Monkey, Series 2
(Nippon, 1979-1980)
Half the episodes were adapted into English only for the 2004 DVD release, the step-down in quality highlighting the sublime mastery of David Weir’s original work. The second-string opening and closing themes are spirit-dampening missteps (though ‘Holy and Bright’ has its charms).
Monkey, Series 1
(BBC, 1979)
With its beguiling opening and closing themes (by Japanese band Godiego) and mystic-synth incidental music (by keyboardist Mickie Yoshino), iconic costumes and fight scenes, moody landscapes, outrageously dubbed plot-lines and lashings of cod Buddhist philosophy, Monkey truly is a one-of-a-kind cult classic.
The New Legends of Monkey, Season 2
The plot this season is more coherent and engaging, though in an odd inversion of the 1970s production, Monkey’s vain, rather dim-witted character proves the weakest of the regulars. Josh Thomson is masterful as Pigsy, showcasing New Zealand’s distinct brand of humour.