- 6.9/1028 votes
#1 - Mama, Don't Go
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 1/4/1976
Nine-year-old Marco is thrilled to go on a family picnic, not knowing that it will be the last one before his mother Anna leaves Italy to work abroad.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 7.0/1029 votes
#2 - Marco, a Boy from Genoa
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 1/11/1976
A year has passed since Anna left. Marco thinks about becoming a postman after receiving a letter from her on the day his older brother visits home.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 5.2/1024 votes
#3 - Sunday at the Harbor
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 1/18/1976
Marco sets out on his first job to deliver an urgent letter for Gina. A fun day at the beach begins when he finally returns in the afternoon.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 6.8/1024 votes
#4 - I Hate You, Papa
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 1/25/1976
Marco wants to work to help his mother come home sooner, but his father won't listen.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 7.8/1025 votes
#5 - My Good Friend, Emilio
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 2/1/1976
Emilio helps Marco get a job washing bottles after school. Marco's father Pietro buys him a world map and the two bond for the first time in a while.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 7.4/1023 votes
#6 - Marco's Payday
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 2/8/1976
Marco has an ominous dream about his mother, and he worries when there is no new letter from her.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 5.7/1023 votes
#7 - Watching the Ocean from the Roof
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 2/15/1976
Poor Marco can barely see the ocean from his new place. He goes from roof to roof to find a better view and meets Fiorina the puppeteer along the way.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 7.2/1022 votes
#8 - The Peppino Puppet Troupe
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 2/22/1976
Marco's monkey delights onlookers by dancing in the puppet show. Peppino the puppet master invites Marco to dinner to show his gratitude.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 6.9/1022 votes
#9 - I'm Sorry, Papa
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 2/29/1976
When Marco shows Pietro's friend the way to the hospital, he is touched to discover his father testing a new treatment on himself to save a patient.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 7.5/1022 votes
#10 - Mama is in Buenos Aires
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 3/7/1976
Concetta goes out on the streets despite having a cold. Her symptoms worsen, but the family can't afford a doctor. Marco goes to the clinic for help.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 5.2/1022 votes
#11 - A Letter from Mama
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 3/14/1976
Fiorina must put on a show alone because everyone else is ill. Just as she gets safely through it with Marco's help, bad news arrives about Anna.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 7.0/1022 votes
#12 - The Airship
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 3/21/1976
Marco once again considers going to Argentina. Emilio asks Renato to help Marco get to Argentina after having huge success with his ice cream sales.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 6.9/1021 votes
#13 - Good-bye, Fiorina
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 3/28/1976
Joy over the group trip to Argentina is cut short when Renato goes back on his word. Marco gives Amedeo a letter for Anna and entrusts him to Peppino.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 7.4/1020 votes
#14 - Marco's Decision
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 4/4/1976
When Marco reveals that he'd meant to be on the ship to Argentina, Pietro begins laying the groundwork to go himself.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 7.8/1019 votes
#15 - The Forgole
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 4/11/1976
Marco is discovered by Leonardo, but the ship's head cook is impressed by his persistence. Pietro learns the extent of his son's determination.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 6.8/1018 votes
#16 - The Young Cook
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 4/18/1976
The head cook is touched by Marco's love for his mother and takes him under his wing.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 6.5/1017 votes
#17 - Neptune's Revel
Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 4/25/1976
Marco grows fond of his new life aboard the ship.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 6.9/1018 votes
#18 - The Immigrant Ship to Rio
Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 5/2/1976
The ship arrives in Rio de Janeiro. Marco's friends help him look for another ship headed to Buenos Aires.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 6.4/1018 votes
#19 - The Shining Stars of the Southern Cross
Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 5/9/1976
The ship Marco boards in Rio is full of sick people and the meals are dismal. Marco meets a lost little boy named Nino aboard the crowded ship.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 6.9/1018 votes
#20 - The Stormy Night
Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 5/16/1976
Six days after leaving Rio, the ship sustains heavy damage due to violent weather.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 4.6/1017 votes
#21 - Rio de La Plata
Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 5/23/1976
Marco begs for the ship to go faster after waking from a terrifying nightmare.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 4.8/1016 votes
#22 - The Town Where Mother Is
Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 5/30/1976
The ship finally arrives in Buenos Aires. The person who knows Anna's whereabouts has run away, and Marco loses all his money to a pickpocket.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 7.9/1018 votes
#23 - Another Mother
Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 6/6/1976
Marco is at his wit's after losing all his money. Then he hears about a woman named Anna who has been taken to the hospital, and rushes to see her.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 4.9/1018 votes
#24 - Fiorina is Waiting
Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 6/13/1976
After being left with absolutely no information on his mother's whereabouts, Marco hears a rumor about a familiar puppet show in the area.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
- 7.0/1017 votes
#25 - The Peppino Troupe Makes a Big Hit
Season 1 Episode 25 - Aired 6/20/1976
Peppino and his family decide to accompany Marco to Bahía Blanca.
Director: Isao Takahata
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother Season 1
Every episode of 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother Season 1!
Italy is in a deep depression, so to support her family, Marco's mother goes to Argentina to work as a domestic. But after she...
Genres:AnimationAction & AdventureDrama
Network:Tokyo Channel 12
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Mama, Don't Go" is the best rated episode of "3000 Leagues in Search of Mother" season 1. It scored 6.9/10 based on 28 votes. Directed by Isao Takahata and written by N/A, it aired on 1/4/1976. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Marco, a Boy from Genoa".