Jean Chalopin (co-creator of Ulysses 31) had done it again. He had made another true classic. Yet again, this is one of those greats I came across while doing an online search for some other show, but as always, when I find something of this quality, I'm very much glad I did. Another show I hadn't heard of nor known about previously, I wish I had been able to watch this in my childhood. Even back then, I'm sure I still would've loved it. For some reason, it seems that the English dub of this French-Japanese co-production was hidden from U.S. airwaves but not Australia's, making me unaware of it priorly. It should've gotten airplay in the U.S., in fact, it would've fit in and been well at home on Nickelodeon along with other anime series that used to be shown on there, like The Mysterious Cities of Gold. I checked out the first few episodes I've seen so far for most of this past week online and I've been enjoying them well so far. Another one that's got me hooked. Some of the programs I find are the best discoveries I've ever made.
Set in the very late 19th century/very early 20th century, this tells the story about two special and gifted, fraternal twins who are different not only in gender, but also in race/nationality named Jules (who is the Asian/Chinese brother) and Julie (his Caucasian/English sister) Tournier. Despite both of them being born to two different sets of parents, as well as their racial/national differences, they are still considered siblings to each other and treated as if they're related by blood just the same. This all has to do with them having several things in common, such as both of them being born in Shanghai, China, their real fathers becoming widowed after their mothers died in childbirth, a Moon Goddess involved with them from afar, both the twins being born and blessed with special powers, and more. All of the aforementioned are parts of a prophecy. A Chinese empress named Dowager sends her henchmen to have the babies slain to prevent the future of the two becoming saviors of China and having her overthrown. But through an act of a miraculous event, they are saved and manage to survive the failed attempt of being murdered. Baby Jules and Baby Julie are taken in by Martin Garcon and Captain Tournier, who adopts them. They all eventually make their way to Europe. Twelve years later, they're now preteens, but they're still not quite out of danger, as Empress Dowager has her henchmen trying to do her dirty work again. The kids have to be whisked away to safety and for the rest of the series, they are pursued through Eurasia. The twins are bonded by an intuitive connection, such as both being strongly able to sense danger or that something's wrong. Along the way to reaching their goal of freeing their dads from imprisonment, they gradually improve on the use of the seven powers they share and experience double the extraordinariness.
Everything about this is brilliantly well-done. The characters (especially the titular, two main protagonists/heroes), the writing, the art/animation, the music (especially the English version of the theme song), and the voice work (I heard the English dub only and it sounds fine). Not really any complaints about this. Well, almost. The exception being I just wish the audio/visual synchronization was perfect, as it's off at times. Amongst the animations that are so different from the more common fare. Once again, it has become another one of my favorite foreign cartoons/anime, animated shows of the 1990s, and just among my favorite shows overall, animated or otherwise. It's just as great as Chalopin's other creation, Ulysses 31. Shows of this high caliber should be getting more push instead of the mindless dreck that gets more attention. It truly deserves so much more. Another DVD release in which I'd be interested and invest. This is added to my "Best Cartoons/Anime/General Shows" Ever Made" list. Everybody who may be reading this, this is an exciting show that will give you one of the best thrill rides of your life. Well worth the watch and recommended.
