is an Italian-Japanese

anime is Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japane ...

, based on the western character

Zorro Zorro (Spanish language, Spanish for 'fox') is a fictional character created in 1919 by American pulp magazine, pulp writer Johnston McCulley, appearing in works set in the Pueblo of Los Angeles in Alta California. He is typically portrayed a ...

. The series was initially broadcast in Italy in 1994 before being broadcast in Japan two years later, albeit with some episodes skipped (only 46 of the original 52 episodes were shown in Japan).

Plot

Diego Vega, the eighteen-year-old

scion Scion may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional entities *Scion, a playable class in the game ''Path of Exile'' (2013) *Atlantean Scion, a device in the ''Tomb Raider'' video game series *Scions, an alien race in the video game ''Ba ...

of a local landowner, returns from studying in Spain and discovers that his homeland has fallen under the dictatorship of Commander Raymond and Lieutenant Gabriel. Outraged by the oppression, Diego decides to fight the tyrants. Disguised as Zorro, a masked swordsman, he helps the weak, riding away on his horse, Viento. In his day-to-day life, Diego portrays himself as a clumsy and cowardly boy who flees when faced with dangerous situations only to appear moments later as Zorro. As the local hero, he is known to punish his enemies by cutting a "Z" shaped mark into them with the tip of his blade. Diego is accompanied by Bernard, his

sidekick A sidekick is a slang expression for a close companion or colleague (not necessarily in fiction) who is, or is generally regarded as, subordinate to the one they accompany. Some well-known fictional sidekicks are Don Quixote's Sancho Panza, ...

, who wears a similar costume and has the nickname "Little Zorro." Diego's childhood friend and sweetheart, Lolita Prideaux, believes that Spain changed him and she scolds him relentlessly for his idiotic behavior. Lolita is a sweet-tempered girl who wants to fight evil and protect the people by helping Zorro from behind the scenes. She later develops feelings for Zorro, though she is unaware of his true identity.

Characters

;Don Diego Vega/Zorro : (English) :The main

protagonist A protagonist () is the main character of a story. The protagonist makes key decisions that affect the plot, primarily influencing the story and propelling it forward, and is often the character who faces the most significant obstacles. If a st ...

of the series. As Diego, he pretends to be lazy and clumsy, playing the role of a cowardly fool to hide his secret identity. As Zorro, he is the most noble-minded swordsman in the world. Diego is a rival of Captain Raymond but feels a deep affection for the other man. Diego is calm and reasonable, contrasting with his hot-headed and stubborn companions. ;Lolita Prideaux : (Japanese) :The female protagonist of the series. Diego's spunky and beautiful, blond childhood friend and love interest. She acts bossy towards Diego, but she has romantic feelings for Zorro. ;Bernard/Little Zorro : (English) :Diego/Zorro's sidekick, an abandoned orphan found by Diego when he was still a baby. Diego adopted and took care of him as if he was his younger brother. He helps Zorro by eavesdropping and gathering information, and later develops his own alter ego, "Little Zorro." ;Commander Raymond : (Japanese) :The main villain of the series, commander of the Spanish Army in California who plots to assassinate the Governor-General. ;Lieutenant Gabriel : (Japanese) :A young Spanish officer who serves as Captain Raymond's right-hand man in California. Lt. Gabriel has feelings for Lolita. ;Don Alejandro Vega : (Japanese) :Diego's father. Wealthy landowner and field worker. ;Sergeant Pedro Gonzales : (Japanese) :A stout sergeant who often serves as comic relief. Comparable to

Johnston McCulley John William Johnston McCulley (February 2, 1883 – November 23, 1958) was an American writer of hundreds of stories, fifty novels, numerous screenplays for film and television, and the creator of the character Zorro. Biography Born in O ...

's character from 1920's '' The Mark of Zorro''. He has a good moral sense but remains gluttonous and simple-minded within the army. ;Don Carlos Prideaux : :Lolita's father. ;Catarina Prideaux : :Lolita's mother. ;Maria : :The Vega's housemaid. She is very masculine, boisterous, and not afraid to scold - but takes care of the kids with much fondness. ;Viento : :Zorro's horse. ;Tackle : :Diego's lazy hunting dog ;Figaro : :Bernard's helpful bulldog. ;Nikita : :Bernard's love interest. ;Manuel : :One of Bernard's best friends. ;Sergio : :One of Bernard's best friends. ;Leona : :One of Bernard's best friends, a girl who looks like a boy. ;Governor-General : :In charge of the Californian branch of the army (and town by extension). ;Captain Jekyll : : ;Brown : : ;Kapital : :

Episode list

''The Legend of Zorro'' (1996)

Music

The series soundtrack contains two pieces of thematic music. The opening theme is titled "Zorro", and the closing theme "Chikai" (誓い; "Oath"). Both are sung by

Masaaki Endoh is a Japanese singer-songwriter who is prominent in the area of soundtracks for anime and tokusatsu productions. He is one of the founders of the Anison band JAM Project and has been a regular member ever since its inception in 2000. His nickn ...

and are used for all aired episodes.As per the opening and ending credits.

References

External links

Official anime website
of

Production Reed Production may refer to: Economics and business * Production (economics) * Production, the act of manufacturing goods * Production, in the outline of industrial organization, the act of making products (goods and services) * Production as a stati ...

Official anime website
of

on MONDO TV * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Legend of Zorro, The 1996 anime television series debuts Italian children's animated action television series Italian children's animated adventure television series Italian children's animated superhero television series Japanese children's animated action television series Japanese children's animated adventure television series Japanese children's animated superhero television series Action anime and manga Adventure anime and manga Historical anime and manga NHK original programming Ashi Productions Zorro television series Television shows set in California Television series set in the 1800s Spanish Empire in fiction Superheroes in anime and manga