User reviews

This French cartoon series is a wonderful modern take on the ancient Greek legends about Ulysses.

Having rescued his children from being a sacrifice to the Gods of Mount Olympus, the futuristic Ulysses, sees the crew of his space ship frozen and his ship cast off into deep space at the mercy of the Gods. What follows is a series of adventures, based on the legends, that Ulysses, his children, and one of comic my hero's, NoNo have to pass in order to reach the Kingdom of Hades and the way back to earth.

A wonderful series to introduce todays young children to the lessons of the Greek legends, as it did me ten years ago.

"Ulysse(s) 31" is a brilliant animated series from the early 1980's, a brilliant French-Japanese co-production. It is basically a science fiction re-telling of Homer's famous epic, with the noble & heroic titular character now lost in space, after having offended the Greek Gods, and looking for a way home.

Of course, adapting and updating such an old story would not work without some changes here and there, and so new characters and situations and setting were added. Even so, the series was, and is, a great way to introduce people to the great stories of ancient mythology.

The quality of animation is very good (for a product of its time, anyway) with a good musical score, catchy theme song included.

Highly recommended for fans of animation, SF fans, and anyone who is interested in mythology.

But, well, France is known for its interesting artistic production. Ulysse 31 offered a very interesting futuristic take on Homer's Odyssey and was immensely successful and utterly enjoyable.

They did some excellent work.

I'm a kid from the 80's and one of the things and there have been many things that have always had a place in my heart. Two of them I treasure the most are mythology and animation, this show has both. This is another one of my favorite cartoon from the 80's that I feel as time went on became a forgotten gem.

The premise I think is awesome, retelling Greek mythology in a space opera fashion was a great idea. Both the sci-fi and fantasy genre have always been a beautiful combination because the sci-fi element I feel broadens the fantasy universe more. There is magic but there is also science, swords but also laser guns. But most importantly just demonstrates how timeless the stories of myth are as they have successfully translated to the 80's era.

I really love the animation, it's true it might seem a little dated now but for it's time it was revolution. Character animation is good but what impresses me the most is in it's background animation and the rich universe it has created, which is surreal but fascinating at the same time. From the space station which looks almost similar to the space station in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine", from it's circular shape to the all seeing eye. But what impresses me the most is the worlds they visit, my favorite one is no doubt the planet with the games, I'll talk about latter. Even some of the hidden metaphors and philosophy is intact.

The music score I think is great, the theme song is great and I think is a bit underrated, it's on my list of favorite theme songs; it's exciting really fits the sci-fi premise with a few of it's techno beats.

The protagonists Ulysses (whom looks like Jesus), Telemicus, and Yuli are decent, their not deep protagonists their all two dimensional. But then again so are the protagonists in myth, like them their mainly just doers, severe whatever purpose the story delivers to them. All three have a genuine motive which is simply to get back home and awaken their friends; which by it's nature is the typical motivation device just to take the protagonists on the adventures we want them to go. The only weak factor no doubt is that stupid robot Nono. That character I always felt was out of place and practically useless.

But like in all mythology stories, were really in it for the adventures. I really love how not just is the show retelling Greek Myth but also other myths from around the world. Which is great because it introduces kids to ones we've never heard about and shows how broad mythology truly goes. Two of my favorite episode are one the retelling of the Maze and the Minator, loved the design of that maze it was cool. Though my favorite has been the one in the planet of games, which was pretty much "The Most Dangerous Game" premise where Ulysess had to play and survive each challenge, the most notable is the giant chessboard with robots representing the Chess figures, it's awesome.

There's not much else for me to say, it would be awesome if there was some sort of revival to this show, with today's tech it should at least be considered, I'd personally like to see some sci-fi versions of other myths as well as figures in them like Hercules and Jason. Overall, Ulysses 31 is a great odyssey you wouldn't want to end.

Rating: 4 stars

I decided to watch one of the episodes of this series on FOX Kids, and here is what I think of the series after one episode; it's pretty good!

Ulysses 31, I think, uses a clever and inventive way of re-telling Greek mythology in this science fiction fantasy environment. It might be commonplace now for most kids' science fiction programmes today, but this might have been something different when it was first transmitted in 1981.

The dubbing is just adequate, but, as someone who is now used to watching foreign animation with sub-titles, I think that I might enjoy the dialogue more in its original French language, with English subtitles (hope that's one of the features on the upcoming DVD). The animation is just what you except from a TV animated series aimed at kids for from this era (watching Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors after this, the animation is pretty conventional). I do admire how they done the spaceship, when it is moving in space and remains quite static. Also, the attention on the spaceship is somewhat realistic (yes, I know it's a cartoon, but I pay attention to this sort of stuff!). Anyway, great work on the spaceship! I was skeptical on using this 2D cell animation for this programme, but, as I started to enjoy and progress further into the episode's narrative, it doesn't seem to bother me. Also, the music is pretty good throughout the programme too! Overall, pretty good series, but I will need to see more episodes to understand why this series is well celebrated.

I have to start by saying that I watched the first 10 episodes, then skipped to one before the last and watched the last one, the reason being that there seems to not be a sequence after the first episode, hence you can watch any of them but the last one after the first (I think).

