Marine Boy is one of the first color anime to be shown in a dubbed form in the U.S., and later in Australia and the United Kingdom. It was originally produced in 1965 in Japan as by Minoru Adachi and animation company Japan Tele-Cartoons. It was sold outside Japan via K. Fujita Associates Inc., with Warner Bros.-Seven Arts Television handling worldwide distribution of the English-language version. The series was distributed in syndication in the United States starting in 1966.
The series follows a gifted boy serving with the Ocean Patrol, an underwater policing agency protecting EarthâÂÂs oceans. Set in a future where humanity has fully explored the seas, they host undersea ranches, mineral operations, research centres, and underwater communities.
The Ocean Patrol is a global maritime agency defending all life beneath the waves. It combats criminal and military threats, using submarines, surface warships, and aircraft. Its scientific division, led by Dr Mariner and Professor Fumble, develops advanced weapons, vehicles, and technologies, while its cvil divisions manage undersea farming, research, and industry.
The series centres on the patrol craft P-1, a compact submarine capable of brief flight via retractable wings. P-1 is heavily armed with âÂÂrocket torpedoesâ and can mount heat beams, missiles, smoke screens, circular saws, sonic cannon, steel nets, power claws, drills, and lasers.
Marine Boy, aged 13âÂÂ15, is skilled in martial arts, who can communicate with a white dolphin, Splasher, summoned via a whistle in his ring. His wetsuit, designed by Dr Mariner and Professor Fumble, allows hazardous missions, resisting penetration and extreme temperatures. His boots contain propeller packs, retractable flippers, and his helmet has a radio. He breathes using âÂÂoxy-gum,â and his main weapon is a folding alloy boomerang capable of cutting metal and deflecting bullets.
Terebi Dà Âga, also known as Japan Tele-Cartoons (JTC), produced a three-episode black-and-white pilot titled Dolphin Prince (ãÂÂã«ãÂÂã£ã³çÂÂÃ¥ÂÂ, Dorufin à Âji), which was broadcast on Fuji TV from April 4 to April 18 1965. The pilot was developed into a colour series, Hang On! Marine Kid (ãÂÂãÂÂã°ãÂÂ!ãÂÂãªã³ãÂÂãÂÂãÂÂ, Ganbare! Marin Kiddo), which aired on TBS from October 6 to December 29 1966, running for thirteen episodes before being cancelled.
Undersea Boy Marine (æµ·åºÂå°Âå¹´ãÂÂãªã³, Kaitei Shà Ânen Marin) aired on Fuji TV from January 13 to July 22 1969, after which the remaining episodes were broadcast from October 13, 1969 to July 27, 1970, for a total of 78 episodes.
The international version, titled Marine Boy, was dubbed into English and syndicated in the United States by Warner Bros.-Seven Arts Television from late 1967, reorganising the episodes for the English-speaking market.
The teenage protagonist, an exceptionally skilled swimmer, diver and martial artist who serves in the Ocean Patrol. His equipment, developed by his father, includes a red wetsuit with retractable flippers, jet boots and a radio headpiece, enabling underwater travel, rescue and combat.
Marine BoyâÂÂs father and the Ocean PatrolâÂÂs chief scientist. He designs the specialised equipment Marine Boy uses, provides mission briefings and serves as the organisationâÂÂs principal technical authority.
The strict but fair head of the Ocean Patrol. He enforces discipline and procedure, yet occasionally reveals warmth and pride in Marine BoyâÂÂs courage and resourcefulness.
A young mermaid ally who assists Marine Boy using her magic pearl and by communicating with sea creatures.
Marine BoyâÂÂs loyal white dolphin companion, central to many rescue sequences and missions.
An eccentric inventor whose devices alternately aid and complicate Ocean Patrol operations.
Crew of the P-1 patrol boat, providing operational support, local knowledge and occasional comic relief.
A boy from an ancient underwater kingdom, cheerful and inquisitive he assists Marine Boy in several episodes.
Villains generally only appeared in one episode before being defeated. These adversaries include undersea pirates, rogue scientists, monstrous sea creatures, and power-hungry warlords, each posing a threat to Ocean Patrol. Unlike recurring villains in later animated series, most foes are eliminated or neutralised by the episodeâÂÂs conclusion, seldom returning or being mentioned again. This format created self-contained adventures in which good consistently triumphed, maintaining the showâÂÂs moral tone and action-driven narrative.
The voice of Marine Boy, Neptina and Clicli was that of Corinne Orr, who was also the voice of Trixie and Spritle in Speed Racer. Jack Grimes, who also worked on Speed Racer, was the voice of Professor Fumble and Splasher. Peter Fernandez was the voice of Piper and Dr. Mariner. His other work includes The Space Giants, Ultraman, Star Blazers, many of the Godzilla films, as well as both Speed and Racer X from Speed Racer. Jack Curtis was the voice of Bullton, as well as the series' narrator (performing the same duties on Speed Racer).
Warner Bros.' 2009 syndication order
The series has been restored and remastered from original elements for DVD release by the Warner Archive Collection. Season 1 was released on June 18, 2013, followed by Season 2 on February 11, 2014. Season 3 was released on July 2, 2014.