Animal Treasure Island 1971
Directed by
Hiroshi Ikeda
Made by
Toei Animation
Animal Treasure Island Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Animal Treasure Island (1971). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Jim, the young assistant of the keeper of the Admiral Bembo inn, and his mouse companion Gran(/actor/eiko-masuyama) (Rex in English) are awakened by a rough, one-legged stranger who asks for a room and warns them to keep an eye out for suspicious characters. The warning proves timely: a cloaked band of black-cloaked assassins arrives, and the stranger entrusts Jim with the care of a mysterious casket before facing the intruders. Jim and Gran narrowly escape the danger, hearts pounding as they flee back to the inn in ruins.
When they return, the inn is ransacked, and desperate to make amends they open the casket, hoping to find money to cover the damages. Instead, they uncover a map to a legendary treasure hidden by the infamous pirate Captain Flint. The discovery changes everything, turning a quiet night into a perilous quest.
With a steam-powered barrel boat and a stowaway in tow—the innkeeper’s infant son Baboo(/actor/sachiko-chijimatsu)—Jim and Gran set sail to seek the treasure. Their voyage is cut short when they are captured by the pirate crew led by Silver(/actor/asao-koike) and sold into slavery on Pirate Island. The danger deepens when the monocled Baron(/actor/joji-yanami) steals the map from Jim, hoping to curry favor with the pirate council by presenting it as a prize.
In a damp holding cell, Jim and Gran meet Kathy(/actor/fusako-amachi), the steadfast granddaughter of Captain Flint. The trio escapes, and Jim manages to reclaim the map as the pirate captains gather to scrutinize it. Yet Kathy quickly steals it back, and with no ship to reach the island, she takes on the Baron’s offer of transport—a ploy that is swiftly overturned by Silver’s own men. The voyage becomes a game of cat and mouse as Silver and his crew attempt to reclaim the map, but Kathy’s distrust of their motives and Jim’s secret aid repeatedly foil their schemes.
An assault by the pirate chairman nearly costs them everything, but Jim and Gran slip away and manage to render Silver and his crew unconscious with a sleeping potion. Just as they near the island, a violent storm shatters the ship. Jim, Gran, the innkeeper’s baby Baboo, and the walrus guardian Otto(/actor/kosei-tomita) survive the wreck, arriving on the coast just after Silver and Kathy—now their prisoner—have made it ashore.
In a tense exchange, Kathy offers to guide Silver to the treasure’s location in exchange for safety for her friends. Silver plots a double-cross, intending to seize the riches for himself, while Otto holds off the pirates’ advances. The pursuit climbs toward a volcanic peak where the treasure is supposedly hidden, with Jim chasing Silver as he and his monkey helmsman, Spider, ascend toward the crater’s rim.
The turning point comes when Kathy sacrifices the last clue to save Jim’s life. Yet the mechanism described by the pirates does not reveal the treasure immediately; instead, it drains the crater lake, exposing Flint’s sunken ship beneath. With the island’s power restored and the treasure finally visible, the group—including the reformed pirates who had doubted Silver—descends upon Flint’s sunken wreck and unearths the long-lost riches.
The film closes on a hopeful note as Jim and Kathy set sail aboard Silver’s ship, chasing a brighter future together. Behind them, Silver and Spider pursue in improvised log boats, their quarrels echoing across the churning sea as the treasure gleams in the distance. The tale blends friendship, courage, and a dash of clever cunning, inviting viewers to root for the underdogs who outwit fearsome foes and uncover a priceless prize.
Animal Treasure Island Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of Animal Treasure Island (1971) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Stranger's room request and intruders
That night, a rough one-legged stranger asks for a room and to watch out for suspicious characters. He tells Jim to guard the casket he's carrying before engaging the intruders. Jim and Gran narrowly escape as black-cloaked assassins storm the inn.
Casket opened reveals a map
Back at the inn, the place is ransacked and the casket is opened in hopes of money. Instead, Jim and Gran uncover a map to Captain Flint's treasure. The discovery turns a simple job into a treasure-hunting mission.
Escape to sea with a barrel boat
Jim and Gran set sail on their steam-powered barrel boat to pursue the treasure. The innkeeper's infant son Baboo secretly stows away on the vessel. They venture out into the open sea, chasing luck and danger.
Captured and sold on Pirate Island
Days into the voyage, Captain Silver's pirate crew intercepts them and takes control. Jim and Gran are brought to Pirate Island and sold into slavery. The dream of treasure becomes a grim new reality.
Baron steals the map in the prison
In their holding cell, the monocled Baron steals Jim's map to leverage a captaincy by presenting it to the pirates' council. The theft ignites a power play among the island's captains. Jim and Gran must navigate treachery to survive.
Kathy joins, escape, and map exchange
Jim and Gran meet Kathy, Flint's granddaughter, and escape from their cell. Jim recovers the map as captains gather, but Kathy steals it in the moment of opportunity. Loyalties are fractured as trust erodes on the island.
Baron's transport offer and Silver's power grab
Kathy accepts Baron's offer to transport to the island, but Silver swiftly moves to seize control of the voyage himself. The crew and captains shift alliances as the chase for the treasure tightens. Jim works in secret to tilt the odds in their favor.
Repeated map theft attempts thwarted
On the voyage, Silver and his crew repeatedly try to steal the map back. Jim's covert assistance helps foil the schemes, while Kathy remains wary of everyone involved. The tension on deck climbs as they near their destination.
Attack by captain chairman delays them
The pirate captain chairman launches an attack, but Jim and Gran counter by incapacitating Silver's crew with a sleeping potion. The onslaught falters, and the fugitives gain a temporary upper hand. The journey toward the island grows more perilous.
Storm wrecks the ship; survivors reach shore
Just before reaching the island, a violent storm rips the ship apart. Jim, Gran, Baboo, and Otto the walrus reach the shore just after Silver, his crew, and Kathy—now a prisoner—arrive on land. The odds shift again as rescue and rescuees converge.
Kathy bargains with Silver; betrayal looms
Kathy offers to lead Silver to the exact treasure location in exchange for safety. Silver plans to double-cross both Jim and his own crew to seize the prize for himself. The fragile arrangement teeters on the brink as trust breaks down.
Chase to the top of the extinct volcano
Otto holds off the pirates while Jim pursues Silver up the extinct volcano where the treasure is said to lie. Spider the monkey helms the mutinous crew's vessel as they race toward the summit. The chase climbs to a fever pitch amid volcanic terrain.
Kathy's sacrifice and the crater drains
Kathy sacrifices the final secret of recovering the treasure to save Jim's life. The mechanism fails to reveal the prize and instead drains the crater lake. Silver and Spider are swept out to sea as the lake opens to reveal what lies beneath.
Treasure revealed and reunion
The drained crater reveals Flint's sunken ship, and the long-lost treasure is recovered by Jim, Gran, Kathy, and the reformed pirates. They celebrate their victory and seal their newfound alliance. The prize marks a new beginning for the unlikely crew.
Animal Treasure Island Characters
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Jim (Minori Matsushima)
Jim is a young, resourceful apprentice whose quick wits and courage drive the treasure hunt. He is loyal to Gran, brave in the face of assassins, and determined to outsmart the pirate fleet to recover Flint's treasure.
Gran (Eiko Masuyama)
Gran is Jim's chatty mouse companion who speaks with boldness and curiosity. She allies with Jim, helps uncover the map's secrets, and adds humor and grit to the team's efforts.
Baboo (Sachiko Chijimatsu)
Baboo is the innkeeper's infant son who becomes a stowaway on the voyage. His presence intensifies the stakes and adds an emotional motivation for the journey.
Captain Silver (Asao Koike)
Captain Silver is a crafty, ambitious pirate who seeks to control the map for personal power. His schemes and double-crosses propel much of the action and threaten the protagonists at every turn.
