The Barbapapa Family
If you’re one of the lucky ones who had the chance to watch the cartoon series Barbapapa, then you will understand why this cartoon is still vivid in my memories as one of my favorite childhood cartoons. You can pretty much describe them as a family of colorful blobs that could change their bodies into any shape imaginable to help others.
Barbapapa is both the title of this cartoon series and also the head character’s name who is the papa of the family. The name Barbapapa was derived from the French word for Cotton Candy by the creators, Annette Tison and Talus Taylor. They originally created these characters for a series of childrens books written in French and translated into 30 different languages in the early 70’s.
The international success of these books stirred interest in a Netherlands based animation company called Polyscope who produced a cartoon version and became very popular all over Europe and in Japan. It was syndicated in the early 80’s in the US but was unsuccessful.
Barbapapa is still very popular in Japan and you can find these characters at Sony Plaza stores all over Tokyo.
Barbapapa and Barbamama
Barbapapa’s pink, he’s in the pink, he’s pinker than flamingo pink. “Clickety Click—Barba Trick” is what he says when he wants to transform into anything he wants.
Barbamama’s black as night, when it gets dark, she’s out of sight.
There is no problem that can’t be solved by this extraordinary couple. Thanks to a few adequate shape changes and their brilliant imagination, they can bring to an end even the most difficult of problems, and always in the gentlest manner!. They are forever willing to offer their friendship and services; and their good faith is beyond question. All this has not prevented them from become the attentive and tender parents of seven turbulent children.
Lolita
Lolita is the Barbapapa’s loyal pet dog. He’s a very hyper dog and often gets into trouble. Barbabravo is often seen with him on his detective adventures.
Barbazoo’s a yellow fellow
He is a specialist of the science of Nature! He knows all about the various animals and plants, the climate and the bad effects of pollution. In one word, he is a distinguished ecologist. Barbazoo is always ready to help. However his eagerness to protect nature can occasionally lead him to keep his brother Barbabright from trying dangerous experiments.
Barbalib is orange
Barbalib is an intellectual. She is usually deep in her books and she knows the answer to many questions. She can easily take a superior air. She often disputes with Barbabravo about who is the leader or boss. She can have a difficult character. Her brothers and sisters have to be careful not to walk on her toes! But she has a good sense of humor!
Barbalala is green
Barbalala loves music. She is talented at playing many kinds of instruments. But she is also interested in Botany and ecology like her brother Barbazoo. Barbalala has a dreamy happy temperment. She almost never gets angry. She has a pacific, calming influence over her brothers and sisters.
Barbabright’s true true blue
Barbabright is a scientist. Neither chemistry, astrophysics nor genetics are a secret to him! But sometimes his theories carry him too far and the consequences of his hazardous experiments can lead to catastrophic consequences! Happily, his brother Barbazoo, an ecologist, keeps close watch over his activities!
Barbabravo, he’s the one. Who’s redder than the setting sun.
Barbabravo loves sports. He usually likes to be the leader! And he is overly fond of eating! With his tools of Sherlock Holms (the hat and the magnifying glass) and with the help of his faithful hound Lolita, he tries to act like a great detective. Barbabravo is sometimes too proud of himself; but he is a good fellow!
Barbabelle is violet.
Barbabelle is the most beautiful. (At least it is she who thinks that!) She likes jewelry, and perfumes. She is very afraid of little hairy creatures like caterpillars and spiders, and she faints when she sees one! Barbabeau finds her foolish fears irritating!
Barbabeau is black and also furry, but since he always plays around with paint, he often looks a color that he ain’t.
Barbabeau is hairy. Barbabeau is an artist. Still within the torments of his creativeness, he has not yet found his way through cubism, hyperrealism, surrealism, expressionism or conceptualism! He is very sensitive! He sometimes gets too quick-tempered with the ironic comments of his sister Barbalib!
