Diabolik (TV series)

Diabolik (also known as Saban's Diabolik and Diabolik: Track of the Panther; French: Diabolik: Sur les Traces de la Panthère, lit. "Diabolik: In the Footsteps of the Panther") is an animated television series based on the Italian comic book series of the same name by Angela and Luciana Giussani. Developed by Charles Corton and written by Jean Cheville and Florence Sandis, the series was an international co-production between Saban Entertainment, Saban International Paris, M6 Métropole Télévision and Mediaset, with Asiatic animation services by Ashi Productions and Saerom Animation.

Production on the show began in 1997. In Europe, it premiered on Fox Kids on May 5, 1999, and lasted for 40 episodes before ending on January 1, 2001. Ownership of the series passed to Disney in 2001 when the company acquired Fox Kids Worldwide, which also includes Saban Entertainment. Although it was co-produced in the U.S., it never aired in that country.

The series that focuses on master thief Diabolik and his woman companion Eva, as they fight the criminal organisation Brotherhood and its leader Dane, while evading Inspector Ginko. The series differs considerably from the darker-toned comic, making it more suitable for a young audience; the main differences include the rejuvenation of Diabolik and Eva Kant, the introduction of new characters (such as the main antagonist Dane), the replacement of Diabolik's Jaguar E-Type with a fictional modern car, the absence of murders by the title character, and the setting in the real world rather than fictional locations.