Unico in the Island of Magic in English, which was released on July 16, 1983. In this film, Unico meets a kind-hearted young girl named Cheri. Cheri’s older brother, Toby, is working for the evil Lord Kuruku, who plans to turn all living creatures, animals and people alike, into zombie-like beings called “Living Puppets” to be his slaves; Toby’s job is to change people into Living Puppets and then lure the Living Puppets to Kuruku’s island castle. After Cheri’s parents and neighbors all get turned into Living Puppets, she and Unico team up to stop Kuruku. Seeking advice from the Trojan Horse, Unico and Cheri learn that Kuruku is a puppet who was mistreated by his owners and discarded. He washed up at the edge of the world – where all unwanted “junk” ends up eventually – and was brought to life with the power of sunlight, determined to take revenge on the human race. With help from the Sphinx’s daughter, Unico – who realizes that Kuruku is really just a lonely, friendless creature – is able to break Kuruku’s spell, but since Kuruku’s hate was the only thing that kept him alive, Kuruku reverts to puppet form, and Cheri keeps him as a toy. Soon afterward, the West Wind finds Unico and spirits him away once again.

Continue reading →