Sagwa, one of the best cartoons still airing on the Futura channel. In fact, all the shows on Futura are excellent. It tells the story of a Siamese kitten living in a Chinese province, residing in the home of the Mandarin, the province’s governor. This children’s series is based on the book Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat by Amy Tan, and presents various moral and ethical lessons through the playful relationships between its characters.
The main characters are: Sagwa, the protagonist—a gentle, somewhat clumsy kitten with a big heart and remarkable skill in calligraphy, painting Chinese characters perfectly with her tail dipped in ink, admired by all; Fu‑Fu, her best friend, a bespectacled bat who is affectionate and also a bit clumsy; her siblings Sheegwa (the younger sister responsible for the biggest mischief) and Dongua (the mischievous brother who teases her the most, but nonetheless loves her); Mother and Father Meow, Sagwa’s always caring and protective parents; the Mandarin and his family; and their household staff.
The episodes are short, with simple plots that are nonetheless very effective, always emphasizing the importance of friendship, love, family, and noble values like honesty, forgiveness, and gratitude. Sagwa and her siblings face various challenges that test their principles—jealousy, loss, prohibitions, and fears. Through their actions and acknowledgement of mistakes, they strive to make amends and restore what was broken by their own missteps. These are powerful lessons delivered through an animated series.
Best of all, the show beautifully integrates and respects Chinese culture, creating an authentic traditional atmosphere—especially notable given this is an American production. Whenever you feel sad or discouraged, watch an episode of Sagwa: it’s always comforting. Sagwa’s warmth transcends the screen, filling us with hope and reminding us of the power of friendship and the importance of family.
Do you remember this classic cartoon? 🙂