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Kiteretsu Daihyakka
Kiteretsu Daihyakka
Kiteretsu Daihyakka
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Kiteretsu Daihyakka
Volume 1 of the Kiteretsu Daihyakka manga
キテレツ大百科
Manga
Written byFujiko Fujio (Fujimoto alone)[a]
Published byFamily Light Association (Magazine)
Shogakukan (Volumes)
ImprintTentōmushi Comics
MagazineKodomo no Hikari
Original runApril 1974 – July 1977
Volumes3
Anime television film
Fujiko Fujio's Kiteretsu Daihyakka
Directed byTakashi Watanabe
Music byKatsunori Ichida [ja]
StudioStudio Gallop
Original networkFNS (Fuji TV)
ReleasedNovember 2, 1987
Anime television series
Directed byHiro Katsuoka
Keiji Hayakawa
Produced by
  • Kenji Shimizu (Fuji TV)
  • Minoru Wada (Fuji TV)
  • Yoshihiro Suzuki (Fuji TV)
  • Yoshio Kataoka (Asatsu)
  • Kazuhiko Ishikawa (Asatsu)
  • Tateshi Yamazaki (Asatsu)
  • Yutaka Sugiyama (Asatsu)
  • Akio Wakana (Gallop)
  • Tetsuo Kanno (Staff 21)
Written by
Music byShunsuke Kikuchi
StudioStudio Gallop
Original networkFNS (Fuji TV)
English network
Original run March 27, 1988 – June 9, 1996
Episodes331 (List of episodes)
Manga
Shin Kiteretsu Daihyakka
Written byFujiko F. Fujio [ja]
Illustrated byMichiaki Tanaka
Published byShogakukan
ImprintTentōmushi Comics
MagazineCoroCoro Comic
Original runMay 1988 – February 1994
Volumes6
Video games
  • Kiteretsu Daihyakka (1990)
  • Kiteretsu Daihyakka: Bouken Ouedo Juraki (1994)
  • Kiteretsu Daihyakka: Chōjikū Sugoroku (1995)

Kiteretsu Daihyakka (キテレツ大百科; "Kiteretsu Large Encyclopedia"; commonly shortened to Kiteretsu) is a Japanese manga series by Fujiko F. Fujio [ja],[b] which ran in the children's magazine Kodomo no Hikari from April 1974 to July 1977. The manga was later made into an animated anthology television special which aired in 1987 on Fuji Television and its affiliates and a 331-episode anime television series that ran on the same channel from March 27, 1988, to June 9, 1996.

Plot

[edit]

The series is the story of a scientific inventor boy genius named Eiichi Kite, a descendant of an inventor named Kiteretsu Saisama, who has built a companion robot named Korosuke. His friends are Miyoko, a girl in his neighborhood who has a crush on him, Buta Gorira (Kumada Kaoru), a local bully, and Tongari, a rich boy. They all attend the same school and are in the same grade. Eiichi goes on frequent adventures with his friends and Korosuke in the time machine which he built.

Characters

[edit]
Drawings of Eiichi Kite and friends used on buses to and from the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum
Eiichi Kite (木手英一, Kite Eiichi) (a.k.a., Kiteretsu (キテレツ))
An 11-year-old 5th grader who lives in Tokyo. He is the city’s one of the smartest kids who’s also an excellent genius student and is quite the smarty pants, has a strong mechanical and inventive aptitude, but the only thing he is weak at is sports. He can repair normal machines and invent variations of the Daihyakka gadgets. Voiced by: Toshiko Fujita.
Korosuke (コロ助)
Kiteretsu's lazy robot assistant who usually ends his sentences with nari (ナリ). He usually wears an artificial samurai sword. He is an invention in the encyclopedia. He was made by Kiteretsu himself. Voiced by: Mami Koyama and later by Kazuko Sugiyama.
Miyoko Nonohana (野々花みよ子, Nonoha Miyoko) (a.k.a., Miyo-chan (みよちゃん)))
A very intelligent girl who is one of Kiteretsu's best friends, and Kiteretsu's love interest. She is shown to be Kiteretsu's future wife in several time-travel episodes. She resembles Michiko Sawada from Perman. Voiced by: Yuriko Yamamoto, followed by Mayumi Shō and Chieko Honda.
Kaoru Kumada (熊田薫, Kumada Kaoru) (a.k.a., Butagorira (ブタゴリラ))
One of Kiteretsu's friends who is the son of a green grocer who loves vegetables. He is a typical bully, but is mostly comic relief. Voiced by: Hiroshi Ōtake and later by Naoki Tatsuta.
Kōji Tongari (尖浩二, Tongari Kōji) (a.k.a., Tongari (トンガリ))
A rich boy and one of Kiteretsu's friends. He is easily frightened, and a best friend of Butagorira, though is quite often bullied by him. Voiced by: Ryū Manatsu and later by Yūji Mitsuya.
Benzō Karino
A friend and mentor of Kiteretsu and his friends, as well as a university student. He owns a car. Voiced by: Kaneta Kimotsuki.
Kiterestu Saisama
Kiterestu Saisama is the great grand father of Eiatro Kite and the great great grandfather of Eichii Kite. In Eiichi Kite's dreams he mostly speaks to him. An ancestor respected by Eiichi Kite and an inventor of the Edo period.Voiced by: Adult Katsuji Mori and Child by Daisuke Sakaguchi.
Michiko Kite (木手美智子 Kite Michiko)
Kiteretsu's mother. Voiced by: Yuri Nashiwa and later by Sumi Shimamoto.
Eitarō Kite
Kiteretsu's father. Voiced by: Hideyuki Tanaka and later by Yusaku Yara.
Kumahachi Kumada
Butagorira's father.He owns a vegetable shop Voiced by: Takeshi Aono.
Sayuri Kumada
Butagorira's mother. Voiced by: Noriko Uemura.
Kōichi Tongari
Tongari's father. Voiced by: Sanshirō Niita, followed by Hirohiko Kakegawa and Masato Hirano.
Takako Tongari
Tongari's mother. Voiced by: Yuka Ōno.

