3000 Leagues in Search of Mother
Italy is in a deep depression, so to support her family, Marco's mother goes to Argentina to work as a domestic. But after she writes to her family that she is sick, her letters stop coming. So Marco decides to go to Argentina to look for her. He travels across Argentina to find her, meeting many wonderful people, and having many adventures during his journey.
Cast: Yoshiko Matsuo, Kazuyuki Sogabe, Yukiko Nikaido
6HDCC
Season 1
52 episodes
1. Mama, Don't GoNine-year-old Marco is thrilled to go on a family picnic, not knowing that it will be the last one before his mother Anna leaves Italy to work abroad.6CC25minJan 4, 1976
2. Marco, a Boy from GenoaA year has passed since Anna left. Marco thinks about becoming a postman after receiving a letter from her on the day his older brother visits home.6CC25minJan 11, 1976
3. Sunday at the HarborMarco sets out on his first job to deliver an urgent letter for Gina. A fun day at the beach begins when he finally returns in the afternoon.6CC25minJan 18, 1976
4. I Hate You, PapaMarco wants to work to help his mother come home sooner, but his father won't listen.6CC25minJan 25, 1976
5. My Good Friend, EmilioEmilio helps Marco get a job washing bottles after school. Marco's father Pietro buys him a world map and the two bond for the first time in a while.6CC25minFeb 1, 1976
6. Marco's PaydayMarco has an ominous dream about his mother, and he worries when there is no new letter from her.6CC25minFeb 8, 1976
7. Watching the Ocean from the RoofPoor Marco can barely see the ocean from his new place. He goes from roof to roof to find a better view and meets Fiorina the puppeteer along the way.6CC25minFeb 15, 1976
8. The Peppino Puppet TroupeMarco's monkey delights onlookers by dancing in the puppet show. Peppino the puppet master invites Marco to dinner to show his gratitude.6CC25minFeb 22, 1976
9. I'm Sorry, PapaWhen Marco shows Pietro's friend the way to the hospital, he is touched to discover his father testing a new treatment on himself to save a patient.6CC25minFeb 29, 1976
10. Mama Is in Buenos AiresConcetta goes out on the streets despite having a cold. Her symptoms worsen, but the family can't afford a doctor. Marco goes to the clinic for help.6CC25minMar 7, 1976
11. A Letter from MamaFiorina must put on a show alone because everyone else is ill. Just as she gets safely through it with Marco's help, bad news arrives about Anna.6CC25minMar 14, 1976
12. The AirshipMarco once again considers going to Argentina. Emilio asks Renato to help Marco get to Argentina after having huge success with his ice cream sales.6CC25minMar 21, 1976
13. Goodbye, FiorinaJoy over the group trip to Argentina is cut short when Renato goes back on his word. Marco gives Amedeo a letter for Anna and entrusts him to Peppino.6CC25minMar 28, 1976
14. Marco's DecisionWhen Marco reveals that he'd meant to be on the ship to Argentina, Pietro begins laying the groundwork to go himself.6CC25minApr 4, 1976
15. The ForgoleMarco is discovered by Leonardo, but the ship's head cook is impressed by his persistence. Pietro learns the extent of his son's determination.6CC25minApr 11, 1976
16. The Young CookThe head cook is touched by Marco's love for his mother and takes him under his wing.6CC25minApr 18, 1976
17. Neptune's RevelMarco grows fond of his new life aboard the ship.6CC25minApr 25, 1976
18. The Immigrant Ship to RioThe ship arrives in Rio de Janeiro. Marco's friends help him look for another ship headed to Buenos Aires.6CC25minMay 2, 1976
19. The Shining Stars of the Southern CrossThe ship Marco boards in Rio is full of sick people and the meals are dismal. Marco meets a lost little boy named Nino aboard the crowded ship.6CC25minMay 9, 1976
20. The Stormy NightSix days after leaving Rio, the ship sustains heavy damage due to violent weather.6CC25minMay 16, 1976
21. Rio de La PlataMarco begs for the ship to go faster after waking from a terrifying nightmare.6CC25minMay 23, 1976
22. The Town Where Mother IsThe ship finally arrives in Buenos Aires. The person who knows Anna's whereabouts has run away, and Marco loses all his money to a pickpocket.6CC25minMay 30, 1976
23. Another MotherMarco is at his wit's after losing all his money. Then he hears about a woman named Anna who has been taken to the hospital, and rushes to see her.6CC25minJun 6, 1976
24. Fiorina Is WaitingAfter being left with absolutely no information on his mother's whereabouts, Marco hears a rumor about a familiar puppet show in the area.6CC25minJun 13, 1976
25. The Peppino Troupe Makes a Big HitPeppino and his family decide to accompany Marco to Bahía Blanca.6CC25minJun 20, 1976
26. To the PampasThe day has come to leave for Bahía Blanca.6CC25minJun 27, 1976
27. Fiorina's TearsPeppino has an idea to start a show based on Marco's life. Fiorina breaks down and cries for the real Marco during practice for her role as Marco.6CC25minJul 4, 1976
