The Swiss Family Robinson: Flone of the Mysterious Island

Swiss Family Robinson
Screenshot of the opening logo of The Swiss Family Robinson: Flone of the Mysterious Island
家族ロビンソン漂流記 ふしぎな島のフローネ (Kazoku Robinson Hyōryūki Fushigi na Shima no Furōne)
Genre	Adventure
Anime television series
Directed by	Yoshio Kuroda
Produced by	Koichi Motohashi, Takaji Matsudo
Written by	Shozo Matsuda
Studio	Nippon Animation
Network	Fuji Television
English network	The Family Channel, Smile of a Child
Original run	4 January 1981 – 27 December 1981
Episodes	50 (49 in the English dub due to two episodes being merged into one episode)

The Swiss Family Robinson: Flone of the Mysterious Island (家族ロビンソン漂流記 ふしぎな島のフローネ Kazoku Robinson Hyōryūki Fushigi na Shima no Furōne) is an anime series produced by Nippon Animation.

The story is loosely based on the novel Swiss Family Robinson by Swiss author Johann David Wyss. As such it exhibits the same geographically impossible array flora and fauna.

The character of Flone is not present in the original novel, in which the Robinson family consists of only a father, a mother, and four sons (no daughters). It is likely that Flone was introduced by Nippon Animation as a new character for the anime version in order to attract more girls as viewers. Also in the anime version, the oldest of the Robinson children, Fritz, is named "Franz" (though his name is changed back to Fritz in the English dub), and the character of Jack is a three-year-old rather than a ten-year-old.

Very popular in Europe, this anime is one of the few World Masterpiece Theater series to have been dubbed into the English language for the American market. An English dub by PMT, Ltd, titled simply Swiss Family Robinson, aired on The Family Channel cable network in the U.S. in 1989. This dub renames Flone "Becca" as well as her older brother Franz "Fritz". It can currently be seen on the Smile of a Child network and Amazon Prime video.

Episodes

(First in the series original Japanese episode titles followed by the original English translation and PMT,Ltd. episode titles)

