Gamba no Bouken (ガンバの冒険) is a Japanese anime series based on the 1972 novel Boukenshatachi: Ganba to 15-hiki no Nakama (冒険者たち ガンバと15ひきの仲間) by Atsuo Saitō and directed by Osamu Dezaki. Its 26 episodes were broadcast on Nippon TV between April 7 and September 29, 1975 and was animated by Tokyo Movie. The first film, a compilation feature returning to the title of the book the series was based on, was released on March 4, 1984 and was animated by Tokyo Movie Shinsha. The series has been adapted into a film, titled Ganba to Kawauso no Bouken (ガンバとカワウソの冒険), which was released in Japan on July 20, 1991 and again was animated by TMS. In March 2003, Bandai released a puzzle and action PlayStation game called Gamba no Bouken: The Puzzle Action. A 3D CG animated film adaptation was released in Japan on October 10, 2015, titled Gamba: Gamba to Nakama-tachi (GAMBA ガンバと仲間たち), which was later released in the United States by Lionsgate and Grindstone Entertainment Group in 2017 that changed many character names under the title Air Bound. Prior to this, an English version was produced by SC Films International under the name Gamba 3D, and without character name changes.

Plot

Gamba, a brown mouse, embarks on a sailing journey with his childhood friend. They gather experienced mice sailors at a harbour. They encounter Chūta, a mouse who has been injured and is seeking help. He appeals for Gamba and Bōbo to assist him in defending the island of Yumemishima and its inhabitants from the cruel and wicked invading Noroi Clan. Gamba elects to sail to Yumemishima with Chūta to help defend the island, and Gamba recruits more mice to join their cause on the island.

Characters

Voice cast

TV show

2015 film

Additional voices:

Episode listing

Music

Opening theme

"Gamba no uta" (The Gamba Song)

Ending theme

"Boukenshatachi no Ballad" (The Ballad of the Adventurer)

Insert song

"Hayasegawa no Uta" (Hayasegawa's Song) "Kaze no Sekai" (Windy World) This song is played on episode 15 when the man in the mountain hut turns on the radio.

Reception

In a 2006 poll of Japanese celebrities conducted by TV Asahi, Gamba no Bouken was ranked as respondents' 22nd favorite TV anime out of 100, beating many other series including: One Piece, Naruto, Dragon Ball, Evangelion, and Fullmetal Alchemist. In 2013, anime director Kenji Kamiyama, most known for the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex series, cited the original anime among the 15 best anime of all time.