28. The Barbossa RanchFiorina's heart breaks further as Peppino decides to write the death of Marco's mother into the puppet play to elicit more emotion.6CC25minJul 11, 1976
29. Snow FallsMarco and his friends finally find shelter after running out of water. Gaucho Carlos revitalizes the group with hot food and wonderful music.6CC25minJul 18, 1976
30. Old Gaucho CarlosMarco and his friends are able to make their way to an inn after Carlos repairs their carriage.6CC25minJul 25, 1976
31. A Long NightPeppino and his troop stay the night in an abandoned place with a caved-in roof. Marco and Peppino decide to keep quiet about a harrowing encounter.6CC25minAug 1, 1976
32. Saying GoodbyeAn Italian immigrant family suggests paying Mr. Moretti a visit for possible information on Marco's mother.6CC25minAug 8, 1976
33. Mama Is Not HereMarco visits Mr. Moretti soon after arriving in Bahía Blanca, but he provides no information on his mother or uncle's whereabouts.6CC25minAug 15, 1976
34. I Want to Go Back to GenoaPeppino's words have no effect on Marco. When Fiorina expresses her concern, Marco breaks down crying that his mother is probably already dead.6CC25minAug 22, 1976
35. Mama's HandwritingMarco meets a vagrant in town. After hearing his story, the man gives Marco a letter from his mother as well as new information on her whereabouts.6CC25minAug 29, 1976
36. Farewell, Bahia BlancaThe news of his mother brings Marco's time with Fiorina closer toward its end. Marco starts working at a coal mine to cover his travel expenses.6CC25minSep 5, 1976
37. Endless JourneyMarco arrives in Buenos Aires, only to discover that his mother had already moved on to Córdoba.6CC25minSep 12, 1976
38. Mama's HardshipMarco learns the deep extent of his mother's patience when he meets her cruel former employer before setting out to sail once again.6CC25minSep 19, 1976
39. Rosy Dawn in RosarioThe captain becomes angry about Marco getting a free ride to Rosario, but changes his attitude upon discovering that Marco is a fellow Genoese.6CC25minSep 26, 1976
40. The Star of ItalyMarco gets turned away at the door at the mansion in Rosario. Federico scrounges up enough money to cover Marco's train fare to Córdoba.6CC25minOct 3, 1976
41. If I Could Go Home with Mother...Marco strengthens his resolve to find his mother after his chance meeting with a woman and her children during the train ride to Córdoba.6CC25minOct 10, 1976
42. A New Friend, PabloMequinez had moved long before Marco's arrival in Córdoba. In the town, Marco meets a boy named Pablo and develops a strange relationship with him.6CC25minOct 17, 1976
43. Somewhere in This TownTo raise some money, Pablo looks for work in the fields. Unfortunately, the period is the wrong one and so he tries his luck fishing.6CC25minOct 24, 1976
44. Helping FuanaThe house is not inhabited by the person Marco is looking for, but by an architect. The man, who appreciates the efforts of the little traveler, also offers him the money to travel to Tucuman.6CC25minOct 31, 1976
45. Going NorthThe train attendants find Marco during an inspection and the boy ends up going down thirty kilometers from the destination.6CC25minNov 7, 1976
46. The Trip on the OxcartDuring the journey, Marco falls ill for a few days and the herdsmen who take him with them must take care of his recovery.6CC25minNov 14, 1976
47. Mama Lives at the Foot of the MountainAfter traveling for days, Marco leaves the group of herdsmen to get to Tucuman.6CC25minNov 21, 1976
48. Don't Die, My BurroThe journey to the village of Tucuman proves to be more hard than expected.6CC25minNov 28, 1976
49. Mama Is Calling MeHaving lost his donkey, Marco has to walk on foot.6CC25minDec 5, 1976
50. Run, Marco, Run!Exhausted and under the snow, Marco is collected by a young man on horseback. On the way, a local elder has his nephew take him to Tucuman.6CC25minDec 12, 1976
51. Mama's SmileThe long journey is over. The residence of the Mequinez is now visible and Marco reaches his mother.6CC25minDec 19, 1976
52. Back to Genoa with MamaAfter the recovery, Marco's mother can resume normal life. The Mequinez family, out of gratitude, gives the ticket to Genoa to both of them, with the promise of returning to Argentina.6CC25minDec 26, 1976
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3000 Leagues in Search of Mother
★ 7.7/1019761 season52 episodesEnded
Italy is in a deep depression, so to support her family, Marco's mother goes to Argentina to work as a domestic. But after she writes to her family that she is sick, her letters stop coming. So Marco decides to go to Argentina to look for her. He travels across Argentina to find her, meeting many wonderful people, and having many adventures during his journey.
Creators and cast
- Created by
- Takaji Matsudo, Koichi Motohashi, Junzō Nakajima
- Studio
- Nippon Animation
