A Drugged Bear with Laser Eyes

Many of us remember sitting in front of the flickering CRT (often black and white) with bated breath as the lively, simple Italian song began to play:

"Yattaman, Yattaman, vince in ogni guerra.

Sentinella della terra Yattaman."

Or maybe, the equally lively Italian rhythms of "Gigi La Trottola":

"Brutto non sei (oh Gigi) ma bello no (oh Gigi)

eppur con le donne t'arrangi lo so (ah! ahh!)"

These anime, along with hits like "Daimos," "Tiger Mask," and "Captain Tsubasa," were an important part of many millennials' childhoods. These are the anime we usually remember best, the ones most talked and written about. But on Polonia 1 at that time, there were more of them (exactly 23, see here: …). Many of them are etched in my memory, but one in particular stands out.

This anime took viewers to a completely different world with each episode. These were not worlds differing only in details, like who won the Second World War. These were entirely bizarre lands, each different, with everything differing from the basic laws of physics. The song went like this:

"And again Paul and Nina from the TV frame,

Will experience a thousand wonderful adventures, I tell you,

With his magic yo-yo, Paul will stand to fight with him,

Together with a toy bear that has lasers in its eyes."

It's called "Paul's Miraculous Adventure," and it's an anime distinguished by the creators' total and boundless release of imagination. I remember as a child being captivated by these worlds, genuinely awakening my young creative forces, and I'm sure it had the same effect on many others. Although, admittedly, now in older age, after 30 years, much of what such a wild series offered raises, hmm… unease? That a plush bear talked, just like the dog with big ears it used to fly, I get that. That's how fairy tales are. But why does the bear have crosses instead of eyes and looks like it's completely zonked? Why is Paul’s main opponent called Beautiful Satan (and how on earth is this a translation from the English “Belt Satan”)?

We have episodes about a laser-shooting bear in the land of numerical people, or a world of flying fish, fighting a funny mushroom man in the stationery land, and many other things that once absorbed me completely, and now leave me a bit… puzzled.

So, let’s remind ourselves what this “Paul’s Miraculous Adventure” was all about.

The History of "Paul's Miraculous Adventure"

The Creation of the Anime

"Paul's Miraculous Adventure" (Japanese: ポールのミラクル大作戦, Paul no Miracle Daisakusen) is an anime that first appeared on screens on October 3, 1976. The production was handled by the renowned studio Tatsunoko Production, which had previously gained fame with classics like "Speed Racer" and "Science Ninja Team Gatchaman." The series was directed by Hiroshi Sasagawa, known for his work on "Speed Racer" and "Tokimeki Tonight," and Mizuho Nishikubo, who also had a significant impact on the success of this production.

Direction and Screenplay

Hiroshi Sasagawa, the main director of the series, is an important figure in the anime world. His contribution to the development of the genre is invaluable, and "Paul's Miraculous Adventure" is one of his many successes. Together with Mizuho Nishikubo, Sasagawa created a series that combined elements of fantasy, adventure, and comedy in a way that captivated viewers worldwide. The screenplay was written by Jinzō Toriumi and Yu Yamamoto, who managed to create an intriguing and dynamic story full of surprises and plot twists, maintained in the style and essentially being the essence of the isekai genre.

What About the Manga?

Interestingly, "Paul's Miraculous Adventure" was not an adaptation of a manga. In the 1970s, when this anime was created, this was quite unusual since many (most) popular anime series were based on existing mangas. "Paul's Miraculous Adventure" was an original work created directly for television, which allowed the creators greater creative freedom and the introduction of unique ideas without the constraints imposed by source material.

Reception in Japan and Worldwide

The premiere of "Paul's Miraculous Adventure" took place on Fuji TV and lasted until September 11, 1977, covering 50 episodes. In Japan, the anime was well received, gaining recognition from both younger and older audiences. The creative approach to the storyline and the unique animation style attracted a wide audience, and the characters quickly became fan favorites.

Worldwide, the anime also gained popularity, especially in Europe. In Italy, the series was broadcast under the title "Il fantastico mondo di Paul" from 1980, gaining a large following thanks to its engaging plot and catchy theme song sung by Patrizia Pradella. In Poland, the series debuted in the early 90s on Polonia 1, where it quickly captured the hearts of young viewers. In many countries, including Spain, Korea, and Bulgaria, the anime was dubbed and broadcast under various titles, reflecting its international appeal.

Journey to Polonia 1

In the 90s, Polonia 1 was a true window to the world for young Polish viewers, transporting them to distant lands and fantastic worlds through a variety of anime. "Paul's Miraculous Adventure" (ポールのミラクル大作戦, Paul no Miracle Daisakusen) was no exception. The journey of this anime to Polish screens was full of twists and turns.

The Italian version of "Paul's Miraculous Adventure," known as "Il fantastico mondo di Paul," was broadcast in Italy from 1980. Thanks to this version, the anime gained popularity in Western Europe. Polonia 1, which began broadcasting in Poland in 1992, largely relied on Italian TV programs. The Italian connections of the station's owners allowed for the purchase of licenses to broadcast numerous Japanese anime, including "Paul's Miraculous Adventure.

