Belle and Sebastian (名犬ジョリィ, Meiken Jorī, Jolie the famous dog) is an anime adaption of the novel Belle et Sébastien by French author Cécile Aubry. The series ran on the Japanese network NHK from April 7, 1981 – June 22, 1982. It consists of 52 episodes and was a co-production of MK Company, Visual 80 Productions and Toho Company, Ltd.. Toshiyuki Kashiwakura was the head writer and character designs were by Shuichi Seki. The show was broadcast on French and Japanese television in 1981, with American cable network Nickelodeon picking it up in 1984. In the United Kingdom, it aired on Children's BBC in 1989 and 1990.
This anime used many staffers from Nippon Animation's World Masterpiece Theater franchise, thus the look and feel is similar to that of a WMT production even though Nippon Animation itself was not involved with this series.
The series has been aired in many countries outside Japan and has been dubbed and subtitled in English and numerous other languages.
The series is about the mountain-based adventures of a young boy named Sebastian and his Pyrenean mountain dog, Belle, who live in a small village in France. He has no friends because he is teased by the other children for not having a mother. But one day, he meets a gentle white dog who has been falsely accused of terrible crimes. He names her Belle and they become the best of friends. To save her from an unjust fate, he leaves his adoptive family and begins traveling with her and his little dog, Poochie. They have many adventures as they elude the police and search for his long-lost mother.
Sebastian
Sebastian is a 7-year-old boy from a French village near the mountains. Since he was born, he has been living with his adoptive grandfather, Cecil, and Anne-Marie. He is good-natured and energetic, but the children in town tease him because he doesn't have a real mother. Sebastian's deepest desires are to find his mother and to have a good friend.
Belle
Belle ("Jolie" in the Japanese version) is a large white Great Pyrenee who escaped into the French countryside. She is gentle and warmhearted, but her attempts to help those in need are misunderstood. She is labeled "The White Monster" and the police are constantly on her tail.
Poochie
Poochie is a little puppy who rides around in Sebastian's pocket. Although Poochie is always yapping and getting into mischief, he is a good friend to Sebastian and Belle.
Cecil
Cecil took Sebastian in as a baby and acts as his adoptive grandfather. He is a loving mentor who teaches him all he knows about the mountains and the wilderness.
Anne-Marie
Anne-Marie is Cecil's biological granddaughter. She has helped care for Sebastian since he was born, and fancies herself as his mother despite being the age of an older sister at best. She loves him deeply, but is often overprotective and a little harsh.
Isabel
Isabel is Sebastian's real mother, a traveling Romani. She went against the gypsy code and married an outsider, but he died before Sebastian was born. She had him secretly in the mountains, and promised to come back for him one day when her people were able to understand.
Sarah
Sarah is a sick, lonely little girl living in Spain who Sebastian meets on his journey. Both long for friends their own age to play with, so they quickly become close. We find out during the series that she celebrates her 9th birthday. Her father is a very rich man who gives her everything she can possibly desire, yet the only thing that can make Sarah happy is to have a truly good friend. She reappears several times during his journey to lend a helping hand. During the course of the series, a romantic bond forms between Sebastian and Sarah, and it is strongly implied that the two of them married when they grew up and lived happily ever after, with Belle still at their side.
Doctor Alexander Phillips
Dr. Phillips is a local doctor in the village where Sebastian lives, he's also Anne-Marie's boyfriend.
Mister Albert
Mr. Albert is Sarah's father, a rich man, well respected in the community, and doesn't like dogs. He slowly becomes fond of Belle and Poochie after they help Sarah to get well with her sickness.
Robert and Maria
Robert and Maria are servants at the home of Mr. Albert. Robert is the butler and sometimes chauffeur, while Maria is the housekeeper.
The Carlos Company
The Carlos Company is a band of gypsies whom Sebastian's mother, Isabel, is traveling with.
Hernandez and Fernandez
Hernandez and Fernandez are a reoccurring duo of crooks that are trying to capture Belle for a quick rise to fame, fortune, and popularity.
Oscar and Johnny
Oscar is a traveling performer that uses his feats of strength by breaking chains wrapped around his body. Johnny is Oscar's son and also is a performer, but not in strength. His ability is that of balance and agility.
Inspector Garcia
Inspector Garcia is an officer of the Spanish Police and is always hot on the trail of Belle and Sebastian. He is heavy-set and has a thin mustache.
Officer Martin
Officer Martin is the Inspector's assistant and a very clumsy man.
Commander Costello
Costello is the head of the Spanish Border Guards and has a strong resemblance to Fidel Castro.