Kathy (Fusako Amachi)
Kathy is Flint's feisty granddaughter who initially uses the map for her own ends but ultimately joins Jim and the crew. She is resourceful, stubborn, and brave, and makes a crucial sacrifice to protect her friends.
Baron (Joji Yanami)
Baron is the monocled pirate who schemes to gain captaincy by presenting the map to the pirate council. He is calculating and opportunistic, always looking for a chance to advance himself.
Otto (Kosei Tomita)
Otto is the walrus guardian who protects Jim and Gran during the perilous voyage. He acts as a loyal, stubborn ally who holds off the pirates when needed.
Spider
Spider is Silver's monkey helmsman who adds mischief and unpredictability to the pirate crew's maneuvering.
Animal Treasure Island Settings
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Location
Admiral Bembo Inn, Pirate Island, Volcanic Island
Starting at the Admiral Bembo Inn, Jim and Gran are drawn into danger when a masked intruder seeks a room and a warning. Their voyage shifts from harbor to sea and finally to Pirate Island, the notorious base where the map to Flint's treasure becomes the centerpiece of the conflict. The adventure spans sea crossings and a volcanic crater island, where Flint's sunken ship and the treasure lie hidden behind peril and deception.
Animal Treasure Island Themes
Discover the main themes in Animal Treasure Island (1971). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
💰
Greed
The pursuit of Captain Flint's treasure exposes the corrupting pull of wealth. Pirates like Silver and Baron manipulate others to gain control of the map, showing how greed drives risky schemes and betrayals. Jim and Kathy's integrity becomes the counterpoint that ultimately reveals the treasure's true value lies in friendship and trust.
🤝
Loyalty
Friendship and teamwork push Jim, Gran, and Kathy through danger, escape, and deception. Their cooperation helps to outsmart pirates, recover the map, and protect the group from treachery. The bond among the protagonists shows that loyalty can survive even in a ruthless pirate world.
🕊️
Sacrifice
Kathy's willingness to sacrifice the secret of the treasure to save Jim demonstrates selflessness that alters the course of the hunt. Others also risk themselves to protect the map and each other as the volcano's danger closes in. The climactic reveal turns on a sacrifice that allows the rightful treasures to be reclaimed without needless bloodshed.
Animal Treasure Island Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of Animal Treasure Island (1971). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In a breezy, sea‑kissed world where ships creak beneath skies painted with pastel clouds, the everyday rhythms of harbor life are shared by a lively cast of animal characters. The bustling port town hums with the clatter of paws and whiskers, each creature adding its own flavor to the bustling market streets and weather‑worn docks. A playful, slightly steampunk aesthetic underscores the story, blending rust‑brown timber with the gleam of brass gears, while a jaunty score carries the sense of boundless adventure that drifts on the salty wind.
At the heart of the tale is Jim, a curious young assistant who tends the inn that serves as the community’s crossroads. He shares his modest quarters with his quick‑witted rat companion, Glan, whose small size is matched only by his big heart, and the innkeeper’s infant son, Baboo, whose innocent cooing adds a gentle warmth to the crew’s dynamic. When an odd, hand‑drawn map surfaces—rumored to point toward the legendary riches of the feared Captain Flint—Jim’s imagination ignites, prompting him to fashion a quirky, steam‑powered barrel boat that reflects his inventive spirit and determination.
Setting sail from the familiar harbor, the trio ventures into the open sea, where the horizon promises both wonder and uncertainty. Their modest vessel becomes a floating canvas for friendship, laughter, and the occasional ripple of tension as they glide past distant islands and towering waves. Whispers of pirate foes linger on the wind, hinting at challenges that will test their courage and ingenuity. Yet the film’s tone remains light‑hearted and uplifting, inviting viewers to share in the thrill of discovery and the joy of unlikely companions charting a course toward an enigmatic treasure.
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