Anime / Moomin (1969)

Nee Mumin, kocchi muite...

The first animated adaptation of The Moomins. It debuted on Fuji Television in 1969 as part of World Masterpiece Theater and ran until 1970, with 65 episodes. This was followed by a sequel series, known as "Shin Mūmin" or "New Moomin", in 1972, with a further 52 episodes. Both versions are infamous for author Tove Jansson's less than favorable views on it, and were never aired outside of Japan as a result, but were nevertheless a big hit for the audience.

This wouldn't be the last time the Moomins were adapted in anime form, as another series would be made in 1990.

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Tropes specific to the 1969 anime:

• Adaptation Distillation: Though the 1969 series adapts elements from the books, there is no continuity between them, and many of the episodes are original plots. The sequel series takes more cues from the books but is still episodic.
• Adaptation Dye-Job:
  • The Moomins are gray rather than white in this version — Moominmamma and Moominpappa are a darker shade of gray, while Moomin himself is a lighter shade of gray. In the 1972 revamp he's become even lighter, but still not the pure white of the original.
  • The Snorks are green, though this might be a reference to the original Comet in Moominland book where they change color based on their emotions, and Snork Maiden was introduced as "pale green." This is definitely the only version where her fringe is pink, though.
  • Mymble's hair is green in this version, as opposed to other incarnations where she has the same red hair as Little My.
• Adaptational Name Change: Rather than a direct translation, "Snorkfröken/Snorkmaiden" became "Non-non", the first of her name changes in the anime adaptations.
• Adaptation Personality Change: Pretty much all the characters get hit with this to some extent. Their roles and basic character types remain mostly the same, but many of their traits have been drastically altered.
  • One of the most noticeable ones is Little My, who has gone from a fiercely independent and cheerfully angry troublemaker to an overemotional Bratty Half-Pint. While she will sometimes depict shades of her original independence and go-getter attitude, she's played up much more as a helpless child who needs others to take care of her. She even cries frequently, which the original Little My never did.
  • The Moomins themselves are still basically the friendly, hospitable sort, but Moomin has become more of a misbehaving Bratty Half-Pint (though not to the extent of Little My), while Moominpappa and Moominmamma are stricter and not as lenient.
  • The prize for the most changed character, though, has to go to the Groke, who's a fully voiced character and isn't even presented as scary.
• Art Evolution: The series goes through four distinct styles. Firstly, there's the pilot, where the moomins are drawn very lumpy with wide, long snouts compared to their later slimmer bodies. Sniff also has smaller ears than in the series proper, and Snufkin is drawn much shorter with a dark outfit and white scarf, instead of his yellow and red one.
  • The first 26 episodes were originally produced by TMS Entertainment. Tove Jansson's criticisms of the series led to the original director being fired, and the series being passed to another studio, Mushi Productions (beginning with episode 27), for the remainder of its run.
    • The style shifted again when the series returned in 1972 under the same studio.
• Ascended Extra: An interesting example: while Sorry-oo is a sapient minor character seen only in Moominland Midwinter and The Dangerous Journey, this series turns him into Moomin's pet dog, with frequent appearances.
• Bratty Half-Pint: Little My, who goes from one of the older, strong-headed, and independent characters of the series, to a helpless, angry child under the care of her older sister, Mymble.
  • In one episode, she accidentally burns down their house, allows Snufkin to take the blame, and then cries when caught. In another, she throws a tantrum because she doesn't have a (golden) tail like Moomin's.
  • Moomin in this series is also far more brash than his book counterpart. While he retains the friendliness and curiosity of the original, he's far more impulsive, self-centered, and explosive, and isn't above pranking others.
• Cowboy Episode: In the 1969 episode "The Gunman of Deserted Mountain", when three outlaws come to Moominvalley in search of gold.
• Darker and Edgier: One of the primary reasons for Tove's dislike of the series, which she created specifically to escape the harsh realities of the real world. In this version, everything feels a little darker, a little bleaker, with the inhabitants of the valley acting noticeably more petty, hasty, and intolerant. Characters even visibly bleed on multiple occasions.
• Leitmotif: Snufkin's signature song, "Osabishiyama no Uta", which he's often introduced as singing or playing on his guitar in both series. An instrumental version is used for background music whenever appears in a scene.
• Trip to the Moon Plot: Naturally, for a show from 1969. Snork builds a balloon for Moomin to float up to the moon in, who spends the episode exploring what looks suspiciously like Moominvalley.
• The Stoic: Snufkin, even more so in the sequel series, where he rarely shows any emotions good or bad. There are only two occasions where something moves him enough to shed Manly Tears, both relating to Moomin showing him kindness.
• You Don't Look Like You:
  • Snufkin is usually illustrated as wearing green clothes and a matching hat, as well as being the same height as Moomin. Here, he's noticeably much taller, with a brown hat and yellow clothes. Also, he plays a guitar instead of a harmonica.
  • Snork also looks distinctly different, with a large head of curly blonde hair. This is likely based on an illustration in "Finn Family Moomintroll" where he wears a Judicial Wig.
  • Not to mention Moominmama and Moominpapa, who are now both a darker shade of grey compared to Moomin's pure white.