# Maya the Bee (1975)

> A cheerful young bee leaves her hive on a pollen-gathering errand and discovers a bustling forest full of friendly creatures.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/9872

## Facts

- Seasons: 2
- Episodes: 104
- Episode runtime: 25 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: animation, family, adventure
- Network: tv asahi
- Cast: Michiko Nomura, Masako Nozawa, Ichiro Nagai, Mina Tominaga, Miyoko Asou, Terue Nunami
- TMDB rating: 6.7/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133295/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: subtle
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: none
- Tone: cheerful, gentle, whimsical, comforting, nostalgic

## What critics say

Reviews are mixed, with audiences giving it a modest rating and praising its gentle, friendly charm for young viewers.

## Synopsis

Maya the Bee (1975-1983) is a Japanese animated family adventure series created for TV Asahi, produced by Nippon Animation, and adapted from the classic Japanese anime tradition. Its bright, cheerful heroine is Maya, a young and happy bee voiced by Michiko Nomura, who is sent out by her queen to gather pollen and soon finds a whole new world beyond the hive. Her companions include the adventurous Willy, voiced by Masako Nozawa, and the thoughtful Phillip, voiced by Ichiro Nagai, whose friendships carry much of the warmth of the show. The engine of each episode is simple and gentle: Maya explores meadows, streams and woodland, meets forest creatures, and finds small challenges that she and her friends solve together. Across two seasons and 104 episodes of roughly twenty-five minutes, the stories move at an unhurried pace, favouring curiosity, kindness and the marvels of nature over danger. The tone is sunny, nostalgic and comforting, with an emphasis on wonder and gentle humour. Fans of Heidi, Girl of the Alps and Thumbelina will find the same pastoral warmth and small-creature charm, making this a durable choice for young viewers and families.

## Shows like Maya the Bee

- [The Mysterious Cities of Gold (1982)](https://ember.film/tv/10509)
- [Little Bear (1995)](https://ember.film/tv/9127)
- [Anne of Green Gables (1979)](https://ember.film/tv/14929)
- [Alfred J. Kwak (1989)](https://ember.film/tv/1780)
- [Kimba the White Lion (1965)](https://ember.film/tv/8198)
- [Lady Georgie (1983)](https://ember.film/tv/33715)
- [Flying Witch (2016)](https://ember.film/tv/58199)
- [Non Non Biyori (2013)](https://ember.film/tv/58886)
- [Heidi (2015)](https://ember.film/tv/55538)
- [The Animals of Farthing Wood (1993)](https://ember.film/tv/172)

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