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| Bandai Paul's Miraculous Adventure |
| Exhibit #4629 |
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| Type | Special Release |
| Shape | Standard (-) |
| Axle | Fixed |
| Color | Red |
| Construction | Multi-piece plastic |
| Response | Starburst |
| Gap | Fixed |
| Condition | Mint |
| Date | 1977 |
| Owner | Rick Brough |
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The Paul's Miraculous Adventure yo-yo from Bandai, licensed from Tatsunoko Production Company of Japan. The yo-yo is based on the anime television series "Paul's Miraculous Adventure" that aired on Fuji Television from October 3, 1976 to September 11, 1977. Seen behind the clear lens sidecap of the yo-yo are the show's main characters from the series: Nina, Paul, Pakkun (the pink-faced teddy bear), and Doppe or Doppy (pronounced dopey; a Saint Bernard dog). The kanji above the characters on the yo-yo translates to Paul's Miraculous Adventure; the kanji below the characters translates to Copyright Tatsunoko.
Show's premise: On Paul's birthday, his parents give him a teddy bear as a gift. The teddy bear, known as Pakkun, appears to be an ordinary stuffed toy. However, he is actually the keeper of a portal that exists between Earth and an alternate universe known as the "Land of Wonders". Paul, his female best friend Nina, and Pakkun, explore the alternate universe until Nina is kidnapped by the demonic ruler known as Belt Satan. After making an unsuccessful attempt to save Nina, Paul and Pakkun are forced to return home to Earth. Paul is confronted by Nina's parents, who blame him for her disappearance and accuse him of murdering her. Paul, Pakkun, and Nina's dog Doppe (a Saint Bernard dog) return to the Land of Wonders, fighting monsters with his powerful yo-yo so he can defeat Belt Satan and save Nina.
Although less globally recognized compared to other Tatsunoko series, Paul's Miraculous Adventure gained a loyal fanbase in Japan and inspired a range of merchandise, including toys like yo-yos, stationery, and model kits. The show's mix of fantasy and storytelling made it a memorable part of 1970s anime culture.
The Bandai logo that is printed on the sculpted header card was used by Bandai from 1961-1980. Bandai licensed the imagery of Paul, Nina, Pakkun, and Doppe from Tatsunoko for use on the red bodied plastic yo-yo. The body shape is very similar to the Duncan Professional. Also came with an instruction sheet.
A nice, early Bandai-branded yo-yo and very hard to find.
Following this yo-yo's release, it would take twenty years before Japan's youth would go crazy for yo-yos during their monumental yo-yo boom from 1997 to 2001. Today, many of the world's very best yo-yo models and yo-yo players now come from Japan and other parts of Asia.
See also Bandai's Paul's Miraculous Adventure - 'P' yo-yo. | |
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