1. Ittsuu No Tegami-One Letter (AKA The Adventure Begins)
2. Tabidachi-Journey(AKA Becca Makes Plans)(* A clip of the upcoming episode is shown after the conclusion of the episode)
3. Furōne No Kokoro Karari-Flone's Change of Heart (AKA Strange Company)
4. Osutorāria Mezashita-Toward Australia (AKA To Australia)
5. Furōne Senchou-Captain Flone(AKA Becca Takes the Helm)
6. Kowai Arashi-Terrifying Storm (AKA The Terrible Typhoon)
7. Nandemo dekirou tousan-The Father That Can Do Anything (AKA Shipwreck!)
8. Shima-wo mezashita-Aim For The Island (*Episodes 7 (The Father That Can Do Anything) and 8 (Aim For The Island) were merged in the American English Dub)
9. Atarashii Kazoku-New Family (AKA Mysterious Island){*Introduces a Marsupial type Creature named Meri-chri. In the American English Dub Mercedes (Meri-chri) becomes the newest member of the family}
10. Kanashihimi no Saikai-Sad Reunion (*Same title in the American English Dub)
11. Obake no Ki-Haunted Woods (AKA The Monster Tree)
12. Okaasan no Katsuyaku-Mother's Enthusiasm (AKA Wolf Attack) (Note that the "Wolves" are Tasmanian Wolves or Tigers are now extinct)
13. Furantsu No Me-Franz's (Fritz's) Eyes (AKA The Deep Darkness)
14. Kaigara No Utaga kikoeru-I Can Hear The Song of the Seashells (AKA Song from a Shell)
15. Ki No Ueno i.e.-House Up the Tree (AKA The House in the Treetops)
16. Wayaga No Nikka-Home Lesson (AKA Farmer in the Family)
17. Okaasan no Hakate-Mother's Field (AKA The Scarecrow)
18. Merekuru Wo Tasukr Te!-Rescue Meri-chri! (AKA Rescuing Brewster/Brewster to the Rescue)
19. Furōne, Kari Ni Iku-Flone Goes Hunting (AKA Becca Goes Hunting)
20. Fune Ga Mieru-I Can See the Ship (AKA Ship Ahoy!)
21. Kame No Akachan-Baby Turtle (AKA Turtle Hatchery)
22. Jakku Ha Korekutā-Jack Is A Collector/Collector Jack(AKA The Beachcomber)
23. Munjintou No Kyuujitsu-Holiday on an Inhabited Island (AKA Vacation Time)
24. Furōne No iede-Flone leaves Home (AKA Becca Seek Higher Places)
25. Munjintou No Yoru Hamakkurayami-Night of the Inhabited Island Is Pitch-Black Darkness (AKA Lighting The Flame)
26. Oniichanwa Yumi No Meishu?-Brother is an Archer? (AKA Gum-Tree Shoes)
27. Munjintou No Ongakukai-Music Fair on the Inhabited Island (AKA For Better Or For Worse)
28. Jakku No Byouki-Jack's Sickness (AKA Saved From Death)
29. Furōne Yukuefumeito naru-Flone's Whereabouts Unknown (AKA Down The Wrong Path)
30. Kitsui-wo Shioki-Tight Punishment (AKA A Firm Hand *note a scene in the episode where Flone/Becca was punished by her mother using a switch made out of a thin tree branch was censored from the American English dub of the series)
31. Watashiwano kemono?-Am I Taking Off? (AKA The Birthday Surprise)
32. Funega dekita!-We Made a Boat(AKA Strong Together)
33. Ame, Ame, Fure Fure-Rain, Rain, Come Again (AKA A Fruitful Day)
34. Dokutsu-wo sagase!-Cave Search! (AKA Becca The Realtor)
35. Dokutsu No Himitsu-Cave Secret (AKA Secret Of The Cave/The Cave's Dark Secrets)
36. Yuurei Ga Deru!-Spirits Appear! (AKA Bats!)
37. Aratana Hyouyuriyuusha-Castaway (AKA A Friend In Need)
38. Otokonoko to Onnanoko/Otoko no Ko to Onna no Ko-A Man and A Woman/A Young Man and a Young Woman (AKA Becca Does Her Best)(*a Clip Episode Where Flone/Becca recounts to Tam Tam about their adventures on the Island and how they got to the island via Flashbacks (Clips from past episodes from the series).
39. Hinekure Mono Mōton-Sourpuss Morton (AKA Morton the Grump)
40. Shounen Tamutamu-Tam Tam the Boy (AKA Riding the Big Bird) *The Big Bird is reference to the Ostrich.
41. Itte Shimatta Mōton San-Morton Has Gone Far Off (AKA Volcano)
42. Osoroshii Jishin-Terrifying Earthquake (AKA Day of Terror)
43. Mototte Kita Mōton San-Morton Returns (AKA The Sea Calls)
44. Mou Ichido Fune Wo!-One More Time on a Ship (AKA Shipbuilding Again)
45. Shinanaide Roba San-Don't Die, Robert (AKA Donkey, Don't Die)
46. Yagi-Wo sutenaide-Don't Throw Away the Hircine/Don't Abandon the Goats (AKA The Boat Awaits){Hircune is based on the Middle English word Hircyne From Latin Hircinus of a goat or Goat scented.
47. Zoku Yagi-wo sutenaide-Don't Throw Away the 2nd Hircine/Don't Abandon the Goats Pt. 2 (AKA Don't Abandon the Goats!)
48. Sayounara Mujintou-Good Bye Island (AKA Goodbye, Island Home)
49. Riku Ga Mieru!-I Can See Land! (AKA Together on the High Seas) (*features an additional song in the episode)
50. Mata Au Nichi Made-Till Next Time (AKA Australia)

