Chronology of Animation 1977
Return to 1976
United States The Americas (excluding U.S.) Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
Japan
 
Australasia (excluding Japan)



January
Araiguma Rascal [あらいぐまラスカル] ("Rascal the Raccoon") (tv), Seiji Endo, Hiroshi Saito, and Shigeo Koshi /Nippon Animation.
(drawn animation)

Time Bokan Series Yattaman [タイムボカンシリーズ ヤッターマン] ("Time Adventure Series Yattaman") (tv), Tatsunoko.
(1977-1979)


February
John Hubley (May 21, 1914–February 21, 1977) (director, animator, producer, writer) dies in New Haven, Connecticut.


February
The Flumps (tvss), David Yates Ltd. (Great Britain)
(model animation)

February
Jetter Mars [ジェッターマルス] ("Jet Mars") (tv), Rintaro /Toei.
(drawn animation)


March
It's A Brand New World (tvsp), Ronald Fritz and Dan Hunn /Elias Production.
(drawn animation)

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (f), Wolfgang Reitherman and John Lounsberry /Disney.
(drawn animation)
contains: Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (1966), Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day (1968), and Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, Too (1974), with some new animation

Wizards (f), Ralph Bakshi /Bakshi.
(drawn animation, some live action)


Wizards image
Wizards
March
SuperGulp, I fumetti in TV ("SuperGulp, the Comics on TV") (tv), Guido De Maria /RAI. (Italy)
(drawn animation)
(1977-1981)

March
Gasshin Sentai Mechander Robo [合身戦隊メカンダーロボ] ("Combination Squadron Mechander Robot") (tv), Yoshikata Nitta /Wako.
(drawn animation)

Hakucho no Oji [白鳥の王子] ("The Prince of the Swans", "The Wild Swans") (f), Yugo Serigawa /Toei.
(drawn animation)

Wakusei Robo Danguard Ace [惑星ロボ ダンガードA] ("Planetary Robot Dangard A"; "Force Five: Danguard Ace") (tv), Tomoharo Katsumata /Toei.
(drawn animation)


United States The Americas (excluding U.S.) Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
Japan
 
Australasia (excluding Japan)
April
The Easter Bunny is Comin' to Town (tvsp), Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass /Rankin-Bass.
(model animation)

King of the Beasts (tvsp), Shamus Culhane /Shamus Culhane Productions.
(drawn animation)

Raggedy Ann and Andy: A Musical Adventure (f), Richard Williams.
(drawn animation, some live action)

Tubby the Tuba (f), Alexander Schure /New York Institute of Technology.
(drawn animation)



April
Ashita e Attack [あしたへアタック!] ("Attack on Tomorrow") (tv), Fumio Kurokawa /Nippon Animation.
(drawn animation)

Chogattai Majutsu Robot Ginguiser [超合体魔術ロボギンガイザー] ("Ultra-transforming Magic Robo Ginguiser") (tv), Masami Anno /Nippon Animation.
(drawn animation)

Hyoga Senshi Gaislugger [氷河戦士ガイスラッガー] ("Glacier Warrior Gaislugger") (tv), Noboru Ishiguro /Toei.
(drawn animation)

Magic Bus founded in Tokyo by Satoshi Dezzaki as a production company to animate other companies' productions.

Sunrise changes its name to Nippon Sunrise.


May
The Return of Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2th Century (ss), Chuck Jones /Chuck Jones Enterprises.
(drawn animation)

May
Kelly Sheridan (May 19, 1977- ) (voice actress) born in Ottawa, Ontario. (Canada)



June
The Rescuers (f), Wolfgang Reitherman /Disney.
(drawn animation)

Alan Reed (Edward Bergman) (August 20, 1907-June 14, 1977) (voice actor) dies of a heart attack in Los Angeles, California.