The Plot of "Paul's Miraculous Adventure"

"Paul's Miraculous Adventure" is an adventurous tale about a young boy named Paul who faces incredible challenges to save his friend Nina. The story begins when Paul receives a plush bear named Pakkun for his birthday (this is the bear with 'x' instead of eyes, looking as if it’s permanently zonked out). To Paul's surprise, Pakkun comes to life and turns out to be the guardian of a portal leading to an alternate dimension known as the Land of Wonders.

Paul and Nina’s peaceful life is brutally disrupted when Nina is kidnapped by the demonic ruler Belt Satan (known worldwide as Belt Satan, but fans of Polonia 1 know better: he was called Beautiful Satan). Beautiful Satan aims to conquer both the Land of Wonders and the real world. With Pakkun’s help, Paul must travel to this magical land to save Nina. This is essentially the outline of all the episodes.

Each episode is a new adventure, during which Paul, armed with his magic yo-yo, fights various monsters and traps set by Beautiful Satan. He is supported by Pakkun, who can stop time and open passages between dimensions, and Doppe (who also seems a bit dazed, and what a name!), a talking Saint Bernard who can fly using his large ears.

During his journey, Paul meets many extraordinary allies and has incredible adventures in fantastic worlds full of living toys, giant sweets, and other bizarre creatures.

Characters

Paul / Paul (ポール)

Paul is the main character of "Paul's Miraculous Adventure," who must face the forces of evil to save his friend Nina. A teenage boy with a big heart, he is full of determination and courage. On a daily basis, Paul lives in a small, charming town and leads a peaceful life until his friend is kidnapped. Time stops, and a passage to another dimension opens.

Paul is armed with a magic yo-yo, which initially seems to be a regular toy but quickly proves to be a powerful weapon. The yo-yo can enlarge to enormous sizes and develop incredible powers, enabling Paul to face even the most formidable opponents. Despite his young age, Paul is an example of a loyal leader to his friends.

Nina / Nina (ニーナ)

Nina is Paul's friend who is kidnapped by the demonic ruler Beautiful Satan, becoming the primary motive driving Paul's adventures. With long blonde hair and blue eyes, Nina is not only beautiful but also brave and intelligent. She lives in a large, elegant estate with her parents, contrasting with Paul's simple life. Despite her kidnapping, Nina is not a typical "damsel in distress." In many episodes, she shows her determination and cleverness, trying to escape from Beautiful Satan and his helper Kinoppi. She often takes risks to help Paul and Pakkun in their mission.

Pakkun / Pakkun (パックン)

Pakkun is a magical sprite trapped in a plush toy that Paul receives for his birthday. He is the guardian of the portal to the alternate dimension, the Land of Wonders, and becomes a close companion to Paul. Pakkun has many remarkable abilities: he can stop time, transport people between dimensions, and use a magic hammer for various tasks, such as opening portals or enlarging objects. Pakkun is loyal and always ready to help, although his abilities are time-limited, often putting Paul and his friends in difficult situations. His friendly and funny personality adds lightness and humor to the storyline, and his courage and wisdom are indispensable in the fight against Beautiful Satan.

Doppe / Doppe (ドッペ)

Doppe is not an ordinary Saint Bernard. He is a talking dog who can fly using his large ears as wings. Doppe, dressed in a characteristic outfit, often becomes the main source of comedic moments in the anime. He is a loyal companion to Paul and Nina, always ready to support his friends in the most challenging moments. Despite his clumsiness and sometimes excessive caution, Doppe shows remarkable bravery when the situation demands it. His flying abilities repeatedly save Paul and his friends from danger, and his humorous approach to life adds charm and lightness to the storyline.

Beautiful Satan / Belt Satan (ベルトサタン)

Belt Satan, also known as Beautiful Satan, is the main antagonist of the series. His demonic appearance, with a massive, terrifying form, red eyes, and horns, contrasts with his nickname, which sounds more like a fashionable Italian chef's name than a dark ruler. Belt Satan is an incredibly powerful ruler from another dimension who kidnaps Nina in each episode to gain power and control over the Land of Wonders and the real world. His ruthless pursuit of power makes him an unyielding enemy of Paul and his friends. His powers include controlling monsters and creating elaborate traps.

Kinoppi / Kinoppi (キノッピー)

Kinoppi is Beautiful Satan's helper, created from a mushroom using demonic powers. Although he looks harmless at first glance, Kinoppi is a loyal servant of his diabolical master and participates in his evil plans. His task is to hinder Paul's group in their rescue mission. Kinoppi is also quite a clumsy character, adding a comedic element to the anime.

Typical Episode

In a typical episode of "Paul's Miraculous Adventure," viewers are drawn into an emotional journey that begins in Paul’s peaceful town. Paul and Nina spend time together, playing, talking, or simply enjoying a carefree day. Suddenly, disaster strikes – Nina is kidnapped by Beautiful Satan's minions, who transport her to the Land of Wonders to use her for their evil plans.

