Maja the Bee turns 50: The beloved children's series still buzzes on

The animated series "Die Biene Maja" celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking its first German broadcast on September 9, 1976, with the iconic theme song by Karel Gott still widely popular. The show, an international production ordered by German broadcaster ZDF, developed in Los Angeles and animated in Japan, follows the curious honeybee Maja and her adventures with friends like the drone Willi. It was based on Waldemar Bonsels' 1912 book and originally aired in Switzerland a year later. The franchise has expanded into comics, films, video games, and a 3D series, with new projects like "Arnie & Barney" planned by rights holders Studio 100 and Animaj to ensure Maja's global relevance for decades to come.