Episode 1
Mama, Don't Go
25m7.0 / 10
Nine-year-old Marco is thrilled to go on a family picnic, not knowing that it will be the last one before his mother Anna leaves Italy to work abroad.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
TV series
3000 Leagues in Search of Mother
19761 season7.7 / 10
Italy is in a deep depression, so to support her family, Marco's mother goes to Argentina to work as a domestic. But after she writes to her family that she is sick, her letters stop coming. So Marco decides to go to Argentina to look for her. He travels across Argentina to find her, meeting many wonderful people, and having many adventures during his journey.
Availability
Not streaming in United States
Checked Sep 1, 2026
3000 Leagues in Search of Mother premiered January 4, 1976. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Synopsis
Italy is in a deep depression, so to support her family, Marco's mother goes to Argentina to work as a domestic. But after she writes to her family that she is sick, her letters stop coming. So Marco decides to go to Argentina to look for her. He travels across Argentina to find her, meeting many wonderful people, and having many adventures during his journey.
Season 1 episodes
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Where to watch 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother
Episode 2
Marco, a Boy from Genoa
25m8.0 / 10
A year has passed since Anna left. Marco thinks about becoming a postman after receiving a letter from her on the day his older brother visits home.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 3
Sunday at the Harbor
25m7.0 / 10
Marco sets out on his first job to deliver an urgent letter for Gina. A fun day at the beach begins when he finally returns in the afternoon.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 4
I Hate You, Papa
25m7.0 / 10
Marco wants to work to help his mother come home sooner, but his father won't listen.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 5
My Good Friend, Emilio
25m8.0 / 10
Emilio helps Marco get a job washing bottles after school. Marco's father Pietro buys him a world map and the two bond for the first time in a while.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 6
Marco's Payday
25m7.0 / 10
Marco has an ominous dream about his mother, and he worries when there is no new letter from her.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 7
Watching the Ocean from the Roof
25m8.0 / 10
Poor Marco can barely see the ocean from his new place. He goes from roof to roof to find a better view and meets Fiorina the puppeteer along the way.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 8
The Peppino Puppet Troupe
25m7.0 / 10
Marco's monkey delights onlookers by dancing in the puppet show. Peppino the puppet master invites Marco to dinner to show his gratitude.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 9
I'm Sorry, Papa
25m9.0 / 10
When Marco shows Pietro's friend the way to the hospital, he is touched to discover his father testing a new treatment on himself to save a patient.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 10
Mama Is in Buenos Aires
25m8.0 / 10
Concetta goes out on the streets despite having a cold. Her symptoms worsen, but the family can't afford a doctor. Marco goes to the clinic for help.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 11
A Letter from Mama
25m8.0 / 10
Fiorina must put on a show alone because everyone else is ill. Just as she gets safely through it with Marco's help, bad news arrives about Anna.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 12
The Airship
25m7.0 / 10
Marco once again considers going to Argentina. Emilio asks Renato to help Marco get to Argentina after having huge success with his ice cream sales.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 13
Goodbye, Fiorina
25m7.0 / 10
Joy over the group trip to Argentina is cut short when Renato goes back on his word. Marco gives Amedeo a letter for Anna and entrusts him to Peppino.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 14
Marco's Decision
25m7.0 / 10
When Marco reveals that he'd meant to be on the ship to Argentina, Pietro begins laying the groundwork to go himself.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 15
The Forgole
25m8.0 / 10
Marco is discovered by Leonardo, but the ship's head cook is impressed by his persistence. Pietro learns the extent of his son's determination.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 16
The Young Cook
25m8.0 / 10
The head cook is touched by Marco's love for his mother and takes him under his wing.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 17
Neptune's Revel
25m7.0 / 10
Marco grows fond of his new life aboard the ship.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 18
The Immigrant Ship to Rio
25m7.0 / 10
The ship arrives in Rio de Janeiro. Marco's friends help him look for another ship headed to Buenos Aires.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 19
The Shining Stars of the Southern Cross
25m6.0 / 10
The ship Marco boards in Rio is full of sick people and the meals are dismal. Marco meets a lost little boy named Nino aboard the crowded ship.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 20
The Stormy Night
25m7.0 / 10
Six days after leaving Rio, the ship sustains heavy damage due to violent weather.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 21
Rio de La Plata
25m7.0 / 10
Marco begs for the ship to go faster after waking from a terrifying nightmare.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 22
The Town Where Mother Is
25m8.0 / 10
The ship finally arrives in Buenos Aires. The person who knows Anna's whereabouts has run away, and Marco loses all his money to a pickpocket.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 23
Another Mother
25m8.0 / 10
Marco is at his wit's after losing all his money. Then he hears about a woman named Anna who has been taken to the hospital, and rushes to see her.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 24
Fiorina Is Waiting
25m8.0 / 10
After being left with absolutely no information on his mother's whereabouts, Marco hears a rumor about a familiar puppet show in the area.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 25
The Peppino Troupe Makes a Big Hit
25m7.0 / 10
Peppino and his family decide to accompany Marco to Bahía Blanca.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 26
To the Pampas
25m7.0 / 10
The day has come to leave for Bahía Blanca.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 27
