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Warner Offers Japanese-Animated Classic Marine Boy on DVD

Warner Archives announced that it is offering the classic Japanese-animated television series Marine Boy (Kaitei Shōnen Marine) through its made-to-order DVD program. The 1966 series follows a young hero's adventures underwater. By chewing Oxy-gum to breathe underwater, Marine fends off threats and villains with the help of a dolphin and a mermaid (named Whitey and Neptuna in Japan, Splasher and Neptina in the United States).

The project is one of the first Japanese-animated color television works. The first full Kaitei Shōnen Marine series aired after Kimba the White Lion (Jungle Emperor/Jungle Taitei) premiered in 1965, but three episodes aired on a trial basis before Kimba the White Lion under the title Dolphin Ōji (Dolphin Prince).

Warner describes the series:

Produced in Japan but intended for first run in the US, Marine Boy was one of the first color cartoons to come from Japan, soon to be sharing syndicated screen space with the likes of Kimba the White Lion and Speed Racer (with whom it shares a number of voice actors). Teenage Marine Boy battles evil on and under the seas on behalf of the Ocean Patrol, aided by the amazing inventions of his father, Dr. Mariner and the brilliant Professor Fumble. Joining Marine Boy in his mission are his white dolphin, Splasher, young mermaid Neptina, and fellow Ocean Patrol agents Bullton and Piper.

The Complete First Season set contains 26 "newly remastered" episodes on three discs for US$29.95.

[Via Animation Scoop]

Update: The set debuted on Warner Archive's website on Wednesday. [Via Ruper Pupkin, Mike Toole]