Jiro's subdued father.

Supporting Characters

Kaoru (かおる) Voiced by: Kouko Kagawa

A little girl who Akira befriends on the Sea Paradise cruise ship. The shipwreck leaves her traumatized. She eventually gets over her phobia thanks to Mako and a magic telescope given to her by Obaba. She is called "Naomi" during her second appearance. In the Spanish dub she is called "Kaoru" and "Midori." Appears in episodes 1 and 6.

Kaoru's Father (かおるの父, Kaoru no chichi) Voiced by: Eken Mine

A wealthy gentleman onboard the Sea Paradise who is dismissive of Akira at first. He is saved by Akira after going overboard. He later employs Akira to help his daughter, Kaoru. Appears in episodes 1 and 6.

Mizuguchi and Ryuuko (水口と竜子) Voiced by: Yasuo Yamada and Shoko Sonoda

Two con artists who pretend to be Mako's parents. They had swindled people in Paris. Appear in episode 2.

Jim (ジム, Jimu)

A African man who is falsely accused of a crime. Mako tries to restore his faith and urges him to clear his name. Appears in episode 11.

Chabin and Dobin (チャビンとドビン, Chiyabin to Dobin) Voiced by: Osamu Ichikawa and Isao Sakuma

Two young men who take a liking to Mako, much to her father's chagrin. Appear in episode 13.

Yuriko (ゆりこ) Voiced by: Nana Yamaguchi

The principal's daughter, who is studying in Paris. When she returns to Japan, she proposes uniforms for Karatachi Academy. Appears in episode 16.

Isao Sudo (須藤イサオ, Sudo Isao)

A top baseball player at Karatachi Academy. He has a secret girlfriend named "Yukiko." Appears in episode 17.

Miyuki Yokuta (横田ミユキ, Yokuta Miyuki)

Mako's classmate who befriends Urashima's pet monkey, Kiiko. She stops going to school and joins a biker gang after her parents abandon her. Appears in episode 19.

Yuuko (ユウコ) Voiced by: Sumie Sakai

Taro and Jiro's aunt. She wants to be a flight attendant. Appears in episode 20.

Minori (みのり) Voiced by: Kouko Kagawa

A young woman who looks exactly like Mako. She has an arranged marriage but she only wants to marry the man who saved her little sister's life. Appears in episode 23.

Prince Harz (ハルツ王子, Harutsu ōji)

Prince of Escalia. He falls in love with Mako. Appears in episode 26.

Rika (リカ) Voiced by: Yoshiko Ōta

A young woman who craves fame. She insinuates she was the one who rescued Akira. Appears in episode 41.

Suzue Satomi (里見鈴江, Satomi Suzue) Voiced by: Eiko Masuyama

She wants to meet the ghost of her mother, who died a year earlier. Appears in episode 43.

Funakichi Koinuma (鯉沼鮒吉, Koinuma Funakichi)

A creepy boy who transfers into Mako's class. He hypnotizes her classmates and lures them to a bombing testing site. Funakichi is revealed to be a kappa who wants to get revenge on mankind for how they've mistreated his people. Eventually he realizes the error of his ways and saves Mako's friends. His people go out in the world, deciding to believe in humanity. Appears in episodes 46 and 47.

Music

The scores and lyrics for Mahō no Mako-chan were created by Takeo Watanabe and performed by Horie Mitsuko.^[1] Some of the score was reused in later Toei series, including Majokko Megu-chan and Genshi Shonen Ryu.