It follows Greek mythology to certain degree with a childish touch. The episodes are somewhat predictive, its seems the sequence is to land on a new planet, Ulysses goes to look after trouble, his son who was told to stay in the space ship goes after him and saves him and/or backwards, they don't find news, maybe fix a thing and go back to the spaceship.

I watched this as a child back in the 80's thus I have to say my favourite part was the intro and outro because they brings me back good memories.

In all this is for an older generation, I guess it is better if you know Greek mythology very well and see how they changed the plot to make it fit the show (which I picked up a bit but I'm not a mythology expert).

If you want to see what this show is about, I recommend you watch episode 1, x, x, x, last.

I would have given it less than 6/10 but I enjoyed it as a child, so for the good times I'll save it from failure.

I found this on IMDB but mistake - I didn't realise that they would list it.

This has to be one of the best animated shows ever - made in France and developed in Japan, it's Homer's Odyssey, set in the 31st Century.

Ulysses upsets the Gods and has to fly his ship to the Kingdom of Hades to unfreeze his crew and return to Earth. On the way, all manner of obstacles get in the way as he flies across the Universe desperately seeking the Kingdom.

Top stuff - just such a shame it's not available on DVD (hint)!

Ulysses 31 is a lose adaptation of Homer's Odyssey and to be honest has copied many things from Star Wars like some of the weapons used in to a point that I was wandering if George Lucas had give them any lawsuit for plagiarism and when I check he surely did it.

In any cases the series is decent and it has good animation, though a bit cheap and dated for today and at times you feel that the plot is on repeat "Ulysses go to some adventure ,tries to win ,but the Gods do their thing and mess the whole effort". In any case as a kid series go is it good and it will make your children indirectly learn some ancient Greek myths.

And that is the best part of the series ,it very nicely fuses the sci-fi of the series with many of the most famous legends of the myths and I can't say that it was sloppily made for it seems the block of the work in the series was in that part and it was fine.

As for the music is cheesy as any eighties cartoon ,yet still is enjoyable and fits the tone of the series.

Over all it was an interesting experience and I want it to watch it because I wanted to see a different take to a familiar story and the final product wasn't bad at all.

I was about 13 when this cartoon came out and used to race home after school to watch it. The animation was amazing and still holds up today and each episode always had a moral or meaning behind it. I won't put any spoilers down just watch and enjoy like I'm going to again and I'm in my early 50s. 10/10

I didn't grow up on watching this series, as it aired a few years before I was born, it hadn't made it to America yet, and when it did I missed it since I read elsewhere that it didn't air in the states long enough for me to get to catch it. I wouldn't have known nor heard of it until after reaching adulthood when I came across reading about it on a few websites, including this one. Afterward, my curiosity was piqued enough to take interest in checking out this show. It took me a few months to get through viewing all the episodes at Kiss Cartoon and I'm glad I saw it. It's among the older cartoons that were new to me that I'm happy I discovered and wish that I had discovered, and watched sooner.

Fun fact about this is that although co-produced with Japan's Tokyo Movie Shinsha, this is the French DiC's premier animated series, which I previously didn't know. And what a great strong, start that was for the studio. It has since become one of my most favorite DiC productions and anime. I already knew of its other French-Japanese co-produced show from the '80s, The Mysterious Cities of Gold, when I was little/younger and after watching that on Kiss Cartoon, I decided to see this next. Though inspired by Homer's Odyssey, this space-age, sci-fi upgrade of it outdoes the original source in so many more ways than one. And there's a side of it like nobody had ever seen before then.

There are so many things this has: Not only Greek mythological references, but international mythological references, even a biblical reference in at least one episode (After The Flood) with the Ark as in Noah's Ark. As well as messages and lessons. Some certain, somewhat mature themes are included too, which are what set it apart from other cartoons of the time. Also, there's even an episode that referred to the original Ulysses who the futuristic Ulysses meets through a time-wrap and ends up transporting to the initial Ulysses's time and place in Greece. One very interesting thing I'd like to point out that hasn't been mentioned by any other the other reviewers here (though I know the evident reason) is there was one episode that I'm not sure either mentioned there having been more than one planet like Earth or if the original Earth had gone through various changes or phases. If it's the former, then that means it actually foreshadowed the possibility of one day discovering a second Earth a few decades ahead just as scientists have done in recent years.

Set in outer space in the 31st century, the titular character, Ulysses, is the captain of the eye-shaped spaceship, The Odyssey. After his son, Telemachus, is captured for sacrifice to the Cyclops, he meets a Zotrian alien girl named Yumi and her big brother, Numinor. After Ulysses comes to their aid, Zeus and the other gods are displeased with this, so they retaliate by having Ulysses's crew turned to stone while suspended in the air, and now he, Telemachus, Yumi, and robot NoNo must go through a series of courses before they can return to Earth. Numinor isn't affected as much as the others, so he's able to come out of his stupor a few times before the finale episode.Various Greek mythological figures and others are encountered along the way as they strive through the obstacles. It's truly one of those serial series.

