''Diabolik'' (also known as ''Saban's Diabolik'' and ''Diabolik: Track of the Panther'', french: Diabolik: Sur les Traces de la Panthère, lit. "Diabolik: In the Footsteps of the Panther") is an animated television series based on the Italian comic book series of the same name by Angela and Luciana Giussani. Directed by Charles Corton, Jean-Luc Ayak and Thierry Coudert and written by Jean Cheville, Paul Diamond and Larry Brody, the series was an international co-production between

Saban Entertainment Saban Entertainment, Inc. (along with Saban International; currently operating under the legal name is BVS Entertainment, Inc.) was a worldwide-served independent American-Israeli television production company formed in 1980 by Haim Saban and ...

, Saban International Paris, M6 Métropole Télévision and Mediaset, with animation services by

Ashi Productions is a Japanese anime studio, located in Suginami, Tokyo, Japan, known for its four magical-girl anime, especially ''Magical Princess Minky Momo''. It was established by Toshihiko Sato and other artists on December 20, 1975, as ''Ashi Productions ...

and

Saerom Animation Saerom Animation, Inc ( ko, 새롬 애니메이션) is an animation studio located in Seoul, South Korea which was founded in 1987 by Kil Whan Kim. While it mainly animates shows from American animation studios, the company has started making its ...

. It premiered in Europe on Fox Kids on May 5, 1999, and lasted for 40 episodes before ending on January 1, 2001. Ownership of the series passed to

Disney The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...

in 2001 when

acquired

Fox Kids Worldwide ABC Family Worldwide is a subsidiary of Walt Disney Television that is responsible for the operations of the U.S. cable network Freeform. The company was originally formed as International Family Entertainment, a spin-off of the Christian Broad ...

, which also includes

. The series is not available on

Disney+ Disney+ is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service owned and operated by the Media and Entertainment Distribution division of The Walt Disney Company. The service primarily distributes films and television se ...

. Although it was co-produced in the United States, it never aired there. The series features master thief

Diabolik ''Diabolik'' ( or ) is an Italian comic series created by sisters Angela and Luciana Giussani. One of the most popular series in the history of Italian comics, ''Diabolik'' was created in 1962 and consists of more than 900 volumes, and has led ...

and his companion

Eva Eva or EVA may refer to: * Eva (name), a feminine given name Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional characters * Eva (Dynamite Entertainment), a comic book character by Dynamite Entertainment * Eva (''Devil May Cry''), Dante's mother in t ...

, as they fight the criminal organization Brotherhood and its leader Dane, while evading Inspector Ginko. The series differs considerably from the darker-toned comic, making it more suitable for a young audience; the main differences include the rejuvenation of Diabolik and Eva Kant, the introduction of new characters (such as the main antagonist Dane), the replacement of Diabolik's Jaguar E-Type with a fictional modern car, the absence of murders by the title character, and the setting in the real world rather than fictional locations.

Plot

is a master thief with a deep knowledge in many scientific fields, including chemistry, mechanics, and computers. He has a set of lifelike masks which he uses to fool his opponents, assuming every identity at will. He was raised as an orphan on a secret island hideout of a criminal organization known as the Brotherhood, where he learned all his criminal skills; as a baby, he was found abandoned on a boat by King, the leader of the organization, and welcomed into his home like a son. Dane, King's legitimate son, never accepted him as a brother. Years later, Dane, jealous of Diabolik, framed him for a crime he didn't commit (the murder of a man, the father of Diabolik's future partner

Eva Kant Eva Kant is an Italian comics character who originated in the series '' Diabolik'', issue #3 (3 March 1963). The character is extremely popular in Italy, where she reached the status of fashion icon. Fictional character biography Eva is the girl ...

), and Diabolik remained in prison. Five years later, after King's death, Dane became the leader of the Brotherhood and organized the rescue of his brother, but that was all a cover for his brother's murder, his real plan. Diabolik survived the assassination and swore that he will destroy the Brotherhood and his brother. Together with his partner Eva Kant, who also got personal vendetta against Dane and the Brotherhood, Diabolik manages to make life miserable to Dane and his organization, while being pursued by Inspector Ginko.

Characters

Episodes

References

External links

* {{Fox Kids 1990s American animated television series 1990s French animated television series 1999 American television series debuts 1999 French television series debuts 1999 Italian television series debuts 2000s American animated television series 2000s French animated television series 2001 American television series endings 2001 French television series endings 2001 Italian television series endings American children's animated action television series American children's animated adventure television series Anime-influenced Western animated television series English-language television shows Fox Kids French children's animated action television series French children's animated adventure television series Italian children's animated action television series Italian children's animated adventure television series Jetix original programming Television series by Disney–ABC Domestic Television Television series by Saban Entertainment