is Japanese manga series by Noboru Kawasaki and serialized by Shogakukan in Shogakukan no Gakushū Zasshi. The manga series won the 14th Shogakukan Manga Award. An anime adaptation was created by Tatsunoko Productions. Daizaemon makes a cameo in episode 68 of The Song of Tentomushi, which is also by Kawasaki. Plot A lively boy named Daizaemon in traditional Japanese clothing comes with various kinds of animals to the capital of Tokyo. He has a funny habit of dancing whenever he hears music. He visits a friend of his late father's to learn judo and makes friends with the young daughter of the judo master Kikuko and the cat Nyanko-sensei. For a little girl, Kikuko has wonderful judo tricks inherited from her father while Nyanko-sensei is able to perform a difficult trick of triple turn in the air. Both of them are worthy instructors for Daizaemon. Although he shows clownish behavior once in a while, he is always popular among people around and grows stout and shrewd to be a future champion. Characters Daizaemon Kaze Voiced by: Masako Nozawa Nicknamed "Dai-chan," he comes from Aomori and is a country boy. He always wears a hakama and plays judo. He moves to Tokyo after the death of his father. He has good intentions but is often naive. Nyanko-sensei Voiced by: Kinya Aikawa A cat with a tiger-like appearance who helps Daizaemon. Kikuko Ogaki Voiced by: Mari Okamoto A beautiful girl who Daizaemon falls in love with at first sight. This is Okamoto's debut role at the age of 16. Hanako Mori Voiced by: Kazuko Sugiyama A childhood friend of Daizaemon. Yagoro Ogaki Voiced by: Tōru Ōhira Kikuko's father. Nishi Ishiboshi Voiced by: Shun Yashiro Daizaemon's mischievous friend who is from Osaka. "Tori" Maruko Tono Voiced by: Yuko Maruyama One of Daizaemon's classmates. Nana Shirayuki-sensei Voiced by:Haruko Kitahama The beautiful teacher who tends to the rose garden. Release The series was broadcast from October 4, 1970, to September 24, 1972, for 208 15 minute episodes (technically 104). It was rebroadcast in Japan in 2014 and 2015. References External links 1968 manga 1970 anime television series debuts 1972 Japanese television series endings Anime series based on manga Fictional judoka Fuji TV original programming Judo in anime and manga Shogakukan manga Shōnen manga Tatsunoko Production Winners of the Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga