The Littl' Bits

Did You Know?

• A few episodes were released on VHS in the early 1990s in North America by Saban Video, distributed by Video Treasures.
• Three DVDs containing two episodes each were released in the United Kingdom by Boulevard Entertainment.

Synopsis

The series follows a race of little people living in a simple village in Foothill Forest, centering on a group of children: Lillabit, Willibit, Snagglebit, Chip, and Browniebit. Snagglebit, the spoiled son of the mayor, has a crush on Lillabit, but she is best friends with Willibit, the moral role model and main protagonist. Willibit and Snagglebit often clash, especially over Lillabit, though they generally get along. Snagglebit's companions include the short, cowardly Browniebit and Chip, who idolizes Dr. Snoozabit and wants to become a doctor. Teenybit, Willibit's younger sister, befriends Scarybit, an ill-tempered old woman assumed to be a witch and shunned by most villagers. The children are watched over by older Littl' Bits such as Dr. Snoozabit, Chopabit, Bakeabit, Grumpabit, Helpabit, Elderbit, and Mayor Bossabit. Dr. Snoozabit, Lillabit's uncle, has a drinking problem (rewritten as sleepiness in the English version). He raised Lillabit from infancy, telling her her parents died shortly after her birth. In the second-to-last episode, it is revealed that Lillabit's parents are alive and are Wanderbits, descendants of the Builderbit race exiled from Foothill Forest. The villagers allow them to stay, and Lillabit is reunited with them just before a devastating earthquake in the final episode forces everyone to rebuild.

Characters

Lillabit (Japanese: Berufi) is a sweet, orphaned girl who lives with her uncle Dr. Snoozabit and can speak to animals. She is even-tempered but sometimes loses her temper with her uncle due to his laziness. Willibit (Japanese: Lillibit) is the brave, impetuous male protagonist and Lillabit's best friend. Snagglebit (Japanese: Napoleon) is the spoiled son of Mayor Bossabit, who has a crush on Lillabit and sees Willibit as a rival. Chip (Japanese: Mokkin), son of Chopabit, idolizes Dr. Snoozabit and becomes his assistant in one episode. Browniebit (Japanese: Shimejiru) is a short, cowardly member of Snagglebit's gang. Teenybit (Japanese: Chuchuna) is Willibit's precocious younger sister who befriends the village outcast Scarybit. Dr. Snoozabit (Japanese: Docklin) is Lillabit's uncle, a skilled but lazy doctor who enjoys dandelion wine (called dandelion juice in the English version). Mayor Bossabit (Japanese: Meimondo-sonchō) is Snagglebit's widowed father and the village mayor. Scarybit (alternate name: Margie) is a superstitious old woman assumed to be a witch.

Episodes

The first episode, 'The Children's Festival' (January 7, 1980), involves Snagglebit trying to sabotage Willibit's chance to become King of the festival. In 'Doctor Snoozabit' (January 14, 1980), Chip demands to become the doctor's assistant. 'The Old Mill Stream' (January 21, 1980) sees the children investigating why the mill stream has dried up. 'The Rainbow Firefly' (January 28, 1980) has the children sneaking into a cave to see the fabled Rainbow Firefly. 'Election Day' (February 4, 1980) features Snagglebit running away when no one votes for his father. 'Scarybit the Witch' (February 11, 1980) follows Teenybit's curiosity about the mysterious old woman. 'Winter Strawberries' (February 18, 1980) involves a quest for legendary strawberries to revive friends in a coma. 'The Snow Woman' (February 25, 1980) has Willibit rescuing Lillabit from the legendary Snow Woman. 'Save the Raccoon!' (March 3, 1980) involves a hockey game to save a raccoon. 'Madame Bella the Weaver' (March 10, 1980) features a jealous granddaughter trying to prevent Lillabit from becoming head weaver. 'The Baby Bears' (March 17, 1980) has Lillabit befriending a bear cub. 'Looking at the Stars' (March 24, 1980) involves children wanting to erect a telescope on a sacred mountain.

Cast

The Japanese voice cast includes Yōko Asagami as Belfy (Lillabit), Mayumi Tanaka as Lillibit (Willibit), Sachiko Chijimatsu as Napoleon (Snagglebit), Tsuneko Shitomi as Chuchuna (Teenybit), Kaneta Kimotsuki as Daggurin, Ryuji Saikachi as Ronji (Elderbit), and Minoru Nishio as Mayor Meimondo (Mayor Bossabit). The English dub cast includes Anik Matern as Lillabit, Liz MacRae as Willibit, Arthur Holden as Snagglebit, Sonja Ball as Browniebit, Terrence Scammell as Dr. Snoozabit, and Walter Massey as Narrator. Rachelle Cano performed the lead vocals for the opening and closing themes.