is a Japanese anime series by Toei Animation. The story is loosely based on the 1837 Hans Christian Andersen tale "The Little Mermaid". It was broadcast from 1970 to 1971 on Nippon Educational TV (NET), later rebranded as TV Asahi.
Mako-chan has been dubbed in Italian, French, Spanish and Korean.
Plot
Mako is a young mermaid princess who longs for the forbidden human world. One night, she disobeys her father and visits the surface, where she falls in love with a handsome man aboard on a cruise ship. When an underwater earthquake causes the ship to sink, Mako rescues the man and brings him to shore. After visiting the sea witch, Mako transforms into a human girl and begins her new life in Yokohama.
Main characters
The 15-year-old daughter of the Dragon King who yearns for the human world. After becoming a human, she is adopted by an old man named Urashima and attends Karatachi Academy in Yokohama. Mako's parents gift her with a magical pendant called the "Life of a Mermaid." She wants to be with Akira.
The Italian dub changes her name to "Ginny Masten."
The Dragon King himself and heâÂÂs also MakoâÂÂs father. He is able to assume a human form and appear on Earth so he can help Mako. He often lets his daughter do her own things but is stern, particularly with Mako's use of her magical pendant and the etiquette she should follow. Later on in the series, he is reprimanded by God for allowing Mako to live in the human realm.
Mako's mother. She also contemplated becoming human when she was Mako's age.
MakoâÂÂs grandmother (aka the sea hag) who tells Mako on how to become a human.
Unlike Mako, most of them are content with their lives under the sea. One of her sisters explores the surface and is captured by a young man.
The old zoologist who found an unconscious Mako on the beach. He eventually takes her in as his adoptive granddaughter. While very stern, he cares deeply for Mako. His real daughter died at sea many years ago. His surname likely comes from Urashima TarÃ
Â.
The Italian dub changes his name to "Savio Masten."
The young man Mako saved from a shipwreck. Akira is a drifter who does odd jobs, so he and Mako do not cross paths very often. He is waiting to meet the person who saved him that fateful night. In the original series proposal, his name was "Shinichi," which was used for the Spanish dub. He is modeled after Ken Takakura.
The Italian dub changes his name to "Alex."
Jiro's identical twin brother, Taro is the more realist of the two.
The Italian dub changes his name to "Ghiri."
The other twin who lives next door to Mako and Mr. Urashima.
The Italian dub changes his name to "Goro."
Mako's classmate, she becomes her closest friend there. Haruko loves jewelry.
The Italian dub changes her name to "Camilla."
The gang leader of Karatachi Academy. He is in love with Mako. His real surname is Matsubashi.
The Italian dub changes his name to "Tozzetto."
Bancho's friend and lieutenant.
The Italian dub changes his name to "Grissino."
The rich girl at school. Her mother is president of Karatachi's PTA, hence her arrogance. Tomiko falls in love with Akira, which sparks a rivalry with Mako. Although she initially hates Mako and torments her, they eventually become friendly.
The Italian dub changes her name to "Vanilla Thomas."
Principal
Principal of Karatachi Academy. She is strict with the students, especially Mako, and often ingratiates herself to Mrs. Tomita in order to keep her donations to the school flowing.
Mako's homeroom teacher. Unlike the principal, he does not submit to Mrs. Tomita's demands.
The Italian dub changes his name to "Mr. Pizzetti."
Tomiko's mother. Head of Karatachi's PTA. Abuses her wealth to control the school.
Taro and Jiro's mother. Raises and educates her sons in a very strict manner.
Taro and Jiro's subdued father.
Supporting Characters
A little girl who befriends Akira on the Fukuyonmaru/Sea Paradise ship. She is later called "Naomi" and "Ayumi." In the Spanish dub she is called "Kaoru" and "Midori." Appears in episodes 1 and 6. The Italian dub changes her name to "Gloria."
A wealthy hotel manager whom Akira had saved during the shipwreck. He later employs Akira to help his daughter, Kaoru. Appears in episodes 1 and 6.
Two con artists who pretend to be Mako's parents. Appear in episode 2.
A black man who is falsely accused of a crime. Mako tries to restore his faith and urges him to clear his name. Appears in episode 11.
Two young men who take a liking to Mako, much to her father's chagrin. Appear in episode 13.
The principal's daughter, who was studying in Paris. When Yuriko returns to Japan, she proposes uniforms for Karatachi Academy. Appears in episode 16. The Italian dub changes her name to "Ylenia."
A top baseball player at Karatachi Academy who is terminally ill. He has a secret girlfriend named "Yukiko." Appears in episode 17. The Italian dub changes his name to "Kenny."
Mako's classmate who befriends Urashima's pet monkey. Miyuki stops going to school and joins a biker gang after her parents abandon her. Appears in episode 19. The Italian dub changes her name to "Marian."
Taro and Jiro's aunt. She wants to be a flight attendant. Appears in episode 20. The Italian dub changes her name to "Levisa."
A young woman who looks exactly like Mako. She has an arranged marriage but she only wants to marry the man who saved her little sister's life. Appears in episode 23. The Italian dub changes her name to "Vinny."
Prince of Escalia. He falls in love with Mako. Appears in episode 26.
A young woman who rescues people from drowning to gain fame. Appears in episode 41.
She wants to meet the ghost of her mother, who died a year earlier. Appears in episode 43. The Italian dub changes her name to "Suzy."
A creepy boy who transfers into Mako's class. He hypnotizes her classmates and lures them to a bombing testing site. Funakichi is revealed to be a kappa who wants to get revenge on mankind for how they've mistreated his people. Eventually he realizes the error of his ways and saves Mako's friends. His people go out in the world, deciding to believe in humanity. Appears in episodes 46 and 47. The Italian dub changes his name to "Gregory" and he is a goblin rather than a kappa.
Music
The scores and lyrics for MahÃ
 no Mako-chan were created by Takeo Watanabe and performed by Horie Mitsuko. Some of the score was reused in later Toei series, including Majokko Megu-chan and Genshi Shonen Ryu.
Theme songs
Opening theme
"MahÃ
 no Mako-chan" (Magical Mako) by Horie Mitsuko
Ending theme
"BOKU wa MAKO ni tsuite yuku" (I Follow Mako Around) by Horie Mitsuko
Episode list
International titles
References
External links