3000 Leagues in Search of Mother

母をたずねて三千里

1976 · Ended · 1 season · 52 episodes · Animation, Action & Adventure · Japan

Channel Tokyo Channel 12 · Starring Yoshiko Matsuo, Kazuyuki Sogabe, Yukiko Nikaido

Italy is in a deep depression, so to support her family, Marco's mother goes to Argentina to work as a domestic. But after she writes to her family that she is sick, her letters stop coming. So Marco decides to go to Argentina to look for her. He travels across Argentina to find her, meeting many wonderful people, and having many adventures during his journey.
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Episodes

52 episodes · January 1976 – December 1976
  1. Episode 1: 1. Mama, Don't GoJanuary 4, 1976 · 25 min
    Nine-year-old Marco is thrilled to go on a family picnic, not knowing that it will be the last one before his mother Anna leaves Italy to work abroad.
  2. Episode 2: 2. Marco, a Boy from GenoaJanuary 11, 1976 · 25 min
    A year has passed since Anna left. Marco thinks about becoming a postman after receiving a letter from her on the day his older brother visits home.
  3. Episode 3: 3. Sunday at the HarborJanuary 18, 1976 · 25 min
    Marco sets out on his first job to deliver an urgent letter for Gina. A fun day at the beach begins when he finally returns in the afternoon.
  4. Episode 4: 4. I Hate You, PapaJanuary 25, 1976 · 25 min
    Marco wants to work to help his mother come home sooner, but his father won't listen.
  5. Episode 5: 5. My Good Friend, EmilioFebruary 1, 1976 · 25 min
    Emilio helps Marco get a job washing bottles after school. Marco's father Pietro buys him a world map and the two bond for the first time in a while.
  6. Episode 6: 6. Marco's PaydayFebruary 8, 1976 · 25 min
    Marco has an ominous dream about his mother, and he worries when there is no new letter from her.
Show 46 more episodes
  1. Episode 7: 7. Watching the Ocean from the RoofFebruary 15, 1976 · 25 min
    Poor Marco can barely see the ocean from his new place. He goes from roof to roof to find a better view and meets Fiorina the puppeteer along the way.
  2. Episode 8: 8. The Peppino Puppet TroupeFebruary 22, 1976 · 25 min
    Marco's monkey delights onlookers by dancing in the puppet show. Peppino the puppet master invites Marco to dinner to show his gratitude.
  3. Episode 9: 9. I'm Sorry, PapaFebruary 29, 1976 · 25 min
    When Marco shows Pietro's friend the way to the hospital, he is touched to discover his father testing a new treatment on himself to save a patient.
  4. Episode 10: 10. Mama Is in Buenos AiresMarch 7, 1976 · 25 min
    Concetta goes out on the streets despite having a cold. Her symptoms worsen, but the family can't afford a doctor. Marco goes to the clinic for help.
  5. Episode 11: 11. A Letter from MamaMarch 14, 1976 · 25 min
    Fiorina must put on a show alone because everyone else is ill. Just as she gets safely through it with Marco's help, bad news arrives about Anna.
  6. Episode 12: 12. The AirshipMarch 21, 1976 · 25 min
    Marco once again considers going to Argentina. Emilio asks Renato to help Marco get to Argentina after having huge success with his ice cream sales.
  7. Episode 13: 13. Goodbye, FiorinaMarch 28, 1976 · 25 min
    Joy over the group trip to Argentina is cut short when Renato goes back on his word. Marco gives Amedeo a letter for Anna and entrusts him to Peppino.
  8. Episode 14: 14. Marco's DecisionApril 4, 1976 · 25 min
    When Marco reveals that he'd meant to be on the ship to Argentina, Pietro begins laying the groundwork to go himself.
  9. Episode 15: 15. The ForgoleApril 11, 1976 · 25 min
    Marco is discovered by Leonardo, but the ship's head cook is impressed by his persistence. Pietro learns the extent of his son's determination.
  10. Episode 16: 16. The Young CookApril 18, 1976 · 25 min
    The head cook is touched by Marco's love for his mother and takes him under his wing.
  11. Episode 17: 17. Neptune's RevelApril 25, 1976 · 25 min
    Marco grows fond of his new life aboard the ship.
  12. Episode 18: 18. The Immigrant Ship to RioMay 2, 1976 · 25 min
    The ship arrives in Rio de Janeiro. Marco's friends help him look for another ship headed to Buenos Aires.
  13. Episode 19: 19. The Shining Stars of the Southern CrossMay 9, 1976 · 25 min
    The ship Marco boards in Rio is full of sick people and the meals are dismal. Marco meets a lost little boy named Nino aboard the crowded ship.
  14. Episode 20: 20. The Stormy NightMay 16, 1976 · 25 min
    Six days after leaving Rio, the ship sustains heavy damage due to violent weather.
  15. Episode 21: 21. Rio de La PlataMay 23, 1976 · 25 min
    Marco begs for the ship to go faster after waking from a terrifying nightmare.
  16. Episode 22: 22. The Town Where Mother IsMay 30, 1976 · 25 min
    The ship finally arrives in Buenos Aires. The person who knows Anna's whereabouts has run away, and Marco loses all his money to a pickpocket.
  17. Episode 23: 23. Another MotherJune 6, 1976 · 25 min
    Marco is at his wit's after losing all his money. Then he hears about a woman named Anna who has been taken to the hospital, and rushes to see her.
  18. Episode 24: 24. Fiorina Is WaitingJune 13, 1976 · 25 min
    After being left with absolutely no information on his mother's whereabouts, Marco hears a rumor about a familiar puppet show in the area.
  19. Episode 25: 25. The Peppino Troupe Makes a Big HitJune 20, 1976 · 25 min
    Peppino and his family decide to accompany Marco to Bahía Blanca.