June
Seton Dobutsuki Kuma no Ko Jackie [シートン動物記くまの子ジャッキー] ("Seton Animal Chronicle: Bearcub Jackie") (tv), Yoshio Kuroda /Nippon Animation.
(drawn animation)

Chodenji Machine Voltes 5 [超電磁マシーンボルテスV] ("Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V") (tv), Tadao Nagahama /Nippon Sunrise and Toei.
(drawn animation)


United States The Americas (excluding U.S.) Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
Japan
 
Australasia (excluding Japan)


July
Allegro non troppo (f), Bruno Bozzetto /Bozetto. (Italy)
(drawn animation, some live action)

July
Chojin Sentai Baratack [超人戦隊バラタック] ("Superhuman Combat Team Baratack") (tv), Toei.
(drawn animation)

Wakusei Robo Danguard Ace tai Konchu Robo Gundan [惑星ロボダンガードA対昆虫ロボット軍団] ("Planetary Robot Danguard Ace Against the Army of Insect Robots") (ss), Toei.
(drawn animation)


August
Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown (f), Bill Melendez and Phil Roman /Melendez.
(drawn animation)



August
Uchu Senkan Yamato [宇宙戦艦ヤマト] ("Space Cruiser Yamato") (f), Office Academy.
(drawn animation)


September
ABC Weekend Specials (tvsp), ABC.
(live action, some drawn animation)
This was a series of specials from various producers. Most of the programs were live action but some were animated. Some of the individual programs are separately listed in this Chronology.
(1977-1997)

The C.B. Bears (tv), Hanna-Barbera.
(drawn animation)
contains: The C.B. Bears (tv), Heyyy, It's the King! (tvss), Posse Impossible (tvss), Undercover Elephant (tvss), Shake, Rattle, and Roll (tvss), and Blast Off Buzzard (tvss).

Fred Flintstone and Friends (tv), Charles A. Nichols /Hanna-Barbera.
(drawn animation)
collection of older Hanna-Barbera television shows hosted by Fred Flintstone

I Am the Greatest--The Adventures of Mohammed Ali (tv), Fred Calvert /Farmhouse.
(drawn animation)

The New Adventures of Batman (tv), Don Towsley /Filmation.
(drawn animation)

Scooby's All-Star Laff-A-Lympics (tv), Hanna-Barbera.
(drawn animation)
two hours compilation show containing: the title series; new episodes of Dynomutt, Dog Wonder (tv) and Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels (tv); and old Scooby Doo episodes

The Skatebirds (tv), Hanna-Barbera.
(drawn animation, part live action)
contains: Woofer and Wimper, Dog Detectives (tvss), The Three Robonic Stooges (tvss), and Wonderwheels (tvss).

Think Pink Panther (tv)/(ss), Hawley Pratt and others /DePatie-Freleng.
(drawn animation)
(The program consisted of old theatrical cartoons.)

What's New, Mr. Magoo? (tv)/(tvss), Brad Case and Gerry Chinquy /DePatie-Freleng.
(drawn animation)

The Young Sentinels (tv), Hal Sutherland /Filmation.
(drawn animation)

Robert McKimson (Bob McKimson) (September 27, 1911-September 27, 1977) (director, animator, character designer) dies in Burbank, California.



September
Arrow Emblem: Grand Prix no Taka [アローエンブレム グランプリの鷹] ("Arrow Emblem: Hawk of the Grand Prix") (tv), Rintaro /Toei Doga.
(drawn animation)

Chiisana Janbo ("Little Jumbo") (ss), Masami Hata, Toshio Hirata, and Takashi Yanase /Sanrio.
(drawn animation)

Ippatsu Kanta-kun [一発貫太くん] ("Homerun Kanta") (tv), Hiroshi Sasagawa /Tatsunoko.
(drawn animation)

Ore wa Teppei [おれは鉄兵] ("My Name Is Teppei"; "I'm Teppei") (tv), Tadao Nagahama and Shigeno Yoshida /Nippon Animation.
(drawn animation)

Tatsuo Yoshida (Yoshida Tatsuo) March 6, 1932–September 5, 1977) (producer, character designer, director) dies in Tokyo.


