The Mysterious Cities of Gold

The adventures of a young Spanish boy named Esteban who joins a voyage to the New World in search of the lost Cities of Gold and his father.

The Mysterious Cities of Gold (1982-2021) is a Japanese animated adventure series created by Soji Yoshikawa, Mitsuru Majima, Mitsuru Kaneko and Jean Chalopin, produced with Pierrot and DIC and broadcast on NHK G. Its protagonist is Esteban, a young Spanish boy who joins a voyage to the New World hoping to find his father and the legendary Cities of Gold. Along the way he forms a bond with the resourceful Zia (voiced by Rei Sakuma), a companion from the lands he reaches, while Esteban is voiced by Masako Nozawa and the expedition is led by Mendoza (Isao Sasaki). The engine of the series is a traveling quest in which each episode brings a new obstacle, encounter or hidden civilization, from jungle peril to tense negotiations between explorers and native peoples. The story unfolds across four seasons spanning four decades of broadcasts, told as one continuing journey rather than isolated cases. Set in the sixteenth century Americas, the show evokes Maya and Incan worlds with a sense of curiosity and wonder. Its tone is warm, hopeful and adventurous, with an earnest emotional core about family and belonging. Fans of Future Boy Conan, Dogtanian and the Three Musketeers and Jungle Emperor Leo will find a similar blend of animated spectacle and heartfelt quest.

Audiences broadly regard the series as a beloved, acclaimed animated adventure with strong nostalgic and emotional appeal across its seasons.

• Future Boy Conanshared family adventure tone, animated quest across exotic lands, young protagonist seeking a parent
• Dogtanian and the Three Muskehoundsshared episodic animated adventure with a child hero, historical setting, and quest for a lost treasure
• Jungle Emperor Leoshared sense of wonder, ancient civilizations and lost-world exploration in an animated kids format

Created by

Soji Yoshikawa, Mitsuru Majima, Mitsuru Kaneko, Jean Chalopin

Release Date

1982-06-29

Episode runtime

28 min

Rating

8.6 / 10 (90)

What is The Mysterious Cities of Gold about?

A young Spanish boy sails to the New World in search of the lost Cities of Gold and his father.

What is The Mysterious Cities of Gold like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Mysterious Cities of Gold as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is The Mysterious Cities of Gold violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Mysterious Cities of Gold.

What did critics think of The Mysterious Cities of Gold?

Audiences broadly regard the series as a beloved, acclaimed animated adventure with strong nostalgic and emotional appeal across its seasons.

Which shows are like The Mysterious Cities of Gold?

Shows with a similar feel include Future Boy Conan, Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds, and Jungle Emperor Leo.

How long is The Mysterious Cities of Gold?

The Mysterious Cities of Gold: 4 seasons, 117 episodes.

Is The Mysterious Cities of Gold still running?

No, The Mysterious Cities of Gold has ended.

Where can I watch The Mysterious Cities of Gold?

In United States, The Mysterious Cities of Gold is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video.