Media

[edit]

Manga

[edit]
  • Kiteretsu Daihyakka vol. 1–3 (Tentōmushi Comics, Shogakukan, 1977)
  • Kiteretsu Daihyakka vol. 1–4 (Fujiko F. Fujio Land, Chūō Kōron Shinsha, 1984)
  • Kiteretsu Daihyakka vol. 1–2 (Shogakukan Koro r Bunko, Shogakukan, 1984)
  • My First BIG Kiteretsu vol. 1–2 (Shogakukan, 2003)

Anime

[edit]

The manga was later adapted into an anime series, which aired on Fuji TV between March 27, 1988, and June 9, 1996.

Staff

[edit]
  • Planning: Taihei Ishikawa→Kenji Shimizu (Fuji TV), Yoshirō Kataoka (Asatsu)
  • Producers:
    • Kenji Shimizu→Minoru Wada→Yoshihiro Suzuki (Fuji TV)
    • Yoshio Kataoka→Kazuhiko Ishikawa→Tateshi Yamazaki→Yutaka Sugiyama (Asatsu)
    • Akio Wakana (Gallop)
    • Tetsuo Kanno (Staff 21)
  • Script: Shun'ichi Yukimuro, Takashi Yamada, Toshiyuki Aoshima, Satoshi Namiki, Tadaaki Yamazaki
  • General Animation Directors: Tsukasa Tannai, Kazuyuki Kobayashi, Hajime Watanabe, Nobuyuki Tokinaga, Shōjurō Yamauchi
  • Art director: Shichirō Kobayashi→Satoshi Shibata
  • Backgrounds: Kobayashi Production, Studio Kanon
  • Director of photography: Shigeo Sugimura (credited as Yasuhiro Shimizu for part of it)→Hiroaki Edamitsu
  • Music director: Nobuhiro Komatsu
  • Music: Shunsuke Kikuchi
  • Director: Hiro Katsuoka→Keiji Hayakawa
  • Executive Producer: Mikio Wakana
  • Sound Producer: Yōsuke Kuroda

Theme songs

[edit]
Opening theme songs
[edit]

Listing includes the song title followed by the episodes and the singer in parentheses.

  • Kiteretsu Daihyakka no Uta (キテレツ大百科のうた "The Song of Kiterestu Encyclopedia") (90-minute special on November 2, 1987, Mitsuko Horie)
  1. Oyome-san ni Natte Agenaizo (お嫁さんになってあげないゾ "I won't be your bride") (ep. 1–24, Kaori Moritani)
  2. Body dake Lady (ボディーだけレディー "Only a body is a lady") (ep. 25–60, Junko Uchida)
  3. Yumemiru Jikan (夢みる時間 "Dreaming time") (ep. 61–86, Megumi Mori)
  4. Hajimete no Chū (はじめてのチュウ "My first kiss") (ep. 87–108, Anshin Papa)
  5. Suimin Busoku (スイミン不足 "Lack of sleep") (ep. 109–170, Chicks)
  6. Oryōri Kōshinkyoku (お料理行進曲 "Cooking march") (ep. 171–331, Yuka)
Ending theme songs
[edit]

Listing includes the song title followed by the episodes and the singer in parentheses.

  • Korosuke Machi wo Yuku (コロ助まちをゆく) (90-minute special, Kyōko Yamada)
  1. Magical Boy Magical Heart (マジカルBoyマジカルHeart) (ep. 1–16, Kaori Moritani)
  2. Lace no Cardigan (レースのカーディガン) (ep. 17–24, Kaori Sakagami)
  3. Korosuke Rock (コロ助ROCK) (ep. 25–60, Junko Uchida)
  4. Felt no Pencase (フェルトのペンケース) (ep. 61–86, Megumi Mori)
  5. Merry ha tada no Tomodachi (メリーはただのトモダチ) (ep. 87–108, Toshiko Fujita)
  6. Hajimete no Chū (はじめてのチュウ) (ep. 109–170, 213–290, 311–331, Anshin Papa)
  7. Happy Birthday (ep. 171–212, Yuka)
  8. Uwasa Kiss (うわさのキッス) (ep. 291–310, TOKIO)

International broadcast

[edit]

In Spain, The series was licensed for Spain by LUK Internacional under the title of "Kiteretsu, el primo más listo de Nobita" (English translation: Kiteretsu, Nobita's Smarter Cousin).[1]

Games

[edit]
  • On February 23, 1990, Epoch released an action game for the Famicom.
  • On July 15, 1994, another action game, Kiteretsu Daihyakka: Bouken Ouedo Juraki, was released by Video System for the Game Boy.
  • A board game titled Kiteretsu Daihyakka: Chōjikū Sugoroku was released on January 27, 1995, by Video System for the Super Famicom.
  • Another game was made for the Sega Pico.[citation needed]

Television drama

[edit]

A 1 hour-15 minute one-shot live action drama adaptation aired on NHK Educational TV on January 1, 2002. The adaptation featured a CGI Korosuke voiced by Mami Koyama.[2]

Reception

[edit]

The anime was ranked 31st on a list published by TV Asahi in 2005 of the top 100 anime.[3] The series was said to be "little more than a respray of the creators' earlier and far more successful Doraemon".[4] The Review Geek indeed noted that, "In some instances, Kiteretsu Encyclopedia feels like a Doraemon clone. This series not only shares the same creator as Doraemon; it follows a similar episodic premise involving a robot and a human. This show includes a cartoon-like art style and is an enjoyable series to watch when you feel stressed or worn out".[5]

The same media wrote that the series "relie[d] on its charming family dynamics and varied humor to keep the audience entertained".[6]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kiteretsu Daihyakka

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Kiteretsu Daihyakka (キテレツ大百科, Kiteretsu ) is a manga series written and illustrated by Fujiko F. Fujio. Serialized in the children's Kodomo no Hikari from April 1974 to July 1977, the series comprises 3 volumes and centers on the inventive escapades of a young genius. The story revolves around Eiichi "Kiteretsu" Kite, a 10-year-old elementary school boy and descendant of the renowned inventor D. Kiteretsu, who constructs a robotic companion named Korosuke from plans in an ancient encyclopedia. Together with his friends, including the girl-next-door Miyoko Nonohana and the boisterous Kumada Kaoru (nicknamed Buta ), Kiteretsu uses his gadgets for everyday adventures, often involving and humorous mishaps. The manga was adapted into a long-running anime television series produced by Gallop studio, which broadcast 331 episodes on Fuji TV from March 27, 1988, to June 9, 1996, airing Sundays at 7:00 p.m. JST. This adaptation, directed by a team including Keiji Hayakawa and others, faithfully captured the manga's whimsical tone and emphasis on scientific creativity, featuring opening themes like "Oyome-san ni Natte Agenaizo" performed by Kaori Moritani. The series also spawned a 1987 TV special titled Fujiko Fujio no Kiteretsu Daihyakka and various video games for platforms like the Famicom and PlayStation. Created by Fujiko F. Fujio— the pen name of Fujimoto following his split from longtime collaborator Motoo Abiko under the shared Fujiko Fujio moniker—Kiteretsu Daihyakka shares stylistic and thematic similarities with Fujimoto's iconic , including child protagonists aided by robotic friends and futuristic inventions solving modern problems. While Doraemon focuses on a robot from the future, Kiteretsu Daihyakka highlights human ingenuity through homemade gadgets, appealing to young audiences with its blend of comedy, drama, and educational elements on and . The franchise gained popularity in and select Asian markets, contributing to Fujiko F. Fujio's legacy of over 50 titles that have sold millions and influenced generations of children's media.