Fiorina's Tears
25m7.0 / 10
Peppino has an idea to start a show based on Marco's life. Fiorina breaks down and cries for the real Marco during practice for her role as Marco.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 28
The Barbossa Ranch
25m8.0 / 10
Fiorina's heart breaks further as Peppino decides to write the death of Marco's mother into the puppet play to elicit more emotion.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 29
Snow Falls
25m8.0 / 10
Marco and his friends finally find shelter after running out of water. Gaucho Carlos revitalizes the group with hot food and wonderful music.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 30
Old Gaucho Carlos
25m8.0 / 10
Marco and his friends are able to make their way to an inn after Carlos repairs their carriage.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 31
A Long Night
25m7.0 / 10
Peppino and his troop stay the night in an abandoned place with a caved-in roof. Marco and Peppino decide to keep quiet about a harrowing encounter.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 32
Saying Goodbye
25m7.0 / 10
An Italian immigrant family suggests paying Mr. Moretti a visit for possible information on Marco's mother.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 33
Mama Is Not Here
25m7.0 / 10
Marco visits Mr. Moretti soon after arriving in Bahía Blanca, but he provides no information on his mother or uncle's whereabouts.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 34
I Want to Go Back to Genoa
25m8.0 / 10
Peppino's words have no effect on Marco. When Fiorina expresses her concern, Marco breaks down crying that his mother is probably already dead.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao TakahataGuest stars Tetsuya Kaji
Episode 35
Mama's Handwriting
25m7.0 / 10
Marco meets a vagrant in town. After hearing his story, the man gives Marco a letter from his mother as well as new information on her whereabouts.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao TakahataGuest stars Tetsuya Kaji
Episode 36
Farewell, Bahia Blanca
25m8.0 / 10
The news of his mother brings Marco's time with Fiorina closer toward its end. Marco starts working at a coal mine to cover his travel expenses.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao TakahataGuest stars Tetsuya Kaji
Episode 37
Endless Journey
25m7.0 / 10
Marco arrives in Buenos Aires, only to discover that his mother had already moved on to Córdoba.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 38
Mama's Hardship
25m7.0 / 10
Marco learns the deep extent of his mother's patience when he meets her cruel former employer before setting out to sail once again.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 39
Rosy Dawn in Rosario
25m7.0 / 10
The captain becomes angry about Marco getting a free ride to Rosario, but changes his attitude upon discovering that Marco is a fellow Genoese.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 40
The Star of Italy
25m9.0 / 10
Marco gets turned away at the door at the mansion in Rosario. Federico scrounges up enough money to cover Marco's train fare to Córdoba.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 41
If I Could Go Home with Mother...
25m7.0 / 10
Marco strengthens his resolve to find his mother after his chance meeting with a woman and her children during the train ride to Córdoba.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 42
A New Friend, Pablo
25m7.0 / 10
Mequinez had moved long before Marco's arrival in Córdoba. In the town, Marco meets a boy named Pablo and develops a strange relationship with him.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 43
Somewhere in This Town
25m7.0 / 10
To raise some money, Pablo looks for work in the fields. Unfortunately, the period is the wrong one and so he tries his luck fishing.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 44
Helping Fuana
25m8.0 / 10
The house is not inhabited by the person Marco is looking for, but by an architect. The man, who appreciates the efforts of the little traveler, also offers him the money to travel to Tucuman.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 45
Going North
25m7.0 / 10
The train attendants find Marco during an inspection and the boy ends up going down thirty kilometers from the destination.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 46
The Trip on the Oxcart
25m7.0 / 10
During the journey, Marco falls ill for a few days and the herdsmen who take him with them must take care of his recovery.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 47
Mama Lives at the Foot of the Mountain
25m7.0 / 10
After traveling for days, Marco leaves the group of herdsmen to get to Tucuman.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 48
Don't Die, My Burro
25m7.0 / 10
The journey to the village of Tucuman proves to be more hard than expected.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 49
Mama Is Calling Me
25m8.0 / 10
Having lost his donkey, Marco has to walk on foot.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 50
Run, Marco, Run!
25m7.0 / 10
Exhausted and under the snow, Marco is collected by a young man on horseback. On the way, a local elder has his nephew take him to Tucuman.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 51
Mama's Smile
25m7.0 / 10
The long journey is over. The residence of the Mequinez is now visible and Marco reaches his mother.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode 52
Back to Genoa with Mama
25m8.0 / 10finale
After the recovery, Marco's mother can resume normal life. The Mequinez family, out of gratitude, gives the ticket to Genoa to both of them, with the promise of returning to Argentina.
Episode credits
Directed by Isao Takahata
Episode information updated Sep 17, 2026
Available now in United States
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More about 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother
Cast
Yoshiko MatsuoMarco Rossi (voice)
Kazuyuki SogabeTonio Rossi (voice)Yukiko NikaidoAnna Rossi (voice)
Kiyoshi KawakuboPietro Rossi (voice)
Akiko TsuboiNarrator (voice)
Noriko OharaConcetta (voice)
Mie AzumaPablo García (voice)
Ichiro NagaiPeppino (voice)Credits
- Written by
- Edmondo De Amicis
Production details
- Status
- Ended
- Series type
- Scripted
- Episodes
- 52
- Original language
- Japanese
- Original title
- 母をたずねて三千里
Networks & production
Tokyo Channel 12Japan
Nippon AnimationJapan
Themes
andes mountainsanimebased on novel or bookkodomomother child separationsearch for mothertravelingtrip to argentina