What if Chibi Maruko-chan had it's first anime series in 1975?

This is an alternate reality idea where Chibi Maruko-chan first released as a manga in 1970 followed by it's first anime series in 1975.

Chibi Maruko-chan (Japanese: ちびまる子ちゃん, "Little Maruko-chan") is the first anime TV series based on the 1970 manga of the same name. It was produced by Eiken and Group TAC. It was aired on Fuji TV from January 5, 1975 to December 28, 1975. After the anime ended, Chibi Maruko-chan remained exclusively a manga after its reruns until 1990 when Nippon Animation produced a more successful second anime adaptation, which officially ended in 1992; it was in turn replaced by a third anime adaptation in 1995 after which continues to air to recent days. The series is now considered as a piece of lost media due to its rarity and obscurity. Of the 102 segments, only 32 are known to survive in their complete form, with 6 other segments surviving in a near complete state.

Plot
The series depicts the simple, everyday life of Maruko Sakura and her family in suburban Japan in the year 1969. Maruko is a troublemaker, and every episode recounts Maruko's trouble and how she and her friends succeed in solving the situation. Unlike the later 2 series which are more faithful to the manga, this anime series has comedic slapstick scenes throughout, along with the change of personalities of the characters, most notably Maruko and Sakiko. This series also doesn't have a narrator and has different opening/ending theme songs, unlike the later 2 anime series.

Production and broadcast
The series was broadcast between January 5 to December 28, 1975, on Fuji Television. 51 episodes, divided into 102 individual segments were produced. A pilot film was produced in 1974 and shown to test audiences in January 1975. Audience included the creator of the original Chibi Maruko-chan manga. They initially approved of the show, but when they were shown the progress, they apparently were angered by the fact that they changed Maruko and Sakiko's personalities. It is still occasionally shown at retro anime fan conventions in Japan, but cannot be legally released due to rights complications and the production studio being defunct. Despite this, while the series did well in the ratings and was considered to be extended for another year, it encountered budget issues during its run, compounded by financial problems that the show had, as well as the director abruptly resigning in the middle of it's television run. The new director appeared not to regard the anime very highly, while the financial issues lead to the rest of the episodes being animated on a low budget until it's cancellation at the end of 1975. Many of the staff that worked on the show wound up unpaid for their efforts due to this. The show was frequently rebroadcast throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The station, TV Shizuoka, was the last to air the show, airing from July 3 to July 24, 1990, and briefly again in August of that year. The station aired the show in individual segments. On August 3, the publisher of the Chibi Maruko-chan manga requested the station to cease airing the show, to make sure the reputation of the more famous and longer running 1990 series wasn't harmed. The animation crew of the show, Group TAC, went bankrupt in 2010. Before they went defunct, they tried covering debt by selling off the masters of the 1975 series, The Japanese post-production company IMAGICA, discovered episodes 1 through 6 and 20 through 24 in their archive, as well as segments 30A, 44A and 50B.

In 2003, the production chief of the show came forward with several episodes and rush reels (raw footage). He later uploaded low quality versions of the intro and credits to his site on a members only and password protected page, however, a few minutes after the upload, he was told that the intro and credits were uploaded to Japanese anonymous board site 2channel. He immediately removed the video files from his site, but it was already too late. Many images of his episodes were uploaded to GeoCities. In the early 2000s, a person came forward with a VHS recording of the episode "Maruko and The Legendary Tsuchinoko!", dated from 1982. Audio clips from the episode were uploaded, but the site they were hosted on was removed. In 2014, a YouTube user discovered a clip playing on a television set in a Japanese comedy film from the early 1980s.

With the dissolution of Group TAC, the remaining film reels to the series and other possessions wound up sold off to cover the debt, while other belongings in the studio and production materials were either thrown out in the garbage or destroyed in a kerosene fire. It has been erroneously reported that Nippon Animation and Sakura Production deliberately organized a "cremation" fire and destroyed all of the episodes; however, the production chief has stated that this wasn't the case and has gone on to debunk the misconceptions surrounding the series' production and fate. Even so, a significant portion of the anime is considered lost to some degree. Many episodes of the series also only survive in still images in newspapers or other media. It is unknown what may have happened to the other reels.

It is nearly impossible to find info on this version of Chibi Maruko-chan. No episodes exist online, or on home media besides an audio recording of the final episode. The only footage currently available is uploads of the opening and ending. However, the footage is of very low quality (240p 193kbit/s video, 128kbit/s audio).