Premise and Characters

Plot

Eiichi "Kiteretsu" Kite is a 10-year-old elementary school student in and a prodigious inventor who relies on his family's heirloom, the Kiteretsu Daihyakka encyclopedia, compiled by his ancestor D. Kiteretsu, to design and build innovative gadgets. This comprehensive guide serves as the core inspiration for his creations, enabling him to construct everything from household helpers to extraordinary devices that drive the series' adventures. A pivotal element in the narrative is Kiteretsu's construction of a time machine, which facilitates excursions across historical periods alongside his companions, blending with educational glimpses into the past. Episodes generally follow a formula where one of Kiteretsu's inventions sparks unintended chaos or comedic mishaps, such as malfunctioning robots or temporal paradoxes, which are ultimately rectified through collaborative problem-solving with his friends, underscoring themes of ingenuity, the value of friendship, and the potential pitfalls of unchecked technological experimentation. In these plots, the Korosuke, built by Kiteretsu from blueprints, injects conflict through his impulsive and prankish behavior, often exacerbating situations before they are contained. Miyoko Nonohara acts as the pragmatic voice of reason, tempering the group's enthusiasm and guiding resolutions with her intelligence. Buta Gorilla, a burly bully who evolves into a reluctant ally, contributes physical strength during crises, while Kōji Tongari supplies humorous interludes with his awkward, know-it-all antics.

Characters

Eiichi Kite, commonly known as Kiteretsu, is the protagonist of Kiteretsu Daihyakka, a 10-year-old fifth-grade boy and scientific who spends his time recreating inventions from his family's ancient , the Kiteretsu Daihyakka, passed down from his and grandfather, the renowned inventor D. Kiteretsu (Kiteretsu Saisama). Serious and studious, Kiteretsu serves as the group's leader, relying on his ingenuity to solve problems and embark on time-travel adventures with his friends. Kiteretsu's most loyal companion is Korosuke, a custom-built modeled after a , whom he constructs as his first major invention using instructions from the . Despite his strong, durable frame and helpful nature, Korosuke is impulsive and gluttonous, frequently causing chaos through his insatiable appetite for food and tendency to act without thinking, which often leads to comedic mishaps during their escapades. Their bond resembles that of siblings, with Korosuke providing unwavering support to Kiteretsu amid the group's dynamics. Miyoko Nonohara, Kiteretsu's classmate and unspoken crush, is a kind-hearted and practical girl who acts as the emotional anchor of the group. She frequently intervenes to resolve conflicts arising from Kiteretsu's inventions, offering sensible advice and demonstrating quiet affection toward him through subtle romantic hints, such as shared moments of understanding during crises. Kaoru Kumada, nicknamed Buta Gorilla, starts as the neighborhood bully who torments Kiteretsu and Korosuke due to his brute strength and dim-witted nature but gradually integrates into the friend circle, participating in their adventures with a gruff . As the self-appointed leader of the local kids, he often clashes with Korosuke yet shows underlying group solidarity against bigger threats. Kōji Tongari, a wealthy, bespectacled boy in Kiteretsu's class also known as Tongari, contributes gadgets from his family's resources while providing through his clumsiness and timid demeanor. Though he is Buta Gorilla's subordinate and frequent target of , Tongari's resourcefulness strengthens the group's bonds during collaborative efforts. Kiteretsu's family plays a supportive yet grounding role in his inventive pursuits: his , Michiko Kite, is a strict homemaker who manages the household with discipline; his father, Eitarō Kite, is a traveling salesman often absent but encouraging of his son's talents. These relationships highlight themes of familial heritage and everyday stability contrasting Kiteretsu's extraordinary endeavors.

Original Manga

Publication History

Kiteretsu Daihyakka was serialized in the children's magazine Kodomo no Hikari from April 1974 to July 1977, written and illustrated by Fujiko F. Fujio, the solo pen name of Fujimoto following his 1969 split from the original Fujiko Fujio duo with Motoo Abiko. The series, aimed at young readers, featured short stories centered on scientific inventions and everyday adventures, reflecting Fujimoto's post-split focus on themes distinct from his collaborative works. The manga was compiled into three tankōbon volumes published by Shogakukan in 1977 as part of the Tentōmushi Comics imprint, marking the initial bound edition of the complete run. These volumes captured the essence of the serialized chapters, emphasizing self-contained narratives about the protagonist's ingenuity in recreating gadgets from an ancient encyclopedia, without the expansive continuity seen in later adaptations. Fujimoto drew inspiration for the invention-focused plots from his broader fascination with science fiction, building on the gadget-centric storytelling of Doraemon but centering on a single boy's resourcefulness rather than a robotic companion's arsenal. Unlike the anime version, which introduced more interconnected plots and time-travel motifs, the original manga prioritized standalone episodes highlighting creative problem-solving. The work received later recognition through reprints, including inclusion in Fujiko F. Fujio's complete collected editions by Shogakukan in 2009, ensuring its availability in modern formats.

