Jim the old guy still here?

Fred Buer wrote:Did you know that the first animated cartoon Moomins show was actually done up by Studio Ghibli? Before they took the name, mind you. Look it up.

Oh, I'd heard about that series, didn't know Hayao Miyazaki worked on it though. Though from what I understand the author felt opposed to things like the personality of Moomin changing to that of a naughty boy who got into fights and acted sly etc.

Tove Jansson did not approve of the changes made to the first anime adaptation of The Moomins (1969), feeling that it strongly misinterpreted her work and intentions for the characters. The series was soon discontinued, and Jansson refused for it to be licensed overseas. This adaptation has also never made it to DVD, due to the fact that two different studios worked on it, as well as not being able to obtain permission from Jansson's estate.

But anyway Studio Ghibli is awesome. Got most of their films on DVD and looking forward to playing Ni no Kuni.

They're not the first to create a Moomin show, though. That accomplishment belongs to the Germans, actually. Or rather, to be precise - the West Germans, as they were called back then.

Yeah it's surprising how many different series there are (Wikipedia lists about 14 ). It seems the most famous ones outside the country of origin is the Polish fuzzy felt puppet series and the 90s one (a joint-production between Japanese, Finnish and Dutch studios).

Also, the Hattifatteners are pretty creepy. So is the Lady of the Cold.
In a good way, mind. The kind of creepy kids find enthralling and exciting without it being downright scary.

Yeah I loved The Moomins for that kind of creativity that didn't dumb itself down for kids. Probably why I also really liked Don Bluth's early animated films. I also think its good because most of the villains and "scary" things are often revealed to be misunderstood with another side to them or just doing things in their nature without true malicious intent. I remember the little creatures that lived in the shadows that Moomin finds one episode, haven't watched it in ages but I think he gets scared of the glimpses he gets of them in the dark, but out of curiosity eventually finds out they are harmless (think they were the "shrews" that live in the bathing house etc.).

Except for the Groke. Chuck Norris lights fires at night to keep the Groke away.

But... fire attracts The Groke She came out to sit on the fire that the Moomins started because she wanted to get warm (but she is too icy for anything to warm her and relieve the freezing cold, poor thing).