Paul, with the help of the magical sprite Pakkun, learns of Nina’s kidnapping and sets off to rescue her without hesitation. Time stops, Pakkun opens a portal to the Land of Wonders, and Paul, armed with his magic yo-yo, along with his loyal companion Doppe, jumps through the interdimensional passage to save Nina.

The Land of Wonders is different in every episode. Upon entering, the heroes must first understand how the visited land functions and what rules prevail there. They usually quickly realize something is wrong – something is breaking or threatening disaster. This is how they discover Beautiful Satan's actions. During their journey, they encounter one of the many traps set by Beautiful Satan – for example, a massive, terrifying monster made of lava and rocks. The monster blocks their path, and the situation looks hopeless.

Paul, keeping his cool, uses his magic yo-yo, which enlarges to massive sizes and strikes the monster with incredible force. Pakkun uses his time-stopping abilities, giving Paul the advantage needed to defeat the opponent. Doppe, with his large ears, flies around the monster, distracting it. Meanwhile, Kinoppi, Beautiful Satan's loyal helper, tries to thwart our heroes but often ends up comically failing.

The episode culminates when Paul reaches the hidden castle of his demonic opponent. There, after a fierce battle, he manages to free Nina, who has been imprisoned in one of the towers. Beautiful Satan appears to have a final showdown with Paul. After a dramatic fight, in which Paul uses all his skills and the support of his friends, he manages to temporarily defeat the demonic ruler.

The episode ends with Paul, Nina, Pakkun, and Doppe returning to the real world just in time before the portal closes for good. In the last moments of the episode, we see Paul and his friends resting in their town, preparing for the next adventure. Although Beautiful Satan is defeated again, the heroes know he will return.

Sound and Graphics

Animation Style

"Paul's Miraculous Adventure" stood out with an interesting animation style, characteristic of Tatsunoko Production's work in the 70s. The animation was colorful and detailed for its time, attracting young viewers. Tatsunoko studio used animation techniques that allowed for smooth and dynamic action scenes, which was also remarkable for its time. Special effects, such as Pakkun stopping time, were realized using innovative techniques like layering and multiplane shots.

Music

The music for "Paul's Miraculous Adventure" was composed by Shunsuke Kikuchi, who created a soundtrack that perfectly captured the adventurous atmosphere of Paul's journey. The musical themes were energetic and full of emotion, enhancing dramatic moments and dynamic action scenes. The title song, sung in various languages, became one of the most recognizable elements of the anime.

Continuations

In Japan, the series was released on DVD as part of the "Tatsunoko Pro Classics" series. These releases featured restored versions of the episodes, allowing fans to relive Paul's adventures in high quality. Each set included several episodes, often enriched with additional materials such as original commercials, interviews with the creators, and previously unpublished concept sketches. These DVD sets became valuable collectibles for anime fans and enthusiasts of classic Tatsunoko productions.

In Italy, where the anime gained immense popularity under the title "Il fantastico mondo di Paul," the series was also released on DVD. Italian DVD releases were well-received and often included the Italian language version along with the original Japanese soundtrack. The anime's popularity in Italy was so high that DVD releases were widely available, and the series was reissued several times, reflecting the enduring interest from fans.

In Poland, "Paul's Miraculous Adventure" was broadcast in the early 1990s on Polonia 1, introducing many young viewers to the world of Japanese anime. Despite its popularity, the anime unfortunately did not receive an official DVD release in Poland. Fans who wished to revisit Paul's adventures had to rely on foreign releases, television recordings circulating in private collections, or meticulously searching the internet.

"Paul's Miraculous Adventure" was also broadcast in other countries, such as Spain, where it was known as "Las aventuras de Paul." In Spain, like in Italy, the series received DVD releases that included the Spanish language version. Similarly, it was broadcast in Korea and the Philippines.

Summary

"Paul's Miraculous Adventure" is unique due to its concept, where each episode introduces viewers to a new, fantastical world with entirely different rules, characters, and laws. This diversity ensures the series never becomes monotonous, with each episode offering fresh, exciting adventures. The creators' creativity, both in world-building and character introduction, makes "Paul's Miraculous Adventure" one of the most memorable anime of its time.

The place of "Paul's Miraculous Adventure" in anime history is undeniable. As a Tatsunoko Production, the series contributed to the development and popularization of Japanese animation worldwide. In Poland, thanks to its broadcast on Polonia 1, the anime gained a large fan base and remains a symbol of childhood for many adults today.

 A connoisseur of Asian culture with a deep-seated appreciation for various philosophies of the world. By education, psychologist and Korean philologist. By heart, an Android developer and an ardent tech aficionado. In tranquil moments, he champions a disciplined way of life, firmly believing that steadfastness, perpetual self-enhancement, and a dedication to one's passions is a sensible path for life.

Personnal Motto:

"The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest."  - Albert Einstein (possibly)

  Mike Soray

(aka Michał Sobieraj)

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