Shin Kiteretsu Daihyakka

Shin Kiteretsu Daihyakka is a sequel manga to the original Kiteretsu Daihyakka, serving as a remake that expands upon the foundational stories of the young inventor Kiteretsu and his robot companion Korosuke. Serialized in Monthly CoroCoro Comic from May 1988 to February 1994, the series was written by Fujiko F. Fujio with artwork provided by Michiaki Tanaka, and compiled into six tankōbon volumes published by Shogakukan under the Tento Mushi Comics imprint. This publication run coincided with the premiere of the anime adaptation, allowing the manga to incorporate updated character traits and narrative elements that aligned with the televised version, such as Korosuke's affinity for croquettes, under Fujiko F. Fujio's supervisory oversight. The content evolves from the original manga's focus on everyday inventions by building in more adventurous arcs, including time-travel escapades enabled by Kiteretsu's gadgets, which introduce new contraptions like enhanced robots and historical exploration devices. These additions provide deeper development for supporting characters, such as Buta Gorilla, emphasizing their roles in collaborative mishaps and resolutions. Tanaka's artistic style was chosen to harmonize with the anime's visual aesthetic, ensuring consistency in character designs and dynamic action sequences post the 1988 anime launch. This collaborative approach extended select original tales while weaving in fresh plots to sustain reader engagement across media. Within the manga landscape, was positioned to bridge fans of the original serialization—detailed in the publication history—with those discovering the franchise via the , by expanding the original stories with thematic elements aligned to the without fully diverging from core invention-based humor. Its reception highlighted this dual appeal, praised for revitalizing the series' whimsical for a new generation of young readers through accessible, gag-filled stories. The volumes remain available primarily through second-hand markets and collector sites, with ongoing interest evidenced by reprint petitions as of 2025, though not yet integrated into major digital Fujiko anthologies that focus on the primary works.

Anime Adaptation

Production and Staff

The anime adaptation of Kiteretsu Daihyakka began with a television special titled Fujiko Fujio no Kiteretsu Daihyakka, which premiered on Fuji Television on November 2, 1987. The full series followed, airing from March 27, 1988, to June 9, 1996, in the Sunday 19:00 JST time slot, with a total of 331 episodes produced by Studio Gallop. This long run was designed to adapt the original manga by Fujiko F. Fujio, capitalizing on the established formula of inventive gadgets and youthful adventures seen in the creator's earlier work, Doraemon. Direction of the series was handled by Hiroshi Kuzuoka for episodes 1–43, with Keiji Hayakawa taking over for episodes 44–331, ensuring a consistent anthology-style format where each episode typically featured self-contained stories centered on Kiteretsu's inventions. Series composition and scripting were primarily overseen by Shunichi Yukimuro, who contributed to all 331 episodes, alongside additional writers such as Takashi Yamada (30 episodes) and Toshiyuki Aoshima (14 episodes), tailoring narratives to fit the standard 20-minute episode length while emphasizing educational elements on and . Character designs were developed by a team including Hajime Watanabe, Kazuyuki Kobayashi, and Tsukasa Tannai, adapting Fujiko F. Fujio's original illustrations to suit the animated medium's expressive needs. Art direction was led by Shichirō Kobayashi and Satoshi Shibata, contributing to the series' vibrant, gadget-filled visual style. The music was composed by Nobuhiro Komatsu, who served as music director and provided scores that complemented the whimsical and adventurous tone of the episodes. Key voice actors included as the protagonist Eiichi "Kiteretsu" Kite, as Korosuke for episodes 1–86 (with Kazuko Sugiyama replacing her from episode 87 onward), and Chieko Honda as Miyoko Nonohana, bringing distinct personalities to the core cast through their . Production evolved over its eight-year run, with shifts in animation quality attributed to standard industry changes in staffing and techniques at Studio Gallop, though the series maintained its focus on weekly, invention-driven arcs without major format alterations.

Episode Structure and Themes

The adaptation of Kiteretsu Daihyakka features 331 episodes, each designed as a self-contained typically lasting around 25 minutes, often structured to fit within a half-hour broadcast slot and focusing on Kiteretsu's attempts that lead to chaotic mishaps resolved through clever fixes or via his time machine. These episodes emphasize episodic storytelling, with rare multi-part arcs for special events, allowing for standalone adventures that highlight the protagonist's ingenuity while maintaining accessibility for young audiences. As of 2025, episodes continue to air in reruns internationally, including on in . Central to the series are recurring themes of scientific curiosity versus ethical responsibility, as Kiteretsu's gadgets—drawn from his ancestor's encyclopedia—frequently backfire, underscoring the consequences of unchecked innovation and the importance of thoughtful application. emerges as another key motif, with Kiteretsu, Korosuke, Miyoko, Buta Gorilla, and Tongari collaborating to navigate troubles, transforming potential rivalries like bullying into bonds of mutual support and growth. episodes using provide educational glimpses into historical events, blending adventure with lessons on culture and invention's historical context, often paralleling real-world scientific principles to inspire viewers. Compared to the original , the expands the invention-focused plots by amplifying humor through slapstick comedy and Korosuke's bumbling antics, which drive much of the and character interactions, while introducing subtle serialized elements like evolving friendships over the long run. This format fosters an educational undertone, using fictional gadgets to mirror actual scientific concepts without delving into complex details, encouraging curiosity about technology and history. For a full episode guide, refer to comprehensive listings available on databases.