United States The Americas (excluding U.S.) Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
Japan
 
Australasia (excluding Japan)
October
Dr. Seuss' Halloween Is Grinch Night (tvsp), Gerald Baldwin /DePatie-Freleng.
(drawn animation)

The Fat Albert Halloween Special (tvsp), Hal Sutherland /Filmation.
(drawn animation)

It's Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown (tvsp), Phil Roman /Mendelsohn-Melendez.
(drawn animation)



October
Cho Supercar Gattiger [超スーパーカー ガッタイガー] ("Super Supercar Gattiger") (tv), Motosuke Takahashi /Wako.
(drawn animation)

Fuusen Shoujo Temple-chan [風船少女 テンプルちゃん] ("Balloon Girl Little Temple") (tv), Tatsunoko.
(drawn animation)

Gekisou Rubenkaiser [激走! ルーベンカイザー] ("Run Fast, Rubenkaiser") (tv), Yuji Nunokawa /Toei Doga.
(drawn animation)

Kyoryu Daisenso Ai-Zenborg [恐竜大戦争アイゼンボーグ] ("Dinosaur Wars Ai-Zenborg") (tv), Oka Studio.
(drawn animation, some live action)

Manga Nihon Emaki [まんが日本絵巻] ("Animated Japanese Picture Scrolls") (tv)/(edu), Noburo Ishiguro.
(drawn animation)

Muteki Chojin Zambot 3 [無敵超人ザンボット3] ("Invincible Superman Zambot 3") (tv), Yoshiyuki Tomino /Nippon Sunrise.
(drawn animation)

Ie Naki Ko [家なき子] ("Rittai Anime Ie Naki Ko Remi", "3-D Animation Homeless Child Remi", "Nobody's Child") (tv), TMS.
(drawn animation)
(The "3-D Animation" of the title is due to exceptional care in creating the backgrounds (compared to normal television animation).)

Shin Kyojin No Hoshi [新巨人の星] ("New Star of the Giants") (tv), TMS.
(drawn animation)

Shin Lupin III [新ルパン三] ("New Lupin III") (tv), Seijun Suzuki (supervisor) /TMS.
(1977-1980)
(drawn animation)

Tobidase! Machine Hiryu [とびだせ! マシーン飛竜] ("Take Flight! Machine Hiryu"; "Flying Dragon") (tv), Tatsunoko.
(drawn animation)

Wakusa no Charlotte [若草のシャルロット] ("Charlotte of the Young Grass") (tv), Eiji Okabe /Nippon Animation (Trans Arts).
(drawn animation)


November
A Doonesbury Special (tvsp), John Hubley /Hubley Films.
(drawn animation)

The Hobbit (tvsp), Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass /Rankin-Bass.
(drawn animation)



November
Manga Ijin Monogatari [まんが偉人物語] ("Manga Stories of Great Men") (tv)/(tvss)/(edu), Masakazu Higuchi /Group TAC.
(drawn animation)

November
Five Weeks in a Balloon (tvsp), Chris Cuddington /Hanna-Barbera Australia. (Australia)
(drawn animation)

December
The Fat Albert Christmas Special (tvsp), Hal Sutherland /Filmation.
(drawn animation)

A Flintstone Christmas (tvsp), Charles A. Nichols /Hanna-Barbera.
(drawn animation)

Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (tvsp), Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass /Rankin-Bass.
(model animation)

Silent Night (tvsp), National Telefilm Associates.
(drawn animation)

December
A Cosmic Christmas (tvsp), Clive Smith /Nelvana. (Canada)
(drawn animation)


December
Jouo Heika no Petite Ange [女王陛下のプティアンジェ] ("Her Royal Highness the Queen, Petite Ange") (tv), Fumio Kurokawa /Nippon Animation.
(drawn animation)

Shin Kyojin no Hoshi [新巨人の星] ("New Star of the Giants") (f), TMS.
(drawn animation)

Yakyukyo no Uta [野球狂の詩] ("Poem of a Baseball Fan") (tvsp), Nippon Animation.
(drawn animation)


