Pinocchio: The Series

Mokku of the Oak Tree, also known as Mokku Woody the Oak Tree, or Saban's Adventures of Pinocchio in the United States, is a 52 episode anime series by Tatsunoko Productions first aired on Fuji Television in 1972. The story is based on the novel The Adventures of Pinocchio by Italian author Carlo Collodi. Unlike the more cheerful lighter tones of the Disney Version and Nippon Animation's version Piccolino no Bōken, this series has a distinctly sadistic darker theme and portrays the main character, Pinocchio, as suffering from constant physical and psychological abuse and freak accidents.

Directed by —, Pinocchio: The Series leans on a strong ensemble — Hiroko Maruyama, Minoru Yada, Masako Ikeda — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about animation titles of 1972.