When Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey was announced, many fans expected it to be one of the most epic Greek mythology adaptations ever made. However, few know that over 40 years ago, an anime did something similar, and even more daringly, by setting the entire story of Odysseus in outer space.
That anime is Ulysses 31, a collaborative animated series produced by France, Japan, and Luxembourg, which aired from 1981 to 1982. Although it only ran for 26 episodes, the series remains one of the most unique adaptations of Homer’s legendary epic.
Ulysses 31 – When Odyssey Becomes a Sci-Fi Adventure
While Christopher Nolan chose a cinematic epic style set in ancient times, Ulysses 31 took a completely different path.
The story unfolds in the 31st century, where Odysseus, now called Ulysses, is the captain of the spaceship Odyssey. After defeating the Cyclops to rescue enslaved children, including his son Telemachus, he accidentally angers the gods of Olympus.
Zeus immediately punishes Ulysses by freezing the entire crew and erasing the ship’s navigation data needed to return home.
From that moment on, Ulysses must wander the galaxy with his son Telemachus, the psychic alien girl Yumi, his brother Numinor, and the small robot Nono, seeking the Kingdom of Hades, the only place that can break the gods’ curse.
Staying True to Odyssey While Embracing Creativity
What makes Ulysses 31 fascinating is that, although it draws from The Odyssey, it never strictly follows the original.
About half the episodes are directly inspired by Homer’s epic but reimagined with a sci-fi twist. Familiar locations become planets, and mythical monsters take on entirely new forms.
Viewers will see Sisyphus still condemned to push his giant boulder as eternal punishment, but now in space. Aeolus is no longer just the god of winds but a character who kidnaps Ulysses to attend a birthday party. Even the Sphinx’s riddle, originally from Oedipus mythology, is woven into Ulysses’ journey.
Most notably, Scylla and Charybdis are transformed from sea monsters and deadly whirlpools into two massive, perilous planets.
Distinctive Japanese Anime Style
One key factor that helped Ulysses 31 leave a strong impression is its character design.
The anime was created by Shingo Araki and Michi Himeno, who later became famous for their work on Saint Seiya. Their designs blend classic Japanese anime aesthetics with the beauty of ancient Greek statues, creating a look that stood out from many cartoons of the era.
The futuristic setting with spaceships, laser beams, and advanced technology adds a unique appeal, making the series a rare fusion of Western mythology and Japanese sci-fi.
Despite its short run of 26 episodes, Ulysses 31 aired in countries like the US, UK, and Ireland, and was later released on DVD, allowing it to maintain a loyal fanbase for decades.
To this day, the series is celebrated for its bold concept and fresh take on one of history’s greatest literary works.