As a sidenote, there is also some even earlier moomin series that aired only in japan, at least it hasnt been officially translated as far as i can find. The one from 1960. Its quite a whiplash from the moomin we know, I have read tove jansson really didnt like it for quite obvious reasons. At least they eventually reworked the series into what we know today.
If you are interested, you can find it pretty easy just by searching moomin 1960. Though if you dont feel like looking for it, here is ep. 5 as example
The 60s series was completely separate production, in which the Janssons had little involvement. The whole thing was written and produced in Japan. Once Tove saw it though, she refused to allow licensing it outside Japan. The reason it never spread or got translated is that she very deliberately tried to smother it, and mostly succeeded.
The 90s series was a direct collboration between the Janssons, a dutch producer, and a Japanese animation studio. Tove was much more directly involved.
As a sidenote, there is also some even earlier moomin series that aired only in japan, at least it hasnt been officially translated as far as i can find. The one from 1960. Its quite a whiplash from the moomin we know, I have read tove jansson really didnt like it for quite obvious reasons. At least they eventually reworked the series into what we know today.
If you are interested, you can find it pretty easy just by searching moomin 1960. Though if you dont feel like looking for it, here is ep. 5 as example
And if someone hasnt seen the actual series, here is episode 1 of that : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywfW1vyw37M&t=1s just so you dont get the wrong idea :D
The 60s series was completely separate production, in which the Janssons had little involvement. The whole thing was written and produced in Japan. Once Tove saw it though, she refused to allow licensing it outside Japan. The reason it never spread or got translated is that she very deliberately tried to smother it, and mostly succeeded.
The 90s series was a direct collboration between the Janssons, a dutch producer, and a Japanese animation studio. Tove was much more directly involved.