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The Mysterious Cities of Gold

The Mysterious Cities of Gold
★ 7.8/10•1982•28m•TV-Y7•Kids•Animation•Action & Adventure
Similars

The adventures of a young Spanish boy named Esteban who joins a voyage to the New World in search of the lost Cities of Gold and his father.

StatusEnded
Runtime28m
LanguageJA
First Air DateJun 29, 1982

Episodes

Episode 1 - Esteban, Child of the SunE127m

Esteban, Child of the Sun

Father Rodriguez, who has looked after Esteban since he was a baby, tells him a great secret on his deathbed: somewhere his father may still be alive. So Esteban decides to begin his search in the New World. With the help of Mendoza, a mysterious man who claims to have rescued him as a baby, Esteban hides as a stowaway, aboard the Esperanza. As they are about to set sail, he meets a young Inca girl: Zia.

Jun 29, 1982

Episode 2 - Crossing the AtlanticE228m

Crossing the Atlantic

The two children, Esteban and Zia, find out that they both wear the same strange medallion. The Esperanza crosses the Atlantic and nears the entrance of the Straits of Magellan, where wild seas and strong winds create terrible storms. Mendoza, the navigator, prepares to spend four days and nights at the wheel.

Jul 6, 1982

Episode 3 - Heroes AgainE327m

Heroes Again

Buffeted by a fierce wind and a wild sea, the Esperanza manages to sail through the Straits of Magellan, under Mendoza's guidance. But now, the ship faces another trial of strength: it is in the grip of a hurricane.

Jul 13, 1982

Episode 4 - Adrift on the Endless SeaE429m

Adrift on the Endless Sea

Esteban and his friends barely cross through the terrible Straits of Magellan before their ship, the Esperanza, sinks in a storm. Tossed around on a small raft and attacked by sharks, they're left in the middle of the ocean, with no provisions. But a seagull overhead guides them towards the closest shores, and they finally reach a small island.

Jul 20, 1982

Episode 5 - The Abduction of ZiaE527m

The Abduction of Zia

After a dangerous journey, Esteban and his friends are washed up on a mysterious island. That night, a shadowy figure comes creeping towards them. Silently, the figure steals a chart and a pistol, then snatches up Zia. Esteban gives chase. He discovers a curious house in a tree, where Zia is a prisoner. To Esteban's surprise, the mysterious shadow turns out to be a friendly boy of his own age, called Tao.

Jul 27, 1982

Episode 6 - The Ship SolarisE626m

The Ship Solaris

On a small island among the Galapagos, Esteban and Zia find a young boy living all alone: Tao. His ancestors left a magnificent ship, the Solaris, which contains their ancient secret knowledge, hidden in a temple on the island. Esteban and Zia want to use the ship to reach the mainland.

Aug 3, 1982

Episode 7 - Secret of the SolarisE727m

Secret of the Solaris

Gomez' Spanish galleon overtakes and attacks the Solaris, the sun-powered ship on which the children are travelling. They manage to outrun the Spanish ship when Tao discovers a wonderful secret solar power boost, just in time. At last, they reach the new continent.

Aug 24, 1982

Episode 8 - The New ContinentE826m

The New Continent

After many adventures, Esteban and his friends finally set foot on the new continent. But there, they meet the soldiers of Governor Pizarro, men who think only of gold. They capture Zia and try to make her tell them the way to the Cities of Gold, but Tao and Esteban help her to escape.

Aug 31, 1982

Episode 9 - The End of the SolarisE927m

The End of the Solaris

Esteban and his companions escape from Pizarro, but their fabulous ship, the Solaris, is taken by Gaspard and Gomez. They offer to exchange the ship for Zia, and her secret. Trying to save Zia, and the friendly Inca people in the village, Tao blows up Gomez's ship, but sadly the Solaris is also destroyed.

Sep 7, 1982

Episode 10 - Secret of the TempleE1027m

Secret of the Temple

Esteban and his friends are on their way to Zia's village, when they are surrounded by Spanish soldiers. The children manage to escape, and take refuge in an underground temple, where they meet the old priest, Pasha. To help them escape, the priest melts the pillar of ice that supports the temple roof, and it crashes down on top of him. The others just manage to get away.

Sep 14, 1982

Episode 11 - Messengers of the RegionE1127m

Messengers of the Region

Gomez captures the children and forces Zia to reveal the secret of the Golden Quipu. It is an Inca message which reveals that the Cities of Gold lie beyond the High Mountain Peak. In the night, Esteban and the children escape. They find a secret underground passage and set off for the High Peak.

Sep 21, 1982

Episode 12 - Secret of the MedallionsE1227m

Secret of the Medallions

The Spanish army follow Esteban and his friends to the Fort of the Black Eagle. Under cover of darkness, the Spaniards attack the fort, but Tao devises a rocket flare that repels the attackers, saving the fort. The three children leave the fort and at last reach the City of the High Peak, whose chief, Kraka, tells them that the medallions Esteban and Zia wear can open the doors of Sela, one of the Cities of Gold.

