- Kaiketsu Zorro
is a Japanese
anime , based on the western characterZorro . 52 episodes were produced and became very popular in European countries, mostly Spain.Plot
Don Diego de la Vega returns from his study trip to discover his homeland is under the army's dictatorship. Diego, refusing to watch idly, disguises himself as Zorro to protect the weak and oppressed. Diego is not a coward but he is unable to win the affections of his sweetheart, Lolita, who is attracted to other more noble men. Diego serenades Lolita as Zorro and fights the evils of his homeland, hoping to capture her heart.
Diego is accompanied by the silent Bernardo, a boy wearing a similar costume, dubbed "Little Zorro", and a small brown dog.
Main Characters
;Zorro/Don Diego de la Vega.The Main Character of the series. When he is simply Diego he acts lazy and clumsy, usually showing cowardly, foolish and silly characteristics to hide his secret identity but as Zorro he is the best swordsman in the world.
;Lolita PrideauxDiego's spunky blond childhood friend and later became love interest. She's bossy over Diego but she loves Zorro.
;BernardoAn abandoned orphan found by Diego when he's still a baby. Diego adopted and took care of him as if he's his younger brother. As years passed, he helps Zorro by eavesdropping in other people's conversations and later develops an alter ego "Little Zorro". This role was popularized by pantomime comedian
Gene Sheldon .;Commandant RaymondThe Main Villain of the series. The corrupt head officer of the Spanish Army in California. He is killed by Zorro in the end of anime.
;Lieutenant GabrielThe Second Main Villain of the series. An officer of the Spanish army who has an affection to Lolita. He is the right hand conspirator of Commandant Raymond on each of their evil plots in California.
;Don Alejandro de la VegaDon Diego's Father.
;Sgt. Pedro GonzalesStout sergeant who often serves as the comic relief, comparable to
Johnston McCulley 's character from 1920's "The Mark of Zorro".Episodes
# The symbol of justice is “Z” !
# Here comes Little Zorro!
# Gabriel, the plotter!
# Wake up my friend!
# Father's Secret
# A trap with a red jewel
# An heiress to property
# A guitar to kill
# Let's find the pirate treasure!
# Diego has become a ghost!
# The adventure of little Zorro
# Figaro, the stray dog
# Little Zorro at full blast
# The stagecouch is in danger!
# Lolita's kiss
# The sword for Japan
# Zorro is cornered!
# Diego, the clever detective
# A house of tricky devices
# The boy who seeks vengeance on Zorro
# Fly, the wings of dreams!
# Gonzales, the thief
# The bride is a Spanish girl
# Raymond, the enemy of the people
# The clown in tears
# Pepita, the liar
# Romping madam and the little Zorro
# Haunted ruins
# Mona Lisa is crying
# Gonzales in love
# Wicked design of the South India trading company
# The doctor is a drunkard
# A terrible wooer
# The order to kill Zorro
# Gonzales in love again
# Zorro was unmasked at last!
# Diego has become a rascal
# Lady inventor at full blast
# The battle in the storm
# My fair lady Zorro
# Lolita, get your gun!
# Trap by Ninja magic
# Beauty and monster
# Gabriel's rebellion
# The legend of the divine wood
# Zorro's head is cut off
# Governor-general kidnapped
# A righteous military officer
# Farewell to the army
# Blast off the demonic cannons!
# Raymond: a prelude to the collapse
# The sword of justice foreverTrivia
* Despite the same name, Bernardo is very little, a side kick and not mute unlike his western counterpart.
* Diego/Zorro is blond and has no mustache unlike his western counterpart.
* Viento (Zorro's horse) is white unlike his western counterpart Tornado (which is a black horse).
* Lolita is blond unlike the black long hair of her western counterpart.External links
* [http://www.mondotv.it/EN_Mondo/Mondo_EN/TVSeriesEN_Source/Zorro/Zorro1.html Office site]
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