Music

The anime adaptation of Kiteretsu Daihyakka utilized a series of opening themes that rotated five times over its run, with lyrics that frequently emphasized themes of adventure, ingenuity, and the protagonist's inventive pursuits, such as crafting gadgets and embarking on unexpected escapades. The inaugural opening, "Oyome-san ni Natte Agenaizo" (performed by Kaori Moritani for episodes 1–24), introduced a lighthearted narrative of youthful romance intertwined with Kiteretsu's gadget-filled daily life, setting an energetic tone for the series' blend of humor and creativity. Subsequent rotations included "Body dake Lady" by Junko Uchida (episodes 25–60), which highlighted playful body-swap antics reflective of the show's invention-driven plots; "Yumemiru Jikan" by Megumi Mori (episodes 61–86), evoking dreamy explorations of futuristic ideas; "Hajimete no Chuu" by Anshin Papa (episodes 87–165), capturing first-kiss innocence amid comedic mishaps; and "Suimin Busoku" by CHICKS (episodes 166–331), underscoring the exhaustion from relentless tinkering and adventures. A sixth theme, "Oryouri Koushinkyoku" by YUKA, briefly appeared in later episodes to align with evolving story arcs focused on culinary inventions. Ending themes were equally varied, with multiple iterations performed by solo artists and idol groups to provide reflective closers that reinforced the episode's whimsical resolutions. Early endings included "Magical Boy Magical Heart" by Kaori Moritani (episodes 1–16), a magical tune tying into Korosuke's mischievous antics, and "Lace no Cardigan" by Kaori Sakagami (episodes 17–24), evoking cozy, heartfelt moments post-invention chaos. Later themes featured "Merry wa Tada no Tomodachi" by Toshiko Fujita (episodes 61–86), emphasizing friendship amid the series' ensemble dynamics, and additional endings such as "Happy Birthday" by YUKA (episodes 171–212) and "Uwasa Kiss" by TOKIO (episodes 291–310), providing uplifting conclusions to the inventive escapades. These endings often incorporated softer melodies to contrast the openings' vigor, fostering a sense of closure after each inventive escapade. The incidental music was primarily composed by , a veteran renowned for his dynamic scores in children's programming, who crafted upbeat electronic motifs to underscore sequences and whimsical, bouncy tunes tailored to Korosuke's energetic personality. Kikuchi's arrangements blended synthesizers with orchestral elements to evoke the era's technological optimism, enhancing the show's portrayal of everyday science as magical adventure. Insert songs appeared sporadically for key sequences, such as time-travel episodes, where ethereal, temporal-shifting tracks heightened dramatic tension during Kiteretsu's historical jaunts; examples include brief vocal pieces integrated into episodes featuring . Soundtracks compiling these themes and scores were released by Nippon Columbia from 1988 to 1996, with notable albums like the Kiteretsu Daihyakka Song Collection (1992) and Super Best (2005) featuring vocal tracks alongside instrumental highlights. In 2014, a comprehensive two-disc retrospective, Kiteretsu Daihyakka Soundtrack History, gathered Kikuchi's background cues and select inserts, preserving the auditory essence of the series. The music's enduring appeal in Japan is evident in its cultural footprint, with opening and ending themes frequently covered in live performances and fan tributes, while revivals appear in Fujiko F. Fujio compilation releases, including anniversary collections up to 2025 that integrate Kiteretsu tracks alongside other series like Doraemon. These elements have contributed to nostalgic revivals, such as jazz and metal covers of "Hajimete no Chuu," underscoring the songs' versatility and lasting influence on anime music traditions.