Sep 28, 1982

Episode 13 - Mystery of the ParentsE1327m

Mystery of the Parents

When Esteban arrives at the place called the High Peak, he meets an old man, Mayuka, who seems to know something about his parents.

Oct 5, 1982

Episode 14 - Esteban's MedallionsE1427m

Esteban's Medallions

Mendoza steals the Spanish army's cannon in order to win the trust of the Indians, but his plan fails. As the three Spaniards are about to be executed, Esteban comes to save them. But he demands that Mendoza give him back the sun section of his gold medallion.

Oct 12, 1982

Episode 15 - The Subterranean SecretE1527m

The Subterranean Secret

Gomez and his soldiers attack the Fort of the Black Eagle to try to recapture the cannon Mendoza had stolen. Mendoza uses the cannon to fight back, but cannot stop the Spanish army who storm the fort and drive the Incas out. Esteban, Tao and Zia run away towards the High Peak, following secret underground passages constructed by the Incas.

Oct 26, 1982

Episode 16 - The UrubusE1627m

The Urubus

Searching for the Cities of Gold, Esteban and his friends cross a high plateau up in the Andes. Near Lake Titicaca, they are attacked by the Urubus, a tribe of giants. Tao invents a submarine, and they capture Karuga, chief of the tribe, and hold him prisoner. Karuga tells them that there's a City of Gold on a mountain, guarded by the earth goddess, Pachamama.

Nov 9, 1982

Episode 17 - The Great CondorE1727m

The Great Condor

The setting sunlight leads Esteban and his friends to the statue of the earth goddess, Pachamama. The legend goes that when Pachamama takes the sun in her arms, the Gates to the Cities of Gold will open. Estaban and Zia place their medallions in the statue and the mountain opens up to reveal the first City of Gold. Inside they discover a great bird, made of solid gold.

Nov 16, 1982

Episode 18 - Maiden Flight of the CondorE1827m

Maiden Flight of the Condor

Inside the first City of Gold, Esteban finds a great Golden Condor. When the volcano on which the Cities are built begins to erupt, the Cities are destroyed. Sheltering inside the body of the Condor, they try to make its mechanism work, using the Medallion of the Sun. Suddenly, the giant bird spreads its wings and takes flight.

Nov 23, 1982

Episode 19 - The Nasca PlateauE1927m

The Nasca Plateau

The great Golden Condor, carrying Esteban and his friends away from Pachamama and the erupting volcano, lands in the desert at Nazca. But when Pizarro and his soldiers arrive, Esteban makes sure everyone escapes.

Nov 30, 1982

Episode 20 - The Spaniards' CannonE2027m

The Spaniards' Cannon

The Golden Condor carries Esteban and his companions to the High Peak, where they encounter the Spanish forces, armed with their cannon. With the help of the Golden Condor, they stop Gomez and Gaspard. And when they had saved their friends, they leave the High Peak, in search of the land of the Mayas.

Dec 7, 1982

Episode 21 - The AmazonsE2127m

The Amazons

The group head for the land of the Mayas, on board the Golden Condor, when they are forced to land in the jungle. They are captured by Amazon warriors and taken to their temple, to be sacrificed to the Rain God. But Esteban uses his special powers, and the sun comes out. The Queen is so impressed by his power to command the sun, that she orders their release.

Dec 14, 1982

Episode 22 - The Mirror of the MoonE2227m

The Mirror of the Moon

Esteban and his friends on board the Golden Condor have to make a forced landing in the jungle, where they're captured by Amazon warriors who want to sacrifice them to their Rain God. After some difficulties, they manage to escape from this dangerous situation. And in the end, the Queen of the Amazons allows them to leave for the land of the Mayas.

Dec 21, 1982

Episode 23 - The Jade MaskE2327m

The Jade Mask

In the jungle, Esteban and his friends discover some ruins, deserted temples and pyramids. In one of the temples, Pedro and Sancho try to remove a jade mask from the wall when the mask begins to glow. Suddenly the stone beams shoot out of the walls, ceiling and floor and trip them up.

Jan 11, 1983

Episode 24 - The ManuscriptE2427m

The Manuscript

After solving the secret of the green jade mask, Esteban and his friends find a manuscript which seems to hold the key to the whereabouts of the Cities of Gold. But almost immediately, they are captured by Doctor Fernando Laguerra and his friend, Marinche, who are also searching for the Cities of Gold. However, Kokapetl manages to rescue them all.

Jan 18, 1983

Episode 25 - The Lake of GoldE2527m

The Lake of Gold

Esteban and his friends are captured by Indians who wanted to sacrifice them to purify their sacred lake of gold. Marinche and Doctor Laguerra try to poison the lake so they could get at all the treasure on the bottom. Mendoza foils their plan by breaking through the dam, flooding the village and allowing the children to escape.