Characters

• Flone Robinson (Becca in the American English dub) : The main protagonist and middle daughter of the Robinson family. Flone is free-spirited and willing to do almost anything. She always speaks her mind, and enjoys doing new things. The story is usually told from her point of view. She is voiced by Reba West in the English Dub, and by Yoshiko Matsuo in Japanese.
• Franz Robinson (Fritz in the American English dub): The oldest of Flone and her brothers, being fifteen and in high school. In sharp contrast to his out going sister, He's extremely introverted and shy. He longs to be a music composer, and sets out to accomplish that dream. Because of these facts, Fritz is anything but athletic, spending all of his time after school, in his room, playing his flute and guitar or writing music. Fritz appears to have few, if any frends, at the start of the series. He becomes a more outgoing person, after he meets Emily on the ship and falls in love with her. He also becomes stronger, once the Robinson's become stranded on the island, helping his father with various building projects. He is voiced by R. Dwight in the English dub and by Tōru Furuya in Japanese.
• Dr. Ernst Robinson: Dr. Ernst Robinson is the 46-year-old father of Flone and head of the Robinson family. He is a wealthy medical doctor who helps poor people who can't afford medical assistance. He decides to take his family to Australia after receiving a letter, leaving behind the home of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is voiced by Jeremy Platt in the English dub and by Katsuhiko Kobayashi in the first part of the series and later by Osamu Kobayashi in Japanese in the second part of the series.
• Anna Robinson: Anna is Flone's mother, and easily frightened by small rodents, reptiles, as well as other things. She is the typical housewife, tending to the home and children, as well as frowning upon the carefree ways of her free-spirited daughter, Flone, as well as the smoking habit of Captain Morton. She accompanies her husband on the trip to Australia saying she'll always stand by his decision. She is voiced by Wendee Swann in the English dub, and by Michiko Hirai in Japanese.
• Jack Robinson: The youngest son. Unlike his mother, he seems to take after Flone and not be afraid of anything. He always gets into trouble some way and loves to collect things from seashells to small animals and reptiles. He is 3 years old and has a feminine voice. He is voiced by Grace Michaels in the English dub and by Makoto Kousaka in Japanese.
• John/Brewster: A Saint Bernard who once belong to a Captain of the Ship which drowned in the Typhoon which shipwrecked the Robinsons that becomes the family pet and Guard Dog.
• Mercedes/Meri Chri: A bear cuscus or phalanger (a type of marsupial native to the Australasian ecozone) that becomes a family pet. Becca (Flone) and Jack spend lots of time playing with him. He is also friends with Brewster.
• Donkey/Robert: A donkey who survived the shipwreck and became a useful member of the Robinsons and a PackAnimal for carrying wood and sugar cane to the Robinsons compound. Donkey later died of stress related issues and possible old age after helping the Robinsons,Captain Morton and Tam Tam hauling the Catamaran into the ocean.
• Captain Morton: A grumpy, hard-drinking, cigar-smoking Sea Captain who the Robinsons discover living in a cave. Anna disapproves of his smoking habit and dislikes him strongly at first, especially after he tries to get Jack to smoke a cigar, but gradually warms to him. He is voiced by Michael Sorich in the English dub and by Ichirō Nagai in Japanese.
• Tam Tam: A young Australian Aborigine boy about age 9 to 10 years old who is the companion of Morton and becomes good friends with Flone/Becca, Franz/Fritz and Jack. He is voiced by Tom Wyner in the English dub and by Yoku Shioya in Japanese.
• Emily: A young woman who becomes friends with the Robinsons before being separated during the Typhoon. She is voiced by Kaoru Kurosu in Japanese.
• Marie: The Robinson family's live-in servant, who decides not to accompany the family from Switzerland to Australia. She is voiced by Ellyn Stern Epcar in the English dub and by Satomi Majima in Japanese.
• Elliott : voiced in Japanese by Tamio Oki
• Emily's Father : voiced in Japanese by Kan Tokumaru
• Emily's Mother voiced in Japanese by Yoshiko Asai
• Emily's Grandmother:voiced in Japanese by Atsuko Mine
• Gerhardt : voiced in Japanese by Kõichi Kitamura
• Haizecupp:voiced in Japanese by Keiko Hanagata

Music

• Opening theme: "Hadashi no Flone" (裸足のフローネ, "Barefoot Flone") by Keiko Han
• Ending theme: "Flone no Yume" (フローネの夢, "Flone's Dream") by Keiko Han
• English opening theme song by Ron Krueger.

References

External links

• The Swiss Family Robinson: Flone of the Mysterious Island at the Internet Movie Database
• The Swiss Family Robinson: Flone of the Mysterious Island (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia