The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (TV series) facts for kids

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Title card from the English-language version
Quick facts for kids オズの魔法使い (Oz no Mahōtsukai)
Genre	Fantasy
Anime television series
Directed by	Masaru Tonogawachi (1-41) Hiroshi Saitō (42-52)
Produced by	Tetsurō Kumase
Written by	Akira Miyazaki Takafumi Nagamine Hiroshi Saitō
Music by	K.S Yoshimura Takao Naoi
Studio	Panmedia Cinar (English dub)
Licensed by	NA Discotek Media
Network	TV Tokyo
English network	CA ASN US HBO
Original run	October 6, 1986 – September 28, 1987
Episodes	52 (List of episodes)

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a Japanese anime TV show. In Japan, it is known as Oz no Mahōtsukai. This series is based on four of the original Oz books by L. Frank Baum. It aired in Japan from 1986 to 1987. The show has 52 episodes. It tells more Oz stories, including what happened after Dorothy went back home.

One of the writers for this TV series, Akira Miyazaki, also wrote for the 1982 anime movie with the same Japanese name.

International Release of the Show

In 1987, HBO bought the rights to the series. They had it dubbed into English. A studio in Montreal called Cookie Jar Group (then Cinar) made the English version. Actress Margot Kidder was the narrator. The band The Parachute Club made songs for the series.

The English version aired in the U.S. as weekly episodes. It was also shown as a four-part mini-series. This English version tried to hide that the show was from Japan. They removed Japanese names from the credits.

The series has been shown in many countries outside Japan. It has been dubbed into English, Spanish, Italian, and other languages.

The Story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz TV series is split into four main parts. Each part is based on a different Oz book by L. Frank Baum.

Part 1: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Episodes 1-17)

This first part is based on the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It follows Dorothy, an orphan girl from Kansas. She lives with her Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, and her dog Toto. One day, a tornado picks up their farmhouse with Dorothy and Toto inside. It carries them to the magical Land of Oz.

In Oz, Dorothy meets the Good Witch of the North. The Witch tells her that her house landed on the Wicked Witch of the East. This freed the Munchkins from slavery. The Good Witch says only the Wizard of Oz can send Dorothy home. Dorothy gets the Silver Shoes of the Wicked Witch of the East. She is sent along the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City.

On her way, Dorothy meets the Scarecrow. He is made of straw and wants a brain. She also meets the Tin Woodman. He is made of metal and wants a heart. Then, she meets the Cowardly Lion. He wants to be brave. They all join Dorothy on her journey.

They face many challenges. The Lion helps them jump over a big ditch. They escape scary Kalidahs (bear-tiger creatures). A kind crane saves the Scarecrow from a river. A field of poppies makes Dorothy, Toto, and the Lion fall asleep. But the Mouse Queen, whom the Tin Man saved, helps them escape.

They finally reach the Emerald City. The Good Witch of the North's kiss on Dorothy's forehead helps them get inside. The Wizard of Oz agrees to see each of them. He changes his appearance for each friend. He tells them he will help only if they defeat the Wicked Witch of the West.

The friends set off to the Witch's castle. The Wicked Witch of the West uses her magic to stop them. She sends wolves, crows, and her Winkie soldiers. But Dorothy and her friends easily defeat them. The Witch then uses her Golden Cap to call the Winged Monkeys. They destroy the Scarecrow and Tin Man. They capture the Lion and Dorothy.

The Witch keeps the Lion to pull her carriage. She wants Dorothy's magic shoes. Dorothy accidentally throws water on the Witch, and she melts away. The grateful Winkies help Dorothy find and fix her friends. Dorothy finds the Witch's Golden Cap. Her friends make her promise not to use it.

After resting, the Tin Man becomes king of the Winkies. On their way back, they get lost and fight a giant spider. The forest animals make the Lion their king. Dorothy uses the Golden Cap to call the Winged Monkeys. They take her and her friends back to the Emerald City.

They find the Wizard hiding. Toto reveals he is just a normal man. The Wizard admits he is a magician from Nebraska. He came to Oz by accident in his hot air balloon. He pretended to be a wizard to keep the wicked witches away. He gives the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion things they believe grant their wishes. He agrees to take Dorothy home in his balloon.

Before leaving, the Wizard makes Scarecrow the King of Oz. But Toto chases a mouse, and Dorothy misses the balloon. Dorothy is sad, but remembers the Golden Cap. The Winged Monkeys tell her they cannot leave Oz. They suggest she visit Glinda, the Good Witch of the South.

Dorothy's friends decide to go with her to Glinda. They face more dangers, like fighting trees and Hammer-Heads. Finally, they reach Glinda's palace. Glinda is kind and agrees to help. She asks for the Golden Cap. Dorothy gives it to her. Glinda uses it to send Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion to their new kingdoms.

Glinda tells Dorothy that her magic shoes can take her home. She just needs to click her heels three times. Dorothy says goodbye to her friends. She clicks her heels and is lifted into the sky. She lands in Kansas and is reunited with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry.

Part 2: The Marvelous Land of Oz (Episodes 18-30)

This part is based on The Marvelous Land of Oz. Aunt Em and Uncle Henry are building a new farmhouse. Dorothy and Toto suddenly appear. Dorothy tells them about Oz. They are happy she is home, but find her stories hard to believe.

Dorothy looks for one of her magic shoes, which fell off. She cannot find it. Later, in town, Dorothy meets the Wizard of Oz at a circus. Aunt Em finds the other shoe. Dorothy carelessly uses both shoes to return to Oz. She leaves Toto and the shoes behind.

Dorothy arrives back in Oz. She meets Tip, who is making a pumpkin-man to scare Mombi. It works, and Mombi uses "Come-Alive Powder" to bring Jack Pumpkinhead to life. Mombi tries to turn Dorothy into stone. But Dorothy, Tip, and Jack escape. They also steal some Come-Alive Powder.

They bring a wooden sawhorse to life. They run to Emerald City and meet King Scarecrow. Dorothy and Tip learn that General Jinjur and her All-Girl Army plan to take over. They warn Scarecrow, and the friends escape. Mombi joins Jinjur.

The friends go to the Tin Man for help. Mombi uses magic to stop them. The Mouse Queen helps them with a "Secret Weapon." After more magic tricks, the friends return to Emerald City. They find it changed, with women in charge and men doing all the hard work.

Jinjur, Mombi, and the army surround Dorothy and her friends. But the Mouse Queen's Secret Weapon helps. Jack uses the Wizard's old tricks to scare the girls. The friends build a flying Moose-Bed and escape to Glinda.

Mombi causes the Moose-Bed to drift into a valley. They meet and escape giant dragons. They reach Glinda's castle. Glinda knows about their problem. She agrees to help free Emerald City. But she says Scarecrow cannot be king.

Glinda reveals that the true ruler of Oz is Princess Ozma. The Wizard had hidden her with Mombi. Scarecrow is fine with not being king. The group, with Glinda, returns to Emerald City. They want to remove Jinjur and find Ozma.

Glinda scares Jinjur and her army into giving up. She orders Mombi to cooperate. Scarecrow announces that Princess Ozma is alive. Mombi tries to trick them, but Glinda makes her reveal the truth. Mombi had turned Ozma into a boy named Tip.

Tip is scared, but everyone assures him he is Ozma. Glinda offers Tip a choice. Tip bravely agrees to break the spell. He transforms into Princess Ozma. Glinda removes Mombi's powers. She tells Mombi and Jinjur to live quiet lives.

Glinda offers rewards. Tin Man and Scarecrow return to their kingdoms. Jack stays with Ozma. Dorothy asks to go home. Glinda sends Dorothy, Scarecrow, and Tin Man to their homes. Dorothy says goodbye, promising to return.

Part 3: Ozma of Oz (Episodes 31-41)

This part is based on Ozma of Oz. Dorothy's magic shoes glow and take her back to Oz. She arrives in the Land of Ev, leaving Toto and her shoes in Kansas. She meets rude Wheelers who think she is a witch. Dorothy escapes them.

She finds a small robot named Tik-Tok. He was on a secret mission for Princess Langwidere to free the Prince of Ev. Dorothy defends Tik-Tok from the Wheelers. They go to meet Princess Langwidere.

Langwidere locks Dorothy and Tik-Tok in a dungeon. Dorothy asks Mr. Mouse to get help from Oz. Princess Langwidere greets Ozma, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Jack Pumpkinhead. Mr. Mouse brings the Lion to Ev.

The group decides to go to Nomeland to rescue the Prince of Ev from the Nome King. They cross a dangerous desert. They find giant bones and a ship. They meet Billina, a talking hen. She tells them how to get to Nomeland.

They travel through rocky caves and a ruined city. They escape Rock Giants. They reach the Nome King's underground kingdom. They walk past a river of lava and meet the Nome King.

The Nome King tells them they must play his Guessing Ornament Game to free the Prince. Tik-Tok accidentally turns into an ornament. Kaliko tricks the Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow, turning them into ornaments too. Dorothy tricks the Nomes and frees her friends and the Prince.

When they try to leave, the Nome King tries to stop them with lava and boulders. They follow an underground river to escape. The Nome King attacks again, but this creates an opening for them. They thank Billina. The Nome King tries to sink them in sand, but they escape. The friends decide it is time to go home.

Part 4: The Emerald City of Oz (Episodes 42-52)

This final part is based on The Emerald City of Oz. The Nome King plans his revenge. Dorothy is still in Oz. She and Scarecrow chase Ozma into a Secret Chamber. Ozma finds the Heart of the Emerald City. This shows her she must become Queen of Oz.

Underground, the Nomes plan to conquer Emerald City. General Guph suggests digging a tunnel with a Giant Dirt-Devouring Worm. They dig under the Deadly Desert.

Dorothy and Ozma are transported to a world where they meet the Paper Queen and Puzzle Man. They return to Oz. Ozma practices her magic. She brings a Giant Paper Bird to life for them to ride. Guph also gets the monstrous Growleywog to help the Nomes.

The Growleywog appears in the West and starts destroying things. The Winkies tell the Tin Man. Dorothy learns the news. The Tin Man battles Growleywog. Dorothy uses the Magic Bird to help. The Worm's tunnel fails, causing an argument between Guph and the Nome King.

The Nome King and his army try to attack Emerald City. Scarecrow's search for Dorothy makes them go back into the tunnel. Dorothy finds a Winkie named Timsmith to help the Tin Man. Guph sneaks into Emerald City but loses his memory. Dorothy meets a pleasant Guph the next morning.

Ozma's Coronation is a success. That night, Growleywog leads the Nomes in an invasion. The Tin Man fights some Nomes. Scarecrow tells Dorothy his plan. The friends try to scare the Nomes with eggs. The Lion watches Ozma. All seems lost, but a voice comforts Dorothy.

The next morning, everyone is imprisoned by the Nome King. Dorothy wakes up alone with Growleywog and Guph. Guph has his memory back but protects her. Ozma uses her magic to save her people. She tricks the Nome King and his followers.

Glinda appears and congratulates Ozma. The Nomes, Growleywog, and Worm return home. Dorothy realizes it was Glinda's voice she heard. She knows it is time to go home. Dorothy is not sad because Ozma's magic means she can return anytime. Dorothy says goodbye and is sent back to Kansas. She reunites with Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, and Toto.

Differences from the Books

The TV series changed some things from the original books:

• In the second part, Dorothy is in the story, but she was not in the original book The Marvelous Land of Oz. Also, Glinda fights Mombi as an eagle, not a gryphon.
• In the third part, the Nome King looks different. The Wheelers are also changed from well-dressed people with wheels to hairy cave-like men. Princess Langwidere changes hats instead of heads.
• The third and fourth parts changed a lot from the books. Characters like the Prince of Ev and Growleywog look different or are renamed. The characters can cross the Deadly Desert easily. Billina is not from Kansas. Also, Aunt Em and Uncle Henry do not come to Oz in the TV series. Dorothy also goes back to Kansas at the end.

Characters You'll Meet

• Dorothy Gale: The main hero of the show. She lives in Kansas with her Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, and dog Toto. She travels to Oz in a cyclone. Dorothy is brave and makes many friends. She wants to go home to Kansas so her aunt and uncle do not worry.
• Toto: Dorothy's small dog. He is a Cairn Terrier. Uncle Henry gave him to Dorothy.
• Scarecrow: He used to stand in a cornfield. He joins Dorothy hoping the Wizard will give him a brain. He is already smart and has great ideas.
• Tin Man: He was once human. The Wicked Witch of the East turned him into a tin man and took his heart. He rusts easily. He joins Dorothy hoping the Wizard will give him a heart. He later becomes King of the Winkies.
• Cowardly Lion: He lived in a forest and was afraid of everything. He joins Dorothy hoping the Wizard will give him courage. He proves to be very brave during their journey.
• Tip / Princess Ozma: First seen as a mischievous boy named Tip. He plays a big part in the second adventure. At the end of The Marvelous Land of Oz, he is revealed to be Princess Ozma. She is the true ruler of Oz. Glinda breaks the spell, and Ozma becomes the new ruler.
• Jack Pumpkinhead: Tip created Jack to scare Mombi. He was brought to life with the Powder of Life.
• The Sawhorse: Also brought to life with the Powder of Life. He travels with Dorothy, Tip, and Jack.
• The Gump: Brought to life with the Powder of Life. He cannot talk but can fly.
• Billina: A talking hen. She helps Dorothy and her friends escape the Nome King by giving them an egg. Eggs are poisonous to Nomes.
• Tik-Tok: A mechanical robot. He is the Prince of Ev's best friend. He joins Dorothy on her journey to the Nome King's kingdom.
• Paper Bird: A large origami bird that Ozma brings to life with her magic.