This is a fantastic series. Anyone questioning whether it's a cartoon or an anime, I say it's more anime than cartoon, as to me, it seems to have the distinctive Japanese style to the animation. The animation is top-notch, most of the characters are fine. The blend of European/French and Japanese art styles are pluses. I saw only the English dub, but maybe the French and Japanese dubs are better. I love the theme song. Another reviewer mentioned another Zotrian named Athena, whose name references the Greek goddess of wisdom. She's one of my favorite characters and I wish there were other episodes featuring her too somehow.

This show has everything, including being action-packed. There's so much to it, even though at 26 episodes, first-time viewers would be better off seeing it for themselves. I haven't seen to pilot, but I plan to get to doing so eventually. I wish the show were longer. I read on its page at TV Tropes that a second season was going to follow, but then it was dropped. It's fun to wonder what hindrances the foursome would've faced next and maybe we would have gotten to see the other characters make recurring appearances along with seeing new ones. Want to watch a show that isn't too repetitive, then I'd recommend this. There's always something different enough that happens in each episode and events setting them apart from one another. Recommended as it's definitely among the best of the best. Like others said, it's a great way of introducing kids to Greek mythology. Now if only the complete series rather than just the select episodes would be released on DVD in the U.S. I might try to order the U.K. or Australian imports on the complete series, but I'd be able to watch it on the computer only evidently. I can see why this is so beloved. One of DiC's best that's one of a kind in the company's history. Not to be passed.

I was like 12 years old when I first watched this in the early 80s when they were first aired in greek television. A great retelling of the odyssey adventure set up in...space. especially for us who grew up in the 80s this is a must have cartoon to own in dvd and there is a great dvd box set in the market with all episodes plus extras released years ago so go get it.

grade A

To me, this show had everything: a great score, beautiful character, and set design, and engaging plots! Every episode was packed with action, and also a lot of heart.

Ever since it was published on DVD some years ago, I've often rewatched the whole series and it holds up. I still feel for the characters, I still want them to finally reach their destination, but I wouldn't have minded a couple more episodes either.

Mixing science-fiction and Greek mythology was a stroke of brilliance and it made for an awesome cartoon show.

A fantastic series. A japanese-french production, one of the best anime I have seen. I have been an anime fan since i was 3, and this is one of the best. Yeah, the art style is not anime,but everything in it and the fact that it was produced mostly by japanese people, (even the character designer is japanese), it can count as an anime. One of the best series you will ever see.

Having grown up in France, it was one of my childhood favorites among Space Pirate Cobra, Albator (Captain Harock) and Rémi Sans Famille (Nobody's boy). Recently seen the whole serie again and it has aged like a fine wine. I can't believe how incredibly creative the episodes were. The original French script was very good, the visuals and designs by TMS excellent, the music was out of this world. I recommend seeing it in French with subtitles as the dubbed versions doesn't do it justice. Adapting a story as ancient and well known as Homer's Odysseus into a sci-fi space opera must have been incredibly challenging but they pulled it off! Without taking anything from this, someone should turn this into an episodic live action serie. But you need an authentic fan of the original at the helm to stay true to that vision. It's a beautiful production and well worth seeing.

Best anime series ever. The plot and the animation are simply amazing!

As this was always squeezed between the likes of Scooby Doo and Bugs Bunny on tv when I was a kid, this cartoon seemed kind of serious, dark and I hate to say a bit boring to my pre pubescent brain.

However it was one of those shows I distinctly remembered decades later, could still sing the theme tune to and never did find out what happened in the end.

A retro restoration geek, YouTube and plenty of lockdown spare time all combined for a complete revisit from episode one to the unknown end and boy it was a complete blessing to quarantined life and I still watch it now.

It was mainly the style and design that kept me watching, it's oozing those Daft Punk animated music video vibes! When something retro looks exactly like or even better than those trying to mimic it decades later, you know you have a design classic.

For its visuals, think animee made for westerners with a Buck Roger's meets Star Wars idea of space future, oddly imaginative details and darkly arty style for the ancient gods twist. Yes there's that much going on!

It's actually more watchable as an adult, yes there's obvious kid bits and that blue thing always screeching, " my brother", is really annoying, but it sticks with being plot based rather than slapstick and the mythology it's based on, has some pretty grown up themes and philosophy. This probably explains why as kid I didn't quite get it.

Basically this is perfect for a manchild mood. Where you want to relive that sneaking downstairs early on a Saturday morning to watch cartoons feeling, but can justify it with something a little more grown up and use the excuse that it's a design classic. (Personally I've woken up really early on a Saturday, had a little 420 and put it on for beautiful background visuals / noise, whilst I do things like write this and have little moments of being a kid again).

Oh and I did find out what happened in the end, this is no Dungeon's and Dragons, it actually has one! Also I find Ulysses kinda hot, which weirds me out a bit.

This was one of the great cartoons of the 1980's. Ulysse 31 introduced kids to the world of greek mithology in an exciting and fantastic adventure. This cartoon was a futuristic version of the classic tale "The Odyssey" writen by Homer, set in outer space instead of the Mediterranean Sea. Of course to make it a bit more interesting the cartoon had some things added. Without a doubt a great cartoon.