The Littl' Bits facts for kids

The Littl' Bits
The children of The Littl' Bits, from left to right: Willibit, Lillabit, Snagglebit, Chip, Browniebit
Quick facts for kids 森の陽気な小人たち ベルフィーとリルビット (Mori no Yōki na Kobitotachi: Berufi to Rirubitto)
Anime television series
Directed by	Masayuki Hayashi
Produced by	Ippei Kuri (executive) Norio Kondo Akira Inoue
Written by	Takao Koyama, Shigeru Yanagawa, Yu Yamamoto, etc.
Music by	Takeo Watanabe
Studio	Tatsunoko Productions
Network	Tokyo Channel 12 (an independent station in 1980; the show aired on affiliates of other networks in other cities)
English network	CA YTV UK ITV/BBC US Nick Jr.
Original run	January 7 – July 7, 1980 (1980-07-07)
Episodes	26

The Littl' Bits (森の陽気な小人たち ベルフィーとリルビット, Mori no Yōki na Kobitotachi: Berufi to Rirubitto, lit. Cheerful Dwarves of the Forest: Belfy & Lillibit) is a fun Japanese anime TV show. It has 26 episodes and was made in 1980 by Tatsunoko Productions in Japan. The show was also shown on Tokyo Channel 12.

Later, Saban Entertainment made an English version of the show. It was shown on the children's TV channel Nick Jr. from 1991 to 1995. Other popular anime shows like Adventures of the Little Koala and Maya the Bee were also on Nick Jr. during this time. The Littl' Bits was also very popular in Europe, the Middle East, and Spanish-speaking countries.

Because the characters are tiny and have similar names (in the English version), some people compare The Littl' Bits to The Smurfs.

Meet The Littl' Bits

This TV show is about a group of tiny people who live in a simple village. Their home is in Foothill Forest. The story mainly follows a group of young friends. These friends are Lillabit, Willibit, Snagglebit, Chip, and Browniebit.

Snagglebit is the mayor's son and can be a bit spoiled. He really likes Lillabit. But Lillabit is best friends with Willibit, who is the main hero and a good role model. Even though they are usually friends, Willibit and Snagglebit sometimes argue, especially about Lillabit.

Snagglebit often hangs out with Browniebit, who is shorter and sometimes a bit scared. Snagglebit likes to tease Browniebit for being a coward. Chip is another friend who looks up to Lillabit's uncle, Dr. Snoozabit. Chip wants to be a doctor just like him.

Another important young character is Teenybit, who is Willibit's younger sister. She becomes friends with Scarybit, an older woman. Most villagers think Scarybit is a witch and avoid her. But Teenybit sees that Scarybit is just a lonely old lady who needs a friend.

The older Littl' Bits also watch over the children. These adults include Dr. Snoozabit, Chopabit the wood-cutter, Bakeabit the baker, and Grumpabit, who is Willibit's father. There's also Helpabit, Elderbit, and Mayor Bossabit (Snagglebit's dad).

Dr. Snoozabit raised Lillabit since she was a baby. He told her that her parents had passed away. Sometimes Lillabit felt sad about not having her parents around, especially when she saw her friends with theirs. But in one of the last episodes, it was revealed that Lillabit's parents were alive! They were "Wanderbits," a group who had been away from Foothill Forest. In the end, the villagers welcomed them back, and Lillabit was very happy to be reunited with her family. Soon after, a big earthquake hit the forest, and everyone had to work together to rebuild their village.

When they are not dealing with village matters, the children love to explore the forest. They interact with many animals, both friendly and not so friendly. These animals include raccoons, bears, bullfrogs, squirrels, fish, and horses. Lillabit has a special gift: she can talk directly to animals! They often ride their animal friends to get around, like Snuffly the flying squirrel and Blue the hedgehog.

The show teaches important lessons about living in harmony with nature and animals. Each episode has a valuable message for young viewers. Some of the important ideas in the series include responsibility, patience, overcoming prejudice, working hard, and the value of family and friends.

Characters of The Littl' Bits

The Children

• Lillabit (Japanese name: ベルフィ Berufi)

Voiced by: Yōko Asagami (Japanese); Anik Matern (English)

Lillabit is a kind and lovely girl. She lives with her uncle, Dr. Snoozabit, and often looks after him because he likes to nap a lot. Lillabit is usually calm, but sometimes she gets a bit annoyed with her uncle if he is too lazy. She can talk to animals, including her friend Snuffly.

• Willibit (Japanese name: リルビット Rirubitto)

Voiced by: Mayumi Tanaka

Willibit is Lillabit's best friend and the main hero of the show. He is very brave and believes in fairness. Sometimes he acts quickly without thinking, but he always tries to do the right thing.