Other Adaptations

Video Games

The Kiteretsu Daihyakka franchise has inspired several adaptations, primarily released for and platforms in during the early . These titles emphasize the series' core theme of and gadgetry, with players typically controlling the Kiteretsu as he constructs devices to overcome obstacles, solve puzzles, or embark on time-travel adventures, often accompanied by his robotic companion Korosuke. All games were developed with simple controls suitable for a young audience and remained exclusive to the Japanese market, reflecting the manga's domestic popularity. The first adaptation, Kiteretsu Daihyakka for the Family Computer (Famicom), was released on February 23, 1990, by . This side-scrolling action-platformer tasks players with guiding Kiteretsu through levels to rescue his friends using makeshift inventions like flying machines and tools to navigate platforms and defeat enemies. Gameplay involves collecting coins for scoring and health recovery while avoiding hazards, with Korosuke providing occasional assistance as an AI-like ally. The game's design prioritizes straightforward mechanics to mirror the manga's inventive problem-solving, though it features limited levels and basic enemy patterns. In 1994, Video System published Kiteretsu Daihyakka: Bouken Ooedo Juraki for the Game Boy, blending action-platforming with RPG-like exploration elements. Set in a time-slip scenario involving the and prehistoric themes, players direct Kiteretsu to build for puzzle-solving and combat across stages, such as traversing historical or environments while interacting with series characters. The portable format allows for quick sessions focused on assembly to progress, maintaining the motif central to the franchise. Another 1994 release, Kiteretsu Daihyakka: Edo ni Itte Kiteretsusai-sama ni Au nari for the , targeted educational play for children aged 2-8. Developed and published by Enterprises, this interactive title simulates a trip to the era, where players use touch-based controls on the Pico's drawing pad to guide Kiteretsu in constructing inventions and completing social studies-themed activities, such as historical simulations involving Korosuke. The game's story-driven format encourages creative building to "meet" historical figures, aligning with the system's edutainment focus. The final major console entry, Kiteretsu Daihyakka: Chōjikū Sugoroku for the Super Famicom, arrived on January 27, 1995, from Video System with development by Fill-in-Café. This multiplayer adaptation supports up to five players (human or CPU-controlled) navigating dimensional boards inspired by the series' time-travel quests, incorporating mini-games where Kiteretsu deploys inventions to resolve challenges like puzzles or races. Boards draw from historical and fantastical settings, with dice rolls and event cards emphasizing strategic gadget use for victory. No major remakes or digital rereleases, such as on , have been issued as of 2025, though physical copies remain collectible among retro gaming enthusiasts.
TitlePlatformRelease DateDeveloper/PublisherGenre
Kiteretsu DaihyakkaFamicomFebruary 23, 1990Action-Platformer
Kiteretsu Daihyakka: Bouken Ooedo JurakiJuly 15, 1994Video System Co., Ltd.Action-Adventure
Kiteretsu Daihyakka: Edo ni Itte Kiteretsusai-sama ni Au nari1994 Enterprises, Ltd.Educational Interactive
Kiteretsu Daihyakka: Chōjikū SugorokuSuper FamicomJanuary 27, 1995Fill-in-Café / Video System Co., Ltd. Simulation

Live-Action Drama

A live-action television drama adaptation of Kiteretsu Daihyakka, titled Kiteretsu, was produced as a special episode under NHK's Drama Ai no Uta series and aired on NHK Educational TV on January 1, 2002, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. JST, spanning approximately 80 minutes. The production adapted elements from the original manga, focusing on protagonist Kiteretsu (real name Eiichi Kitei) discovering his ancestor's invention encyclopedia and embarking on a time-travel adventure using a homemade time machine called the "Kōjiki" (航時機), accompanied by his robot companion Korosuke and classmate Miyoko. The drama employed a blend of live-action footage with (CGI) to depict Korosuke and the fantastical inventions, marking a departure from the fully animated source material while striving to maintain fidelity to the characters' visual designs from the . Child actors portrayed the young leads, with Shuichi Yamauchi in the role of Kiteretsu, Erika Ōyanagi as Miyoko Nonohana, and veteran voice actress providing the voice for the CGI-animated Korosuke, reprising her role from the series. Supporting cast included Takeshi Katō as the reclusive Miyahara and other adults in comedic and familial roles, emphasizing the story's themes of and . Produced by NHK with a script by Masaji Todayama, the special was designed for educational programming, targeting families during New Year's viewing slots to highlight themes of creativity and scientific curiosity inspired by Fujiko F. Fujio's work. As a one-off production with a modest budget suited to public broadcasting, it incorporated practical effects alongside CGI to demonstrate inventions in a grounded, real-world context, differing from the anime's more exaggerated fantasy elements. No sequels were made, but the episode remains archived in NHK's digital library for historical access.

Broadcast and Release

Domestic Airing

The adaptation of Kiteretsu Daihyakka was preceded by a titled Fujiko Fujio no Kiteretsu Daihyakka, which aired on on November 2, 1987. The regular series premiered on in the Sunday evening time slot from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., with the first episode broadcasting on March 27, 1988, and the final episode airing on June 9, 1996. Spanning eight years, the series produced a total of 331 episodes, each approximately 25 minutes long, aired weekly, though occasional hiatuses occurred due to network programming events such as annual FNS specials in summer. Reruns aired frequently on affiliates and independent stations through the late and early . In April 2025, an Anniversary Selection Blu-ray BOX containing 90 selected episodes (including the special) was released. Positioned within Fuji Television's established Sunday evening children's anime block—following long-running family series like —the show was promoted as part of the network's youth-oriented lineup, incorporating holiday-timed episodes such as New Year's adventures to align with seasonal viewing traditions. Standout episodes reached peaks of 25.7% in the Kanto region.