Friends and Helpers

• Uncle Henry and Aunt Em: Dorothy's aunt and uncle who live in Kansas. They adopt Dorothy after her mother's death. They do not believe Dorothy's stories about Oz at first.
• Good Witch of the North: She appears when Dorothy first arrives in Oz. She is clumsy but kind. She gives Dorothy the magic shoes and a protective kiss. This kiss keeps Dorothy safe from harm.
• Munchkins: The people of the eastern part of Oz.
• Guardian of the Gates: The person who guards the entrance to the Emerald City.
• The Wizard of Oz: He lives in the Emerald City. People think he has great magic. He is actually a traveling magician from Nebraska. He came to Oz by accident in a hot air balloon. He pretended to be a wizard to keep the peace.
• Glinda the Good Witch of the South: A powerful and kind witch. She helps Dorothy return to Kansas. She also helps transform Tip into Princess Ozma.
• Queen of the Field Mice: She and her mice help Dorothy and her friends escape the deadly poppy field. They become good friends and help the group many times.
• The Prince of Ev: The true ruler of Ev. He was kidnapped by the Nome King and turned into an iron sculpture. Dorothy and her friends rescue him.

Villains and Challengers

• Wicked Witch of the East: The sister of the Wicked Witch of the West. Dorothy's house lands on her, accidentally killing her. Dorothy gets her magic shoes.
• Wicked Witch of the West: She rules the western part of Oz and has powerful magic. She enslaves the Winkies. She tries to get Dorothy's magic shoes. She melts away when Dorothy splashes water on her.
• Winged Monkeys: Magical monkeys who obey the owner of the Golden Cap. The Wicked Witch of the West uses them. Dorothy later uses them three times.
• Hammerheads: Mean, armless creatures with hard heads. They pop out of the ground and do not let anyone pass through their land.
• Mombi: A witch who took care of Princess Ozma after changing her into a boy named Tip.
• General Jinjur: She leads an All-Girl Army and temporarily takes control of the Emerald City.
• Princess Lulu: The Prince of Ev's sister and the current ruler of Ev. She has many different hats that change her mood. She asks Ozma for help to find her brother. (Known as Langwidere in the book).
• Wheelers: Small, hairy people who move on wheels. They are mean to Dorothy when they first meet.
• Nomes: Immortal rock fairies who live underground. They hide jewels and metals.
  • The Nome King: The ruler of the Nome kingdom. He is short but tries to prove his power. He kidnapped the Prince of Ev. He later plans to conquer Oz.
  • Lord Kaliko: The Nome King's helper. He often gives advice to the King.
  • General Guph: The General of the Nome Army. He has a giant worm that can eat rock. He secretly plans to take over from the Nome King.
• The Growleywog: A monstrous creature that joins the Nomes. He fights the Tin Man and makes him rust.

Voice Actors

Music in the Show

Japanese Music

The music was created by K.S. Yoshimura and Takao Naoi. The Japanese version used three main songs. The first opening song is "Fanshii Gaaru" (Fancy Girl). It is sung by Satoko Yamano. The ending song is "Mahō no Kureyon" (Magical Crayon). It is sung by Kumiko Ōsugi and Ema Ōsugi. Later, the opening song changed to an instrumental version of "Fanshii Gaaru".

North American English Music

The North American version used different music. For the 52-episode TV show, the theme song was "Searching for a Dream". This song was also used for the first movie version. Other songs were used for the later movie releases. These included "Listen to You Heart," "Taste the Rain," and "Close Your Eyes." All these songs were made and performed by The Parachute Club. The ending song was a shorter version of "Searching For a Dream."

Episodes List

Where the Show Was Released

To reach more people, episodes of the show were later re-edited into four movies. These movies were released in the United States on VHS and Laserdisc, and later on DVD. These movie versions often cut out parts of the story to fit the book's plot more closely. HBO sometimes showed the first two movies in the U.S.

Discotek Media released the English version of the series on SD Blu-ray and DVD in North America in 2017. They also released the original Japanese version on SD Blu-ray in 2019. The English dub used to be available for streaming on Netflix.ca.

The show aired in Australia and the UK in the early 1990s. It was shown on the ABC, Channel 4, and ITV. It also aired in India on the Doordarshan channel. You can buy the full original Japanese version from YesAsia. In Mexico, some episodes were released on DVD. French-dubbed DVD sets of the whole series are available in France.

Images for kids

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