Episodes

 * 1) Maruko's First Day of School!/Maruko vs. Sakiko (early version of Maru-chan's Sibling Rivalry!) (January 5, 1975) (Found in IMAGICA storage.)
 * 2) That New Kid is That Rich Boy!/Maruko and the Class Election (early version of Finally! Maruo and the Class Election!) (January 12, 1975) (Found in IMAGICA storage.)
 * 3) I Want a Puppy! (early version of Maru-Chan And Friends Find a Puppy)/Maruko and the Big Bully (January 19, 1975) (Found in IMAGICA storage.)
 * 4) Maruko's Sick Day (early version of Maru-Chan Catches a Cold)/Me and My Sister Are at Home Alone (early version of Home Alone With Sakiko!) (January 26, 1975) (Found in IMAGICA storage.)
 * 5) Migiwa's Love Strategy/Maruko Gets Awarded! (early version of Maru-Chan Gets a Certificate) (February 2, 1975) (Found in IMAGICA storage.)
 * 6) I Hate Valentine's Day! (early version of The Valentine's Day of Sadness)/Maruko Gets an Alarm Clock! (early version of Maru-chan buys an Alarm Clock!) (February 9, 1975) (Found in IMAGICA storage.)
 * 7) Sakiko's Tutor (early version of Here Comes the Tutor!)/Maruko's Birthday (early version of Maru-chan Has a Birthday Party!) (February 23, 1975) (Lost, script exists.)
 * 8) Don't Touch Mom's Precious Treasure! (early version of Mom's Treasure!)/Maruko and The Legendary Tsuchinoko! (early version of The Legendary Tsuchinoko Company Limited!) (March 2, 1975) (8A: Lost, images exist./8B: In Jun storage.)
 * 9) Maruko Doesn't Get Any Respect/Maruko's Late-Night Feast! (early version of Maru-chan's Late Night Feast!) (March 9, 1975) (Lost, script exists.)
 * 10) I Hate Report Cards (early version of Maru-Chan Gets Her Report Card!)/I Don't Want to Play the Starring Role in a Class Play (early version of Maru-chan and the School Arts Festival!) (March 16, 1975) (In Jun storage, albeit with no title card.)
 * 11) The Bathtub is Broken (early version of Maru-chan's Bathtub Is Broken!)/Maruko Gets a Stomachache! (early version of The Stomachache at School!) (March 23, 1975) (11A: Lost, images exist./11B: In Jun storage, albeit with no audio.)
 * 12) The Parental School Visit of Nightmares (early version of The Parental Visit of Melancholy!)/I Really Want a Pet Bird! (early version of Maru-chan Really Wants a Bird!) (March 30, 1975) (Lost, script exists.)
 * 13) Clean Up Your Mess, Maruko/I Want a Nosebleed (early version of The Yearned-For Nosebleed!) (April 6, 1975) (Lost, script exists.)
 * 14) I Like Being Warm Under the Kotatsu!/My Sister's Idol (April 13, 1975) (14A: Lost, images exist./14B: In Jun storage.)
 * 15) Preparing for a Field Trip (early version of Maru-Chan Likes Preparing for Field Trips!)/Maruko Goes on a Field Trip (early version of Maru-Chan Goes on a Field Trip!) (April 20, 1975) (15A: Lost, script and images exist./15B: Lost, script and images as well as a 1-minute clip from IMAGICA storage exist.)
 * 16) Maruko's Test Studying Strategy/My Hometown's Flooded (early version of Maru-chan's Town Gets Flooded!) (April 27, 1975) (16A: Lost./16B: Lost, images exist.)
 * 17) Mom is Mean!/Meeting My Sister's Best Friend (May 4, 1975) (17A: Lost, script exists./17B: In Jun storage, albeit with no title card.)
 * 18) Maruko Enjoys a Sensei-Free School Day (early version of I Love Free Study Time!)/Maruko Wants a Perfect Photo (early version of Maruko Goes to the Photographer!) (May 11, 1975) (Lost, script exists.)
 * 19) Maruko and the Guppies (early version of Maru-chan Gets Tropical Fish!)/The Frightening Storm! (early version of The Night of the Big Storm!) (May 18, 1975) (19A: Lost, script exists./19B: Lost, script and images exist.)
 * 20) My Dad is Stupid/The Boy vs. Girl Riot (early version of The Great Boy-Girl War!) (May 25, 1975) (Found in IMAGICA storage.)
 * 21) Mom's Special Curry/A Huge Rumor About Maruko (June 1, 1975) (Found in IMAGICA storage.)
 * 22) Maruo vs. Hanawa/Maruko Finds a Secret Stash of Money! (early version of Maru-chan Finds Some Money!) (June 8, 1975) (Found in IMAGICA storage.)
 * 23) My Sister Doesn't Like Bugs!/Mom vs. Dad (early version of Mom and Dad Are Fighting!) (June 15, 1975) (Found in IMAGICA storage.)
