Reksio

Reksio is a Polish cartoon character who is the protagonist of the children's animated adventure-comedy Polish TV series of the same name. Reksio was created by Polish director Lechosław Marszałek. Its 65 episodes were designed and produced from 1967 to 1990 in a Polish animated films studio, more specifically in Studio Filmów Rysunkowych (situated in the city of Bielsko-Biała) which also created Bolek and Lolek (there are even cameo appearances of Bolek and Lolek in Reksio).[a][b][c]
All episodes describe the adventures of a friendly and courageous piebald terrier dog named Reksio along with his human owners (a middle class Polish family throughout most of the main series) and his animal friends, mostly living in the same courtyard as him, namely hens, cats, or other dogs (and their owners as well). Along with Lolek and Bolek, Reksio has achieved cult status in Poland. Additionally, there is even a crisps brand named after him in Poland.[1] Furthermore, a series of educational, adventure, and puzzle video games for children were also created by Aidem Media from Gdańsk which are based on and star Reksio.[2]
These educational video games were distributed even outside Poland, to other Central European and Eastern European countries (even to Russia) during the early to mid 2000s. In Romania, for example, they were distributed in educational gaming magazines for children by Erc Press.[3] There was an additional second wave of video games developed by Aidem Media throughout the late 2000s and even early 2010s.
== History ==
[edit]
The history of Reksio began when the idea of Reksio was first thought of by the creator of the series who was Polish animated film director and screen writer Lechosław Marszałek. The inspiration for the character Reksio came from a female rough-haired fox terrier dog named Trola. She belonged to the creator, main producer, and writer of the series. The first episode of the series, Reksio poliglota, which was produced by Lechosław Marszałek and Studio Filmów Rysunkowych aired in 1967 on the national Polish television. This episode had poorer graphics and set design compared to the episodes that would be later produced throughout the 1970s. In addition, Reksio also looked different, sporting a collar that he did not wear in later episodes.[4] While a noticeable improvement in terms of graphics can be clearly seen throughout the late 1960s, it was later during the early 1970s (more specifically in 1972) that the animated TV series would significantly evolve, also with a better intro with its own music theme.[5]
All episodes that were produced until 1971 were produced by Lechosław Marszałek. In total, Marszałek directed 19 episodes and co-directed 1 episode, the most of any other director involved in the production of the animated series. Almost all of the episodes of the animated series can be watched on YouTube on the official channel of Studio Filmów Rysunkowych.[6] The years 1972 and 1974 were the most productive ones for the main series, throughout which 7 new episodes were produced and released during each year. Each episode ends with 'Koniec' (which is Polish for '(The) End').
== Media appearances ==
[edit]
link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bielsko-Bia%C5%82a_Reksio.jpg|thumb|Reksio's statue in the city of Bielsko-Biała, Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland (November 2018)
The character of Reksio has appeared not only in television, but also in various computer games, as statue or mascot, and other related media. These include the following:
* A "Reksio" television series consisting of 65 episodes.
* A series of educational video games that star the character of Reksio which was produced by Aidem Media in Poland.[7][8] This series of educational video games had also been exported to other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, such as in Romania, where they have been distributed by Erc Press.[9]
* A series of adventure and puzzle games produced by Aidem Media that star Reksio. These games include the "City of Secrets" series.[10][11]
* A bronze statue of Reksio situated in a square named "Plac Reksia" located in the Polish city of Bielsko-Biała. Reksio is pointing towards a fountain next to the statue.
Category:1967 cartoons
Category:Studio Filmów Rysunkowych Cartoons