Theme songs

Opening theme

"Mahō no Mako-chan" (Magical Mako) by Horie Mitsuko

Ending theme

"BOKU wa MAKO ni tsuite yuku" (I Follow Mako Around) by Horie Mitsuko

Episode List

No.	Title	Original release date	Ratings
01	"First Love" Transliteration: "hatsukoi" (Japanese: 初恋)	November 2, 1970 (1970-11-02)	17.4%
The youngest mermaid princess, Mako, disobeys her father and visits the surface. She sees a handsome young man on a passing ship and falls in love. The ship is hit by a tsunami which forces the passengers to flee on escape boats. The young man goes to save another drowning passenger and is swept up by the waves. Mako rescues the young man and decides she wants to become a human.
02	"From the Ocean with Love" Transliteration: "umi yori ai wokomete" (Japanese: 海より愛をこめて)	November 9, 1970 (1970-11-09)	17.4%
In order to find a home in the human world, Mako pretends to be an amnesic orphan. When she becomes the focus of a news program, a couple claim to be her parents. However, they are actually criminals hoping to use her to make money. Mako receives a magical pendant, “The Mermaid’s Life”, from her real parents. After escaping from the criminals, she is adopted by an old man named Mr. Urashima, who originally found her washed ashore.
03	"Karatachi Academy" Transliteration: "karatachi gakuen" (Japanese: からたち学園)	November 16, 1970 (1970-11-16)	21.4%
Mako begins her first day at Karatachi Academy, where her new friend, Haruko is falsely accused of stealing a ring.
04	"A New Seedling" Transliteration: "atarashi i me" (Japanese: 新しい芽)	November 23, 1970 (1970-11-23)	26.4%
Taro and Jiro are fed up with their mother and decide to run away. After a fun day playing with Mako, they come across an armed young man who holds them all hostage. The young man turns out to be a South Korean refugee.
05	"Magical Powers Revoked" Transliteration: "ubawa reta maryoku" (Japanese: 奪われた魔力)	November 30, 1970 (1970-11-30)	19.9%
Tomiko Tomita, the rich girl at Karatachi Academy, hates Mako for some reason. She starts spreading rumors that Mako's parents are in jail. Frustrated at how despicable humans act, Mako’s father takes away her pendant’s magical abilities. Unfortunately, Tomiko finds herself in a dangerous situation when her anger gets the best of her. Now Mako must find a way to save her without any magic.
06	"Tears of Reunion" Transliteration: "saikai no namida" (Japanese: 再会の涙)	December 7, 1970 (1970-12-07)	18.6%
Naomi is traumatized by the cruise ship sinking. Mako meets Akira but can't bring herself to tell him the truth. Note: Naomi was originally called "Kaoru" in the first episode.
07	"Vestige of a Human" Transliteration: "omokage no nin" (Japanese: 面影の人)	December 14, 1970 (1970-12-14)	17.7%
Akira is now working for Tomiko's family. Mako tries to tell Akira that she was the one who rescued him during the shipwreck. Tomiko gets jealous of Mako.
08	"Where is Santa Claus?" Transliteration: "santa wa doko ni" (Japanese: サンタは何処に)	December 21, 1970 (1970-12-21)	19.3%
The spirit of Christmas is in question as Mako searches for the true Santa Claus.
09	"Battle at the Hill Harbor" Transliteration: "minato ga oka no ketsu to" (Japanese: 港が丘の決斗)	December 28, 1970 (1970-12-28)	17.8%
Mako finds herself caught up in a nasty love triangle between Bancho and another delinquent student.
10	"Star of the School" Transliteration: "gakuen no hoshi" (Japanese: 学園の星)	January 4, 1971 (1971-01-04)	16.4%
Mako butts heads with the star basketball player of her school.
11	"Don’t run away, Jim" Transliteration: "nige naide jimu !" (Japanese: 逃げないでジム!)	January 11, 1971 (1971-01-11)	20.7%
