On August 30, 1997, after 10 years of good and loyal service, the legendary Club Dorothée disappeared from the TF1 program schedule.
Symbol of an entire generation, the show aimed at young people introduced France to many manga that are now emblematic. “Dragon Ball”, “The Knights of the Zodiac”, “Sailor Moon” and even “Nicky Larson”, the show by Dorothée and her comrades Jacky, Corbier and Ariane, offered fiction for all audiences.
Despite its success, the show was strongly criticized by certain associations and political figures, Familles de France and Ségolène Royal in the lead, for broadcasting cartoons deemed too violent for young people. The best example undoubtedly remains that of Ken the Survivor, a manga for adults in Japan, watered down for the occasion by the production company distributing the series in France. However, despite the censorship, the cartoon remained very evocative in terms of violence.
A colossal cultural heritage
Club Dorothée also broadcast numerous successful love series produced by AB Productions. This was the case with “Hélène and the Boys”, “Honey and the Bees” and even “First Kisses”. Other more “humorous” shows like “Salut les musculars” or “No pity for the croissants” also left an impression with their crazy character.
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Today, the cultural heritage left by the Dorothée club is colossal. The show enabled the democratization of Japanese comics, with France being the second largest manga consumer nation.behind Japan.
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