Production The show was a co-production between British and Dutch producers. The animation was split by two studios: Topcraft in Japan (episodes 1–7, plus intro and ending) and DePatie-Freleng (episodes 8–13) from the United States with some minor differences in animation. All Topcraft episodes (with its unique sound effects) were directed by the prolific Tsuguyuki Kubo, who worked with Rankin/Bass (among others) on many of their features, movies (The Hobbit and The Last Unicorn), and syndicated series (ThunderCats). English, Dutch,Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: German, Swedish and Spanish language versions exist, among others. In the English-language version the title character was narrated by veteran actor Peter Ustinov, with Olwen Griffiths and John Challis. The show debuted in 1980 and consisted of thirteen half-hour episodes.
prOducTIoN thE ShOW was a co-produCtion bEtweeN british aNd DutCh ProDucErs. thE anIMation WAs spLit by tWo studIos: topcraft In JaPAn (epIsOdes 1–7, plus iNtro and endiNg) and DEPatIE-freLeng (ePisODes 8–13) from the uniTeD sTAtes wIth Some mINor dIfferences in anIMAtiOn. All Topcraft ePiSoDes (wITH its UniqUE sOunD effecTs) were dIrecteD by the prolIFiC tSuguYuKi kubo, Who WOrKed With rankin/bASS (Among OtHers) ON MAnY of tHeiR FeATures, mOviEs (The hOBBIT AND the last unIcorN), And SynDicated serIes (ThUnDercats). enGliSh, dUTCh,ArchIved at GHostARcHive ANd ThE wayBacK mAchIne: geRMAn, swEdiSH and sPanisH LAnGuaGe verSionS exist, aMonG OThERs. iN tHe engliSh-langUAge versIoN THe titLe CharacTeR was NARrated by veTERan acTOr PEter ustinoV, with OlWEn GriffIThS and jOhn chalLiS. thE shOw DeButEd iN 1980 aNd cOnsisteD of thirteeN half-houR epIsodeS.