International Distribution

The anime adaptation of Kiteretsu Daihyakka has seen distribution across several regions outside , primarily through localized dubs and broadcasts on children's networks. In , it aired in the with a Tagalog dub produced by Animation International, broadcast on QTV Channel 11. In , the series was shown on with an English dub tailored for the local audience. An Arabic dub was also produced for the , airing in on via Al Centre - . In , the series received significant exposure in through Luk Internacional, which licensed it for broadcast in multiple regional languages including Spanish, Catalan, Galician, and Basque. It was aired on various channels such as Aragón TV, Canal Sur 2, , and TVG (Televisión de Galicia). In , a dub was available on and Panda Biggs. These distributions occurred primarily in the and , with some reruns extending into later years. Streaming options remain limited but include availability on Spacetoon Go for Arabic-speaking regions and platforms like and SerieStation in . No official English-language dub has been produced for global markets, leading to reliance on fan-subtitled versions for international accessibility. Title variations, such as Kiteretsu Encyclopedia in English contexts, reflect localization efforts, though the series has not achieved widespread streaming on major platforms like outside specific regional licenses.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Response

Kiteretsu Daihyakka has been noted for its inventive humor and lighthearted exploration of scientific concepts through the protagonist's gadget-building antics, earning praise in user evaluations for blending comedy with subtle educational elements on and problem-solving. On , the series holds a median user rating of "Good" and an of 6.389 out of 10 (described as "Decent+"), with viewers appreciating the strong interplay between Kiteretsu and his quirky companion Korosuke, which echoes but differentiates from the duo dynamics in Fujiko F. Fujio's by emphasizing a more independent inventor-boy relationship. Japanese platform Filmarks aggregates a 3.9 out of 5 average from 829 reviews, where commentators highlight the series' consistent humor derived from failed inventions and character mishaps, alongside its value in fostering curiosity about among young audiences, though some note Korosuke's less versatile gadgetry compared to contemporaries. In scholarly contexts, the has been examined in linguistic studies of Japanese media for its use of stylized "role language" (), particularly Korosuke's samurai-inflected speech patterns like "Sessha ga iku nari" ("I am going"), which exemplify artificial pidgins to distinguish characters and reinforce cultural stereotypes in children's fiction; this analysis positions it alongside other Fujiko F. Fujio works like in promoting accessible, trope-driven narratives. The series received no major awards during its run, though composer , who contributed to its soundtrack, earned broader recognition including an Award of Merit at the 2013 Tokyo Anime Awards for his anime scoring career, which encompassed Kiteretsu Daihyakka. Recent retrospectives in the have revisited the work as an enduring yet underappreciated entry in Fujiko's oeuvre, emphasizing its unique focus on solo ingenuity over ensemble adventures through permanent displays at the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum pairing it with other series like , without significant new critical updates as of 2025.

Popularity and Influence

Kiteretsu Daihyakka achieved notable popularity in during its original broadcast run from to , appealing particularly to children of the era through its inventive storytelling and humorous gadget-based adventures. The series ranked 44th in TV Asahi's 2005 web poll of the top 100 series, reflecting its enduring recognition among Japanese audiences as a mid-tier classic in the genre of children's science fiction. This standing underscores its status as a beloved entry in Fujiko F. Fujio's body of work, alongside more globally dominant titles like . Merchandise tied to the series, especially featuring the robot character Korosuke, has sustained fan interest over decades. In the late 1980s and 1990s, released lines of die-cast figures and plush toys depicting Korosuke and various gadgets, capitalizing on the anime's peak popularity. More recently, in the , continued production with items like PC Stuffed Korosuke plush dolls released in , while Medicom Toy issued Ultra Detail Figures of Kiteretsu and Korosuke in 2018 as part of a Fujiko F. Fujio series. These products remain available through specialty retailers, indicating ongoing commercial viability. The fanbase remains strong among Japanese viewers nostalgic for 1980s-1990s childhood media, with online communities sharing episodes and on platforms like . Internationally, the series has developed a modest , aided by dubs in languages such as (via Animation International and Centre) and Tagalog, and availability on streaming services like Plex and Trakt.tv. In 2025, it saw a rerun on India starting July 14. Memes centered on Korosuke's gluttonous personality and robotic antics have circulated on and , often drawing parallels to similar characters in Fujiko's other works. As part of Fujiko F. Fujio's oeuvre, Kiteretsu Daihyakka has influenced the portrayal of young inventor protagonists and time-travel elements in children's , normalizing gadget-driven problem-solving and temporal adventures in subsequent series. Its inclusion in exhibits at the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum in Kawasaki highlights its lasting cultural impact, where displays feature original artwork and themes from the series alongside and . By 2025, no new adaptations have been produced since the original anime concluded in 1996, preserving its legacy through reruns and archival appreciation.

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