Esteban
main character
TV
7.5
My TrackerPLANNING
Episode: 0 / 39
My Score:
Anime DetailsFINISHED
- Format
- TV series
- Episodes
- 39
- Episode length
- 22 min
- Total watch time
- 14 h 18 min
- Status
- Finished
- Aired
- June 29, 1982 – June 7, 1983
- Season
- Summer 1982
- Source
- Other source
- Studio
- Studio Pierrot
- Director
- Hisayuki Toriumi
- Age rating
- PG — Teens 13 or older
- Country
- Japan
- AniList score
- 75/100
Estimated watch time
14h 18m
⚡ 8 days at 5 eps/day
Tags & Tropes
Foreign85%Historical79%Outdoor Activities79%Lost Civilization75%Anachronism73%Ships70%Mythology65%Male Protagonist63%Primarily Child Cast60%Educational53%
TVFINISHED1982 SUMMER7.5 / 10 AniList score
The Mysterious Cities of Gold
太陽の子エステバン• Taiyou no Ko Esteban
Synopsis
1532. Esteban (12) is a foundling from Barcelona, with a mysterious power of ordering the Sun to appear, for which he is called "Child of the Sun". Upon the death of his adoptive father, Esteban learns he was rescued as a baby from a sinking ship in the ocean. The mysterious medallion that Esteban wears since ever has a trace somewhere in the New World, probably coming from the Mysterious Cities of Gold. Esteban leaves Spain to find his parents and find out who he is. On the way he meets Zia, an Inca girl who was kidnapped from her people years back and has exactly the same medallion as him. Later on they are joined by Tao, a young Galapagos robinson, the last descendant of the Empire of Heva, an Empire said to have built the Cities of Gold. Following Coyolite, the shining star represented on their medallions, the three children travel through the unexplored New World, searching for the Cities of Gold, believing that this way is leading them to their lost parents. (Source: Anime News Network)
Should you watch The Mysterious Cities of Gold?
The Mysterious Cities of Gold has been well received, with an average AniList score of 75/100 — 58% of 1,427 ratings are 8/10 or higher.
Of the 2.7K AniList users who started it, 5.7% dropped it, so it is dropped at a typical rate; 2.2K have finished it.
At about 14 h 18 min in total, plan on one to two weeks at a couple of episodes a day.
Best for viewers who enjoy Adventure, Sci-Fi — especially foreign, historical, outdoor activities, lost civilization.
Where to Watch Officially
A streaming link is not listed for this title yet.
Episodes
39 episodes are listed.
Main cast & voice actors
Creators & key staff
- Director
- Hisayuki Toriumi
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The Mysterious Cities of Gold FAQ
How many episodes does The Mysterious Cities of Gold have?
The Mysterious Cities of Gold has 39 episodes of about 22 minutes each, roughly 14 h 18 min in total.
How long does it take to watch The Mysterious Cities of Gold?
About 14 h 18 min back to back. At two episodes a day it takes 20 days; at one hour a day, about 15 days.
Is The Mysterious Cities of Gold finished?
Yes. The Mysterious Cities of Gold has finished airing — the final episode aired June 7, 1983.
Is there a season 2 of The Mysterious Cities of Gold?
No sequel is listed for The Mysterious Cities of Gold as of October 2026.
Is The Mysterious Cities of Gold based on a other source?
Yes. The Mysterious Cities of Gold adapts the other source.
Who animated The Mysterious Cities of Gold?
The Mysterious Cities of Gold was animated by Studio Pierrot and directed by Hisayuki Toriumi.