Tokyo, Japan – Tezuka Productions has released the rarely seen 1979 pilot anime, Unico: Black Cloud and White Feathers (also known as Kuroi Kumo Shiroi Hane), for a limited time on its official English YouTube channel. The streaming event, which began on August 9, 2025, serves to promote the release of Unico: Hunted, the second volume of the new Original English Language (OEL) reboot series.
A Glimpse into Unico’s Animated Origins
The 25-minute pilot film, directed by Toshio Hirata, offers fans a historical look at the beloved unicorn’s initial animated foray. Pre-dating the more widely known theatrical films, The Fantastic Adventures of Unico (1981) and Unico in the Island of Magic (1983), this ecologically themed short was originally conceived as a pilot for a potential anime television series.
The pilot adapts the “Black Rain and White Feathers” chapter of Osamu Tezuka’s original Unico manga, which was serialized in Sanrio’s Lyrica magazine from 1976 to 1979. In this story, Unico encounters a young girl named Chiko in Canada who is suffering from an illness caused by pollution emanating from a nearby factory. Determined to help her, Unico sets out to destroy the factory and save Chiko’s life.
The Enduring Legacy of Unico
Unico, a character created by the prolific “God of Manga” Osamu Tezuka, is a magical unicorn with the power to bring happiness to those who love him. However, his benevolent gift often leads to his banishment by the jealous Goddess Venus, who commands the West Wind (Zephyrus) to transport him to different times and places, wiping his memory with each new destination. This episodic structure allowed Tezuka to explore various themes and settings, often with an underlying tone of sadness despite the character’s charming nature.
The original Unico manga was drawn in a Western style, published in full color, and read from left to right, a departure from typical Japanese manga at the time, reflecting Tezuka’s intention to appeal to American audiences and his admiration for Walt Disney.
Promotional Push for ‘Unico: Hunted’
The limited-time YouTube stream of Unico: Black Cloud and White Feathers is a strategic move to generate excitement for Unico: Hunted. This second volume of the OEL reboot series is written by Samuel Sattin and illustrated by Gurihiru, and it continues the modern reimagining of Tezuka’s classic work. The first volume of the reboot series was released in 2024, with an animated trailer uploaded to Scholastic’s YouTube channel.
Fans interested in experiencing this foundational piece of Unico animation should seek out the pilot on Tezuka Productions’ official English YouTube channel before it is removed.
