Once Upon a Time... Space

Once Upon a Time... Space is a spellbinding animated series that takes viewers on a thrilling journey across the cosmos. Produced in France and distributed by French studio Procidis, this captivating series became a staple of children's television in the early 1980s. It first aired from October 1982 until January 1983 and was broadcasted in numerous countries globally. The series creator, Albert Barillé, teamed up with versatile animation studio Indigenius to conceive an engaging and educational program that would capture the younger audience's imagination.

The series is profoundly rooted in scientific knowledge, mixing hard science facts with a sprinkling of fantasy and speculative fiction to create an intriguing universe that still holds up its appeal. The series primarily aims to teach its young viewers about space, the universe, and other celestial bodies. It offers digestible scientific content that promotes learning and reflection rather than just providing passive entertainment.

Once Upon a Time... Space meticulously creates a universe set in the distant future, where multiple intelligent species have discovered interstellar travel and established their civilizations across different galaxies. This creative blend of the future and the ancient times brings a unique perspective to the series narrative.

The central character, Pierrot, is a courageous human with a strong sense of justice. Alongside his companions Psi, a humanoid with psychic abilities, and Metro, a humorous robotic assistant, they navigate through various interstellar exploits. Their dedication to preserving peace and justice in the universe forms the backbone of the plot.

Throughout their various adventures, these protagonists not only entertain but also enlighten the viewer with their discoveries. Whether it's learning about the complexities of black holes, the mystery of dark matter, the fascinating aspects of supernovae, or any other marvels of space, the series delivers its lessons in a way that is both fun and informative. The depth and credibility of these scientific elements make Once Upon a Time… Space an engaging watch for children and adults alike.

Beyond its informative content, the series explores themes of friendship, knowledge, responsibility, and courage. It delves into the universal values that align societies across galaxies. Even within its science-focused narrative, the series emphasizes the importance of peace and harmony among different species and decries forces that foster discord and conflict.

The series also features a compelling antagonist, the tyrannical general Pest, who frequently clashes with our protagonists. Their confrontations provide exciting conflict situations, adding an edge to the entertaining educational content, and adding depth to character dynamics.

The animation of Once Upon a Time... Space is fairly advanced for its time. Bright, bold, and exceptionally detailed, each episode is a feast for the eyes. The exquisite attention to detail in its depiction of otherworldly species, intricate machinery, and alien landscapes is particularly noteworthy.

Yet, the visual appeal of Once Upon a Time... Space is not limited to its animation. The series boasts a remarkably consistent color palette, with outer space being portrayed in shades of blues and purples, making the setting as dazzling as it is inviting.

Coupled with an intriguing storyline and high-quality animation is the immersive audio experience. The series is noted for its engaging background score and sound effects, which match the thrilling nature of the narrative beautifully.

A significant aspect of Once Upon a Time... Space's charm is its capacity to engage viewers through storytelling, which is accompanied by valuable teachings about space and the universe. Despite being primarily targeted toward a younger audience, the series has enough substance to engage adults, making it an ideal watch for family viewing.

Overall, Once Upon a Time... Space is a perfect blend of adventure, knowledge, and animation that will leave viewers hooked from the first episode. It's a classic product of the 80s that stands out as a superb example of edutainment. Even after thirty years since its release, this series retains its charm and continues to inspire a sense of wonder about the universe we live in.