Jan 25, 1983

Episode 26 - The SwampsE2627m

The Swamps

The Serpent God of the Mayas was said to have crossed the mountains to build a new city in the east, among the swamps of the Rain God. Setting out to find this second city, Esteban and his friends are tricked by Marinche, and find themselves fighting the alligators in the marshes. After a savage battle, they escape to the other side of the swamp.

Feb 15, 1983

Episode 27 - The Doors of NightE2727m

The Doors of Night

Esteban and his friends find the second City of Gold, but they are captured by Marinche and the Doctor. The Doctor finds a new manuscript, but is caught in a trap set into the floor of the temple. The children get the manuscript which tells of a third city, to be found near a forest of statues.

Feb 22, 1983

Episode 28 - The Forest of StatuesE2827m

The Forest of Statues

After much travelling and many adventures, Esteban and his friends finally discover the third temple built deep inside an enormous cave. A golden statue is holding a third manuscript which mentions a mountain known as "The Burning Shield".

Mar 1, 1983

Episode 29 - The Burning ShieldE2927m

The Burning Shield

Having found the Burning Shield, Esteban and his friends fall into the hands of the mysterious Olmecs, who possess very advanced technology. They escape from them, but are captured again. So what will happen to them now?

Mar 8, 1983

Episode 30 - The EscapeE3025m

The Escape

Using their advanced technology, the Olmecs are able to collect energy from the heat of the sun, and from deep inside the Earth. They capture Esteban, Tao and Zia, intent on transplanting their cells to regenerate their elders, so they can become young again. With Mendoza's help, the children manage to escape.

Mar 15, 1983

Episode 31 - The Village of the New SunE3127m

The Village of the New Sun

Esteban and his friends are guests at the Village of the New Sun. But the Olmecs have found the Golden Condor, and prepare to attack the village, with the help of the Doctor and Marinche, who mean to steal the great golden bird for themselves. Meanwhile, Myena discovers that Papacamayo, the old chief, is really Zia's father.

Apr 5, 1983

Episode 32 - Attack of the OlmecsE3227m

Attack of the Olmecs

With the help of Gomez and Gaspard, Esteban and his friends succeed in getting the Golden Condor to fly. But the Olmecs find the Indian Village of the New Sun, and mount a fierce attack. With the help of the Golden Condor, they are defeated. But Zia's father, Papacamayo, has been seriously wounded.

Apr 12, 1983

Episode 33 - The ReunionE3327m

The Reunion

In the Indian Village of the New Sun, Zia at last finds her father, Papacamayo. But her happiness is short-lived, when he dies from his wounds, after defending the village against an attack by the Olmecs. All the Mayan tribes unite to fight against the Olmecs.

Apr 19, 1983

Episode 34 - Revolt of the MayasE3427m

Revolt of the Mayas

The Mayan people arm themselves and attack the Olmecs, who have been tyrannising them for years. A fierce battle takes place near the entrance to the Olmec base. From the Golden Condor, Esteban and the other children bombard the Olmecs with stones, turning the tide of the battle in favour of the Mayas.

Apr 26, 1983

Episode 35 - The Olmec MachineE3527m

The Olmec Machine

Esteban and his friends manage to find their way into the Olmec base. But Kalmec discovers them, and takes Zia prisoner. Suddenly, a gigantic war machine rushes up from deep inside the Olmec underground temple.

May 10, 1983

Episode 36 - Aerial PursuitE3627m

Aerial Pursuit

Esteban flies the Golden Condor against the terrible Olmec war machine, to try to rescue Zia. Tao and Esteban manage to leap onto the machine in mid-air, and Zia is saved. But Tao is left behind, a prisoner.

May 17, 1983

Episode 37 - The City of GoldE3727m

The City of Gold

With Tao as a hostage, the Olmecs force Esteban and Zia to use their medallions to open the doors to the City of Gold.

May 24, 1983

Episode 38 - The Great LegacyE3827m

The Great Legacy

After wounding the High Priest of the Cities of Gold, Kalmec steals the Great Treasure, a concentrated source of the sun's power also called the Sun Power Unit. However, the security systems of the City are activated and destroy the Olmecs' flying machine. Kalmec and Menator make their way back to their base, taking the Great Treasure with them.

May 31, 1983

Episode 39 - End of the City of GoldE3927m

End of the City of Gold

The Olmecs place the Sun Power Unit at the bottom of their sunlight collecting crystal and activate it. However, the unit does not behave as expected and the Sun Power Unit begins to overheat. The High Priest of the Cities of Gold, who turns out to be Esteban's father, tries to shut it down using Tao's jar which is actually a control unit. But he could be too late.

Jun 7, 1983

Actors

Rei Sakuma

Rei Sakuma

Zia (voice)

Masako Nozawa

Masako Nozawa

Esteban (voice)

Isao Sasaki

Isao Sasaki

Mendoza (voice)

Junko Hori

Junko Hori

Tao (voice)

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