United States The Americas (excluding U.S.) Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
Japan
 
Australasia (excluding Japan)
no date
Bergen Paint: Hi-Gloss (tvss)/(adv), Robert Abel.
(cgi animation)

Davey & Goliath: Halloween Who-Dun-It (tvsp), Art Clokey /Clokey.
(model animation)

no date
The Bead Game (ss), Ishu Patel /NFB. (Canada)
(animated beads)

Le Chateau de sable // Sand Castle (ss), Co Hoedeman /NFB. (Canada)
(model animation)
Academy Award: Best Short Subjects, Animation

Le Chateau de sable imageLe Chateau de sable
Jimmy the C (ss), Jimmy Picker, Robert Grossman, and Craig Whitaker /Motionpicker.
(clay animation)

Joe Ruby and Ken Spears found Ruby-Spears Productions.

Le Paysagiste // Mindscape (ss), Jacques Drouin /NFB. (Canada)
(pinscreen animation)

Spinnolio (ss), John Weldon /NFB. (Canada)
(drawn animation)

no date
Adamo e l'acqua ("Adam and the Water) (tv), Pagot. (Italy)
(drawn animation)

Arkatzner Antarum ("Adventures in the Forest") (tvss), A. Margarian /Yerevan. (Soviet Union [Russia])
(drawn animation)

Farbrorn som inte vill va' stor ("The Uncle Who Didn't Want to be a Grownup") (tv), Peter Cohen and Olof Landström /POJ-Filmproduktion. (Sweden)
(drawn animation)

Grandma Bricks of Swallow Street (tvss), Cosgrove-Hall. (Great Britain)
(model animation)

Gulliver's Travels (f), Peter Hunt /Valeness and Belvision. (Great Britain/Belgium)
(drawn animation, part live action)

Hellere rig og rask end syg og fattig (tvsp), Jannik Hastrup /Dansk Tegnefilm Kompagni. (Denmark)
(drawn animation)

Kuzdok ("Fight") (ss), Marcell Jankovics /Pannoniafilm. (Hungary)
(drawn animation)

Max und Moritz (tv), Halas and Batchelor. (Great Britain)
(drawn animation)

La Noiraude ("Blackie the Cow") (tvss), Jean-Louis Fournier and Gilles Gay /Telecip. (France)
(drawn animation)

Poligon [Полигон] ("Firing Range") (ss), Anatoly Petrov /Soyuzmultifilm. (Soviet Union [Russia])
(drawn animation)

Il quarto re ("The Fourth King") (tvsp), Romano Scarpa. (Italy)
(drawn animation)

Wielka podroz Bolka i Lolka ("Around the World with Bolek and Lolek") (f), Stanislaw Dülz and Wladyslaw Nehrebecki /Filmow Rysunkowych. (Poland)
(drawn animation)

Zhuravlinnye Perya [Журавлиные Перья] ("Crane Feathers") (ss), Ideya Garanina /Soyuzmultifilm. (Soviet Union [Russia])
(model animation)

Haim Saban and Shuki Levy found Saban International in Paris. (France)

France Animation founded in Paris. (France)

Studios Idefix closes. (France)


no date
Dot and the Kangaroo (f), Yoram Gross /Yoram Gross. (Australia)
(drawn animation with live action backgrounds)
first Dot feature

Note: Unfortunately I lack the time or resources to help people find copies of animated films and television programs. I have put together a web List of Online Video and Book Stores that will be useful to find copies in the United States. There are other similar stores on the Internet around the world that might be able to supply the DVDs, LDs, or video tapes that are desired. Check my Animation on the World Wide Web pages for links to animation studios and other Internet resources that may have further information. I am not involved in trading materials from my own collection. I am still waiting to see most of the programs in this Chronology and would be happy to find sources for many of them.

Because of these circumstances I will not respond to requests for help to find these types of materials.


Continue to 1978 Last update: March 12, 2012
Comments to: Richard Llewellyn
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