Superbook (1981)
Superbook, also known as Animated Parent and Child Theatre, is an anime television series initially produced by Tatsunoko Productions in Japan in conjunction with the Christian Broadcasting Network in the United States and more recently solely produced by CBN for global distribution and broadcast. The series chronicled the events of the Bible's Old and New Testaments in its 52 episode run. The first 26 episodes aired from October 1, 1981 to March 29, 1982. The series returned as Superbook II with 26 episodes to air from April 4, 1983 to September 26, 1983. Between both series in the first run was the companion series The Flying House. The Christian Broadcasting Network is currently producing a new Superbook series and has released fourteen episodes.
- Katsue Miwa Azusa Yamato
- Masako Sugaya Sho Asuka
- Hiroshi Masuoka Zenmai Jikake
Stars:
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Episode 1 - Where, Oh Where...
Release Date: 1983-04-04When Superbook falls onto a computer keyboard, Ruffles, a dog, is accidentally transported back into the ancient time of Abram, the patriarch.
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Episode 2 - Hot Dog
Release Date: 1983-04-11The time-travelers come across the city of Sodom, which is about to be destroyed because of its wickedness.
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Episode 3 - The Test of Faith and Obedience
Release Date: 1983-04-18The children again come across Abraham, Sarah, and a newly arrived son, named Isaac. Later, the children witness Abraham's nearly attempted sacrifice of Isaac.
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Episode 4 - Love at First Sight
Release Date: 1983-04-25The children travel to the Mesopotamian city of Nahor, where they witness a group of people seeking a suitable wife for Abraham's son, Isaac.
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Episode 5 - Father's Pet
Release Date: 1983-05-02The children witness the story of Jacob and his beloved son, Joseph, and how Joseph's jealous brothers sell Joseph into slavery in Egypt.
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Episode 6 - All About Dreams
Release Date: 1983-05-09The children travel to Pharaoh's palace in ancient Egypt where they see Joseph thrown into prison unjustly, only to later be released and given a high position of honor as governor.
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Episode 7 - The Hostage
Release Date: 1983-05-16The time-travelers witness how Joseph, governor of Egypt, successfully deals with famine in Egypt. Also, they witness how Joseph will deal with his lost brothers who came to Egypt for grain.
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Episode 8 - The Family Reunion
Release Date: 1983-05-23The children experience how Joseph tests his brothers to determine whether they are repentant about selling Joseph into slavery years earlier.
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Episode 9 - A Gift From Heaven
Release Date: 1983-05-30The children witness how Egypt no longer welcomes the children of Israel, and how the Israelites are now enslaved and treated brutally. A young man names Moses is coming forth to change things.
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Episode 10 - The Burning Bush
Release Date: 1983-06-06The children witness Moses at the burning bush and Moses' demands to Pharaoh to let the Israelites out of bondage and out of Egypt.
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Episode 11 - No More Plagues
Release Date: 1983-06-13The time-travelers experience the many plagues sent upon Egypt to punish Pharaoh for not releasing the enslaved Israelites.
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Episode 12 - So You Want To Go Back To Egypt!
Release Date: 1983-06-20The children witness how the Red Sea parted to provide the Israelites an escape from the Egyptians, and how the closing of the parted sea downs the Egyptian army.
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Episode 13 - Snakes and a Donkey
Release Date: 1983-06-27The children experience a complaining group of Israelites, who are punished with poisonous snakes. But finally after 40 years, Israel begins to rally round Joshua, their new leaders.
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Episode 14 - Worth Fighting For
Release Date: 1983-07-04The time-travelers witness how Othniel conquers the Canaanite city of Debir because Caleb promised a daughter as a reward.
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Episode 15 - The Good Left Arm
Release Date: 1983-07-11The children witness Ehud's overthrow of King Eglon of Moab. A rebellion has erupted and the Israelites are fighting for their freedom
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Episode 16 - Stick in the Mud
Release Date: 1983-07-18In this action-filled episode, the Israelites defeat an invading Canaanite army who gets trapped in the mud.
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Episode 17 - That's a Promise
Release Date: 1983-07-25The time-travelers are in ancient Israel when Israel is in a state of war, led by a great but rash general names Jephthah.
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Episode 18 - Just Rewards
Release Date: 1983-08-01The children witness the story of Eli and Samuel in the city of Shiloh.
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Episode 19 - A Wonderful Gift
Release Date: 1983-08-08The time-travelers nearly become involved in a war, and Israel demands that a king be established.
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Episode 20 - The Mighty Little Shepherd
Release Date: 1983-08-15The time-travelers meet a young boy named David, who skillfully uses musical instruments and weapons.
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Episode 21 - The Bigger They Come
Release Date: 1983-08-22The children witness the battle between David and Goliath, where the future of Israel as a nation rests upon the outcome.
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Episode 22 - Faithful and True
Release Date: 1983-08-29The children witness Saul's jealousy and hatred for David. Saul is determined to kill David, so David flees.
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Episode 23 - David the King
Release Date: 1983-09-05David, who has an opportunity to take Saul's life, spares Saul. Finally, David is proclaimed King of Israel after Saul dies in battle.
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Episode 24 - In All His Glory
Release Date: 1983-09-12The children experience the dedication of the temple and King Solomon's great wisdom.
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Episode 25 - The Wicked Queen
Release Date: 1983-09-19The children almost experience death when Queen Athaliah decides to kill her "rivals" for the throne, but eventually, the Queen is put to death and a just ruler is installed.
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Episode 26 - A Matter Of Time
Release Date: 1983-09-26The children find themselves in a country about to be invaded by the might Assyrian army. However, God intervenes and destroys the Assyrians. The children then return to the 20th Century.