Jim, a young African man, is falsely accused of stealing from a department store. Mako tries to restore Jim's faith in humanity.
12	"Sound of the Sea" Transliteration: "umi no hibiki" (Japanese: 海のひびき)	January 18, 1971 (1971-01-18)	17.7%
The sea by a small fishing village is terribly polluted by factories nearby. Mako meets with an old fishing man who fights for justice.
13	"Date with Papa" Transliteration: "papa to deeto" (Japanese: パパとデート)	January 25, 1971 (1971-01-25)	15.9%
Worried about what his blossoming daughter might be up to, Mako’s father spends a day with her.
14	"Wandering Youth" Transliteration: "samayou seishun" (Japanese: さまよう青春)	February 1, 1971 (1971-02-01)	14.8%
Mako runs into Akira again, who asks her to give a package to Tomiko. Mako is unaware that it contains unopened letters that Tomiko had written to Akira. Tomiko focuses all her resentment towards hurting Mako.
15	"A Trumpet that Bets on Tomorrow" Transliteration: "ashita ni kake ru toranpetto" (Japanese: 明日に賭けるトランペット)	February 8, 1971 (1971-02-08)	16.0%
Mako comes across two musicians with big dreams.
16	"We don’t want Uniforms" Transliteration: "seifuku haiyayo" (Japanese: 制服はいやよ)	February 15, 1971 (1971-02-15)	18.3%
The principal’s daughter, Yuriko, returns from France and wants to design uniforms for the school. Mako and her friends organize a protest.
17	"I Can Hear a Flute in the Snowy Night" Transliteration: "yuki no yoru ni fue ga kie ru" (Japanese: 雪の夜に笛が聞える)	February 22, 1971 (1971-02-22)	14.9%
Mako gets close to her terminally ill classmate, Tsudo, who has been receiving letters from a mysterious young woman named "Yukiko."
18	"A Spat Between Us" Transliteration: "shibukino nakano futari" (Japanese: しぶきの中の二人)	March 1, 1971 (1971-03-01)	15.8%
Mako meets a young man who is currently working for Tomiko’s family. As usual, Tomiko uses her jealousy as an excuse to harass Mako.
19	"Dangerous Youth" Transliteration: "kiken na nengoro" (Japanese: 危険な年頃)	March 8, 1971 (1971-03-08)	15.7%
Mako’s classmate, Miyuki, has stopped going to school and has been hanging around a bike gang. The truth is, her parents have abandoned her.
20	"The Stewardess and the Pilot" Transliteration: "suchuwadesu to pairotto" (Japanese: スチュワーデスとパイロット)	March 15, 1971 (1971-03-15)	15.9%
Taro and Jiro's aunt wants to be a stewardess but suffers from deteriorating eyesight. She fears she may lose the love of her life.
21	"A School of Liars" Transliteration: "usotsuki gakuen" (Japanese: うそつき学園)	March 22, 1971 (1971-03-22)	18.3%
The Karatachi Academy janitor has been lying to his daughter for years, claiming he’s actually the principal. When she visits Japan for the first time in a decade, it’s up to Mako and her friends to keep his lie going.
22	"Someone is Calling Me" Transliteration: "dareka ga yondeiru" (Japanese: 誰かが呼んでいる)	March 29, 1971 (1971-03-29)	14.6%
A mysterious young boy asks Mako to come into the countryside. The boy is actually a fairy who requires the power of her magical pendant to save a giant pine tree.
23	"The Improvising Cupid" Transliteration: "sokuseki kyupiddo" (Japanese: 即席キューピッド)	April 5, 1971 (1971-04-05)	16.0%
Mako meets a young woman named Minori who looks exactly like her. Minori's father is arranging her marriage, but she only wants to be with the mysterious man who saved her little sister's life.
24	"Who am I?" Transliteration: "atashi wa darenano?" (Japanese: あたしは誰なの?)	April 12, 1971 (1971-04-12)	15.8%
The school requires Mako to provide a family record, which she obviously doesn’t have. Since she is insisting she has amnesia, the authorities decide to send her away to regain her memory.
25	"Going Beyond the Mountains" Transliteration: "yama no nakata hi" (Japanese: 山のかなたへ)	April 19, 1971 (1971-04-19)	15.5%