  20. Episode 26: 26. To the PampasJune 27, 1976 · 25 min
    The day has come to leave for Bahía Blanca.
  21. Episode 27: 27. Fiorina's TearsJuly 4, 1976 · 25 min
    Peppino has an idea to start a show based on Marco's life. Fiorina breaks down and cries for the real Marco during practice for her role as Marco.
  22. Episode 28: 28. The Barbossa RanchJuly 11, 1976 · 25 min
    Fiorina's heart breaks further as Peppino decides to write the death of Marco's mother into the puppet play to elicit more emotion.
  23. Episode 29: 29. Snow FallsJuly 18, 1976 · 25 min
    Marco and his friends finally find shelter after running out of water. Gaucho Carlos revitalizes the group with hot food and wonderful music.
  24. Episode 30: 30. Old Gaucho CarlosJuly 25, 1976 · 25 min
    Marco and his friends are able to make their way to an inn after Carlos repairs their carriage.
  25. Episode 31: 31. A Long NightAugust 1, 1976 · 25 min
    Peppino and his troop stay the night in an abandoned place with a caved-in roof. Marco and Peppino decide to keep quiet about a harrowing encounter.
  26. Episode 32: 32. Saying GoodbyeAugust 8, 1976 · 25 min
    An Italian immigrant family suggests paying Mr. Moretti a visit for possible information on Marco's mother.
  27. Episode 33: 33. Mama Is Not HereAugust 15, 1976 · 25 min
    Marco visits Mr. Moretti soon after arriving in Bahía Blanca, but he provides no information on his mother or uncle's whereabouts.
  28. Episode 34: 34. I Want to Go Back to GenoaAugust 22, 1976 · 25 min
    Peppino's words have no effect on Marco. When Fiorina expresses her concern, Marco breaks down crying that his mother is probably already dead.
  29. Episode 35: 35. Mama's HandwritingAugust 29, 1976 · 25 min
    Marco meets a vagrant in town. After hearing his story, the man gives Marco a letter from his mother as well as new information on her whereabouts.
  30. Episode 36: 36. Farewell, Bahia BlancaSeptember 5, 1976 · 25 min
    The news of his mother brings Marco's time with Fiorina closer toward its end. Marco starts working at a coal mine to cover his travel expenses.
  31. Episode 37: 37. Endless JourneySeptember 12, 1976 · 25 min
    Marco arrives in Buenos Aires, only to discover that his mother had already moved on to Córdoba.
  32. Episode 38: 38. Mama's HardshipSeptember 19, 1976 · 25 min
    Marco learns the deep extent of his mother's patience when he meets her cruel former employer before setting out to sail once again.
  33. Episode 39: 39. Rosy Dawn in RosarioSeptember 26, 1976 · 25 min
    The captain becomes angry about Marco getting a free ride to Rosario, but changes his attitude upon discovering that Marco is a fellow Genoese.
  34. Episode 40: 40. The Star of ItalyOctober 3, 1976 · 25 min
    Marco gets turned away at the door at the mansion in Rosario. Federico scrounges up enough money to cover Marco's train fare to Córdoba.
  35. Episode 41: 41. If I Could Go Home with Mother...October 10, 1976 · 25 min
    Marco strengthens his resolve to find his mother after his chance meeting with a woman and her children during the train ride to Córdoba.
  36. Episode 42: 42. A New Friend, PabloOctober 17, 1976 · 25 min
    Mequinez had moved long before Marco's arrival in Córdoba. In the town, Marco meets a boy named Pablo and develops a strange relationship with him.
  37. Episode 43: 43. Somewhere in This TownOctober 24, 1976 · 25 min
    To raise some money, Pablo looks for work in the fields. Unfortunately, the period is the wrong one and so he tries his luck fishing.
  38. Episode 44: 44. Helping FuanaOctober 31, 1976 · 25 min
    The house is not inhabited by the person Marco is looking for, but by an architect. The man, who appreciates the efforts of the little traveler, also offers him the money to travel to Tucuman.
  39. Episode 45: 45. Going NorthNovember 7, 1976 · 25 min
    The train attendants find Marco during an inspection and the boy ends up going down thirty kilometers from the destination.
  40. Episode 46: 46. The Trip on the OxcartNovember 14, 1976 · 25 min
    During the journey, Marco falls ill for a few days and the herdsmen who take him with them must take care of his recovery.
  41. Episode 47: 47. Mama Lives at the Foot of the MountainNovember 21, 1976 · 25 min
    After traveling for days, Marco leaves the group of herdsmen to get to Tucuman.
  42. Episode 48: 48. Don't Die, My BurroNovember 28, 1976 · 25 min
    The journey to the village of Tucuman proves to be more hard than expected.
  43. Episode 49: 49. Mama Is Calling MeDecember 5, 1976 · 25 min
    Having lost his donkey, Marco has to walk on foot.
  44. Episode 50: 50. Run, Marco, Run!December 12, 1976 · 25 min
    Exhausted and under the snow, Marco is collected by a young man on horseback. On the way, a local elder has his nephew take him to Tucuman.
  45. Episode 51: 51. Mama's SmileDecember 19, 1976 · 25 min
    The long journey is over. The residence of the Mequinez is now visible and Marco reaches his mother.
  46. Episode 52: 52. Back to Genoa with MamaDecember 26, 1976 · 25 min
    After the recovery, Marco's mother can resume normal life. The Mequinez family, out of gratitude, gives the ticket to Genoa to both of them, with the promise of returning to Argentina.

Trailers and images

Credits

Film and series details

EPISODE LENGTH
25 minutes
FIRST AIRED
January 4, 1976
LAST AIRED
December 26, 1976
PRODUCTION COMPANY
Nippon Animation

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