(known in English as 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother ) is a classic 1976 anime series directed by Isao Takahata and featuring scene design by Hayao Miyazaki . Part of the World Masterpiece Theater collection, it is based on a short story from the Italian novel Cuore by Edmondo De Amicis. Story Summary

Set in 1881, the drama follows , a young boy from Genoa, Italy. Due to a severe economic depression, his mother, Anna, moves to Argentina to work as a domestic servant to pay off family debts. When her letters suddenly stop arriving, Marco fears she is ill and embarks on a grueling 12,000-kilometer journey across the Atlantic to find her. Key Characters

: The determined protagonist who travels from Italy to South America.

: A traveling puppeteer troupe Marco meets during his journey. Themes and Style

The series is renowned for its , contrasting with the optimism of other shows from that era like Heidi . It explores:

: Marco's mother, whose disappearance in Argentina sparks the adventure.

: A small white monkey and Marco's loyal traveling companion.