The natural habitat of a colony of monkeys is threatened by a company that wants to cut down trees and build houses. Mako, Taro and Jiro try to help them find a new home.
26	"The Mischievous Prince" Transliteration: "itazura ouji" (Japanese: いたずら王子)	April 26, 1971 (1971-04-26)	16.0%
Prince Hans of Escalia is smitten by Mako and insists on spending time with her. Mako's father worries that his daughter is not sophisticated enough to be around human royalty.
27	"The Red Gallac" Transliteration: "akai gyarakku" (Japanese: 赤いギャラック)	May 3, 1971 (1971-05-03)	13.7%
Mako gets involved with a boy who pretends to own a fancy red car.
28	"Grand Angel" Transliteration: "gurando no tenshi" (Japanese: グランドの天使)	May 10, 1971 (1971-05-10)	15.5%
Karatachi Academy has a new P.E. teacher who makes the students do very challenging exercises.
29	"Pretty P~lease!" Transliteration: "onegaishima〜su!" (Japanese: おねがいしま〜す!)	May 17, 1971 (1971-05-17)	15.2%
Tomiko decides to run for student council.
30	"The Little Mermaid" Transliteration: "ningyo hime" (Japanese: 人魚姫)	May 24, 1971 (1971-05-24)	15.0%
After reading Little Women, Mako starts thinking about her sisters. One of Mako’s sisters has actually been visiting the surface lately and was seen by a young man named Mitsuo. He becomes obsessed with trying to capture her, believing a mermaid will make him lots of money. Mako frantically tries to save her sister. Note: Starting from this episode, Mako's pendant is called both "The Mermaid's Life" and "The Mermaid's Tear."
31	"King of the Last Stop" Transliteration: "shuuten no ousama" (Japanese: 終点の王様)	May 31, 1971 (1971-05-31)	12.8%
Mako forgets an important parcel for Mr. Urashima on the train.
32	"Lulu Lives On" Transliteration: "ikiteiru ruru" (Japanese: 生きているルル)	June 7, 1971 (1971-06-07)	12.6%
Mako takes home a St. Bernard who fell victim to a hit and run. The dog’s name is Lulu and she belongs to a rich blind girl named Nobuko. Unfortunately, Nobuko lives with her abusive uncle who hates dogs.
33	"A Fawn Comes to Town" Transliteration: "kojika machi wo iku" (Japanese: 子ジカ街を行く)	June 14, 1971 (1971-06-14)	12.4%
Mako, Taro and Jiro take in a young fawn after it was harmed by poachers.
34	"Song of Hangnails" Transliteration: "sasakure no uta" (Japanese: ささくれの歌)	June 21, 1971 (1971-06-21)	12.5%
Mako misses her mother and decides to write her some letters. Tomiko steals the letter and is confused by all the references to Mako’s mermaid life. Tomiko's mother finds the letters and has them published. Note: Kaoru/Naomi is mentioned again but this time she's called "Ayumi."
35	"The Manager’s Many Forms" Transliteration: "shachou shichihenge" (Japanese: 社長七変化)	June 28, 1971 (1971-06-28)	11.6%
Mako meets two different men who are crucial to the fate of the zoo Urashima works at.
36	"We Sell Lives" Transliteration: "inochi uri masu" (Japanese: 命売ります)	July 5, 1971 (1971-07-05)	11.6%
A man’s public suicide stunt is the work of a corrupt magazine.
37	"My First Lipstick" Transliteration: "hajimete no kuchibeni" (Japanese: はじめての口紅)	July 12, 1971 (1971-07-12)	11.3%
An anonymous person mails lipstick to Mako. Unfortunately, mermaids are unable to wear makeup. But who exactly sent it to her?
38	"Boss of the Jungle" Transliteration: "jyanguru banchou" (Japanese: ジャングル番長)	July 19, 1971 (1971-07-19)	12.4%
Mako and friends get mixed up with an all-girl biker gang. Mako discovers the leader has a softer side than she lets on.
39	"Don’t die, Mao" Transliteration: "mao shinani de" (Japanese: マオ死なないで)	July 26, 1971 (1971-07-26)	10.2%
Mako and friends try to save an old tiger from a terrible demise.