• Snagglebit (Japanese name: ナポレオン Naporeon)

Voiced by: Sachiko Chijimatsu

Snagglebit is the son of Mayor Bossabit and can be a bit spoiled. He has a crush on Lillabit and sees Willibit as his rival for her attention. However, he and Willibit usually get along well.

• Chip

Chip is one of Snagglebit's friends. His father is Chopabit the woodcutter. Chip looks up to Dr. Snoozabit and even became his helper for a while. He soon learned that being a doctor involves a lot of hard work!

• Browniebit

Voiced by: Sonja Ball

Browniebit is the third member of Snagglebit's group. He is much shorter than the other children. He can be a bit of a coward, and Snagglebit and Chip often tease him for it.

• Teenybit (Japanese name: チュチュナ Chuchuna)

Teenybit is Willibit's younger sister. She is a smart and very observant girl for her age. Teenybit is also brave, just like her brother, which sometimes gets her into trouble. She is important in episodes where she becomes friends with Scarybit, who is an outcast in the village.

The Adults

• Dr. Snoozabit (Japanese name: ドックリン Dokkurin)

Voiced by: Terrence Scammell (English), Kaneta Kimotsuki (Japanese)

Dr. Snoozabit is Lillabit's uncle and the village doctor. In the English version, he is often sleepy and needs naps. Lillabit tries her best to keep him awake and focused. Even though he can be lazy, he is a very good doctor and the villagers respect him.

• Mayor Bossabit (Japanese name: メイモンド村長 Meimondo-sonchō)

Voiced by: Arthur Grosser

Mayor Bossabit is Snagglebit's father and the mayor of the village. He raises Snagglebit by himself, as Snagglebit's mother passed away when he was young. His job keeps him busy, but he loves and protects his son very much.

• Scarybit

Scarybit is an older woman who doesn't like to socialize much. People in the village think she is a witch. At first, she seems to enjoy being an outsider. But then, young Teenybit becomes her friend, and Scarybit starts to be more accepted by the village.

• Chopabit

Chopabit is the wood-cutter and Chip's father. He wants Chip to follow in his footsteps and become a woodcutter. However, Chip has different dreams, which sometimes causes disagreements between them.

• Bakeabit

Bakeabit is the village baker.

• Grumpabit

Voiced by: A.J. Henderson (English), Tetsuo Mizutori (Japanese)

Grumpabit is Willibit and Teenybit's father. Even though he seems grumpy on the outside, he is a strong, kind, and hard-working man. He cares deeply for his family. His wife is known as "Mrs. Grumpabit."

• Helpabit

Helpabit is Mayor Bossabit's gardener and handyman. He is known for his delicious honey, which has a secret ingredient from special flowers called "Blue Lovelies."

• Elderbit (Japanese name: ロンジー Ronjī)

Voiced by: Rick Jones (English), Ryuji Saikachi (Japanese)

Elderbit is the village's elder, a wise person, and a teacher to the children. There isn't a formal school, but the children love listening to his stories about the old days in Foothill Forest.

The Animals

• Snuffly (Japanese name: Monga)

Snuffly is a flying squirrel who is Lillabit's friend. He is always with her and often joins the children's games. He also helps Willibit and Lillabit travel on their adventures by letting them ride on his back.

• Blue (Japanese name: Pion)

Blue is a hedgehog who is also a friend and companion to the children.

Episodes of The Littl' Bits

Here are some of the exciting adventures the Littl' Bits have:

• "The Children's Festival" (January 7, 1980) - Snagglebit tries to stop Willibit from becoming King of the Children's Festival. Snagglebit wants to be King so he can be with Lillabit, who would be Queen.
• "Doctor Snoozabit" (January 14, 1980) - Chip admires Lillabit's Uncle Snoozabit and wants to be his helper.
• "The Old Mill Stream" (January 21, 1980) - The water in the mill stream has stopped flowing. This means the Bakerbits can't make treats for a wedding. The children try to find out why.
• "The Rainbow Firefly" (January 28, 1980) - The adults tell the children not to go into a certain cave. But the children sneak in, hoping to see the amazing Rainbow Firefly.
• "Election Day" (February 4, 1980) - It's election day for mayor, but no one comes to vote for Snagglebit's father. Snagglebit gets very upset and runs away.
• "Scarybit the Witch" (February 11, 1980) - The children are warned to stay away from the mysterious old woman, Scarybit. But Teenybit is curious and goes to meet her.
• "Winter Strawberries" (February 18, 1980) - Lillabit, Chip, and Browniebit get very sick after drinking bad water. Willibit and Snagglebit go on a dangerous journey to find special Winter Strawberries, which are said to be the only cure.
• "The Snow Woman" (February 25, 1980) - Lillabit floats away into the mountains because of a kite accident. Willibit goes to save her. The children then meet the legendary Snow Woman, who is said to take naughty children.
• "Save the Raccoon!" (March 3, 1980) - Willibit and his friends play a hockey game to save a young raccoon's life.
• "Madame Bella the Weaver" (March 10, 1980) - Lillabit has the best chance to become the new head weaver after Madame Bella. But Bella's granddaughter, Rosiebit, is jealous and tries to stop Lillabit.
• "The Baby Bears" (March 17, 1980) - Lillabit becomes friends with a young bear cub who is separated from its mother. The other villagers are scared of the bear.
• "Looking at the Stars" (March 24, 1980) - The children want to build a telescope on a special mountain called Mount So-High. But their parents and the village elders don't think it's a good idea.
• "Poor Old Helpabit" (March 31, 1980) - Helpabit's special honey recipe is supposed to help the mayor win a village contest. When the recipe seems to fail, Helpabit feels ashamed and decides to leave the village.
• "Storm Baby" (April 7, 1980) - Lillabit feels very sad about her mother, who she thought had passed away. This feeling is stronger when she sees her friends with their mothers.
• "The Mystical Monument" (April 14, 1980) - Browniebit is tired of being called a coward. He enters the Mystical Monument to find a magical white feather that is said to bring great courage.
• "Help the Squirrel" (April 21, 1980) - Willibit and Snagglebit accidentally hurt a squirrel that was taking their picnic lunch. They find out she is a mother squirrel trying to feed her babies. When the squirrel gets a high fever, the boys feel bad and go to the mountains to find ice to save her.
• "The Legend of Red Light" (April 28, 1980) - Elderbit tells the children a story about a scary red light in the quarry that supposedly causes cave-ins. The children decide to go see it for themselves.
• "The Cowardly Colt" (May 5, 1980) - The children hear about horses from Dr. Snoozabit. They go on a journey to see them and end up helping a shy young horse find its bravery.
• "The Strange Egg" (May 12, 1980) - The children find a mysterious large egg. Willibit's parents won't let him keep it at home. While taking the egg back to the forest, the kids have to protect it from a hungry weasel.
• "Let's Go to the Sea, Part 1" (May 19, 1980) - After hearing Elderbit's stories about the sea, the boys plan a trip to see it. They don't want Lillabit to come because she's a girl, but she won't be left behind!
• "Let's Go to the Sea, Part 2" (May 26, 1980) - As the children continue their journey to the sea, their worried parents send out a search party to find them.
• "The Red Rainbow" (June 2, 1980) - After a big thunderstorm, Scarybit sees a red rainbow. She decides to take fruit to Starlight Lake as an offering to calm the forest spirits.
• "Earthquake!" (June 9, 1980) - Snuffly the flying squirrel runs away after Lillabit scolds him for interrupting their games. While Lillabit, Willibit, and Dr. Snoozabit are looking for him, an earthquake happens.
• "Forget-Me-Nots" (June 16, 1980) - Susiebit's mother is very allergic to Mayor Bossabit's forget-me-not garden. When the garden is mysteriously destroyed, Susie is the main suspect. But is she really the one?
• "The Wanderbits" (June 23, 1980) - Everyone in Foothill Forest wonders about the mysterious strangers who suddenly appeared. They also wonder why Lillabit's uncle is so interested in them. When the strangers' true identity is revealed, it surprises the whole village.
• "Awful, Awful Days" (June 30, 1980) - Lillabit is very happy to be reunited with her parents. But a huge disaster is coming. The cave that Grumpabit has been digging in the mountainside might be the only safe place.

Voice Actors

Japanese Voice Cast

• Belfy (Lillabit): Yōko Asagami
• Lillibit (Willibit): Mayumi Tanaka
• Napoleon (Snagglebit): Sachiko Chijimatsu
• Chuchuna (Teenybit): Tsuneko Shitomi
• Daggurin (Dr. Snoozabit): Kaneta Kimotsuki
• Ronji (Elderbit): Ryuji Saikachi
• Mayor Meimondo (Mayor Bossabit): Minoru Nishio
• Narrator: Toshiko Maeda

It's interesting to know that in the original Japanese version, "Belfy" is the female main character (who is called Lillabit in English). And "Lillibit" is the male main character (who is called Willibit in English). This is different from how the English names sound!

English Voice Cast

• Sonja Ball - Browniebit
• Arthur Grosser - Mayor Bossabit
• A.J. Henderson - Grumpabit
• Arthur Holden - Snagglebit
• Rick Jones - Elderbit
• Walter Massey - Narrator
• Anik Matern - Lillabit
• Terrence Scammell - Dr. Snoozabit
• Rachelle Cano - Sings the opening and closing songs

Images for kids

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  The children of The Littl' Bits, from left to right: Willibit, Lillabit, Snagglebit, Chip, Browniebit