40	"Studying to be a Bride" Transliteration: "hanayome ninaru kenkyuu" (Japanese: 花嫁になる研究)	August 2, 1971 (1971-08-02)	9.2%
Mako doesn’t know how to cook, which makes Taro and Jiro think she won’t become a bride someday. Note: In this episode Mako says she's fourteen years old. This is a discrepancy, as she's fifteen in the first episode.
41	"Chance Encounter" Transliteration: "meguriai" (Japanese: めぐりあい)	August 9, 1971 (1971-08-09)	10.4%
Mako, Urashima and the twins go back to the beach where she was originally found. To her surprise, Akira is there working as a lifeguard. Things get complicated when another girl, Rika, implies she is the one who rescued Akira during the shipwreck. Note: It's been two years since the shipwreck. Akira's first appearance since episode 14. In this episode, the beach where Mako was found is called "Pearl Shore" however in episode two it was "Sakurazaki Coast."
42	"Just One Single Record" Transliteration: "tatta hitotsu no kiroku" (Japanese: たったひとつの記録)	August 16, 1971 (1971-08-16)	8.1%
God is furious and demands the Dragon King bring Mako back to the sea. Mako's class takes a trip on a cruise ship, where Akira is working. Akira finally realizes Mako was the one who saved him on that fateful day. God unleashes his fury and Mako's father is punished.
43	"A Ghost Dwells There" Transliteration: "yuurei ga soko ni iru" (Japanese: 幽霊がそこにいる)	August 23, 1971 (1971-08-23)	12.2%
Mako and her friends investigate a manor that is said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman who died there last year. The woman's daughter, Suzue, wants to meet her ghost.
44	"An Album without Pictures" Transliteration: "e no nai arubamu" (Japanese: 絵のないアルバム)	August 30, 1971 (1971-08-30)	11.7%
Mako discovers Mr. Urashima keeps an old family album in a safe and wants to see it. She is shocked to find out there isn't a single photograph in the album. Note: Mr. Urashima reveals his daughter's name was Kyoko.
45	"That Sunday Jerk" Transliteration: "nichiyobi no aitsu" (Japanese: 日曜日のあいつ)	September 6, 1971 (1971-09-06)	14.9%
Mako runs into a young man who pretends to be a tax collector.
46	"Tears of a Monster (Part One)" Transliteration: "youkai no namida (zenpen)" (Japanese: 妖怪の涙（前編）)	September 13, 1971 (1971-09-13)	12.5%
An eerie transfer student, Funakichi, arrives at Karatachi Academy. Mako discovers he is not human and has some sinister plan up his sleeves. Funakichi hynotizes Mako's classmates and lures them to a military testing ground.
47	"Tears of a Monster (Part Two)" Transliteration: "youkai no namida (kouhen)" (Japanese: 妖怪の涙（後編）)	September 20, 1971 (1971-09-20)	13.3%
Mako discovers Funakichi is a kappa. Long ago, kappa and humans lived together in harmony. However, humans began enslaving and killing kappa. Funakichi and his people want revenge on mankind. Mako's friends franctically try to escape the military testing ground. Funakichi is moved by Mako's compassion...
48	"Until The Day We Meet Again" Transliteration: "mata au hi made" (Japanese: また逢う日まで)	September 27, 1971 (1971-09-27)	13.6%
Akira is seriously injured and fighting for his life after protecting Mako. The Dragon King refuses to save Akira and prohibits Mako from using her pendant. Mako dives into the ocean depths, intending on dying the same time as Akira. As the Dragon King prepares to save Mako, the sea hag tells him it's only fair to save Akira as well. The next morning Mako wakes up in the hospital and discovers Akira has made a complete recovery. Akira decides to become a sailor like his father. Before he leaves, Mako asks him to throw her pendant into the ocean, as she doesn't need to rely on magic anymore. Mako becomes truly human.