 * 24) I Will Not Fail My Final Exam, Not One Bit/Maruko and the School Pool (early version of Pool's Open) (June 22, 1975) (Found in IMAGICA storage.)
 * 25) Maruko's Ultimate Prank!/Maruko and the Mysterious Cards (early version of The Old Man's Magic Cards!) (June 29, 1975) (25A: Lost./25B: In Jun storage, albeit with no audio.)
 * 26) Maruko Wants Ice Cream/The Great Winning Stick Fight (July 6, 1975) (Lost, script exists.)
 * 27) Give Back Sister's Treasure!/Clumsy Maruko (July 13, 1975) (Lost, script and images exist.)
 * 28) Maruko the Detective (early version of The Great Maru-chan Detective!)/Maruko and the Haunted House (early version of Maru-chan Goes to the Haunted House!) (July 20, 1975) (Lost, script and images exist.)
 * 29) Maruko's Umbrella (early version of Maru-chan Gets a New Umbrella!)/Maruko and the Cherry Blossoms (early version of Maru-chan Goes Cherry Blossom Viewing!) (July 27, 1975) (Lost.)
 * 30) Maruko Goes to See Her Great Grandparents (early version of Maru-chan Visits Far-Away Relatives!)/Maruko Runs Away from Home (August 3, 1975) (30A: Found in IMAGICA storage./30B: Lost, images exist.)
 * 31) Maruko is Blamed for Something She Didn't Do/Ouch! My Tooth! It Hurts! (early version of Maru-chan's Tooth Hurts!) (August 10, 1975) (31A: Lost, images exist./31B: Lost.)
 * 32) I Want My Own Room! (early version of Maru-chan Wants Her Own Room!)/Cousins are Annoying (early version of Shichi-Go-San With My Cousins!) (August 17, 1975) (32A: Lost, script and images exist./32B: In Jun storage, albeit with no title card.)
 * 33) We Go Hiking! (early version of Maru-chan Goes Hiking!)/Mom is Tired of Being Treated Like a Maid (August 24, 1975) (33A: Lost, script and images exist./33B: Lost.)
 * 34) Maruko Didn't Finish Her Homework (early version of Maru-chan Didn't Finish Her Homework!)/Maruko Gets a New Seat (early version of Maru-chan Changes Seats!) (August 31, 1975) (34A: Lost, script and images exist./34B: Lost.)
 * 35) Maruko's Essay (early version of Maru-chan Writes an Essay!)/I Want the Ultimate Snack (September 7, 1975) (35A: Lost, script exists./35B: In Jun storage.)
 * 36) Maruko and the Recorder (early version of Maru-Chan Practises The Recorder)/Going to Hanawa's House (early version of Finally, We Go to Hanawa's House!) (September 14, 1975) (36A: Lost./36B: Lost, script and images exist.)
 * 37) The Great Stray Dog Neighborhood Attack (early version of Maruko is Chased by Stray Dogs!)/Maruko's Lunch Menu (early version of The Longed-For Lunch Menu Meeting!) (September 21, 1975) (37A: Lost, images exist./37B: Lost.)
 * 38) Grandpa Wants to Go Around the World (early version of Grandpa's Trip Around the World!)/Going to Sensei's House for the First Time (early version of Let's Go to Sensei's House!) (September 28, 1975) (Lost, images exist.)
 * 39) Sister's Plight/Maruko Wants to Try Arm Wrestling (October 5, 1975) (39A: In Jun storage./39B: Lost, images exist.)
 * 40) The Bedroom Ghost Just Came Out/Hangin' with Grandpa (October 12, 1975) (40A: Lost, images exist./40B: Clip from early 1980s Japanese comedy film.)
 * 41) Maruko Fakes Being Sick/Tama's Dad is a Nuisance (October 19, 1975) (41A: Lost, images exist./41B: Lost, script and images exist.)
 * 42) Maruko Goes to a Halloween Party/Maruko and the Cursed Wicker Hamper (October 26, 1975) (Lost, script exists.)
 * 43) Sister is Jealous/Maruko Can't Get to Sleep (early version of Maru-chan's Sleepless Night!) (November 2, 1975) (Lost, script and images exist.)
 * 44) Maruko's First 100% Score/Maruko Goes Out Late at Night with Dad (early version of Maru-chan Goes to an Oden Stall!) (November 9, 1975) (44A: Found in IMAGICA storage./44B: Lost, images exist.)
 * 45) Maruko Goes to a Department Store (early version of Maru-chan Gets Lost at the Department Store!)/Mom's Sick (November 16, 1975) (45A: Lost, images exist./45B: Lost.)
 * 46) Losing Tama-chan/My Sister is a Great Artist (November 23, 1975) (Lost, script and images exist.)
 * 47) The Candy Shop Riot/Maruko is Home Alone on a Sunday (early version of A Sunday All to Myself!) (November 30, 1975) (Lost, script and images exist.)
 * 48) Maruko Meets Up with the Big Bully Again/Maruo is in Charge (December 7, 1975) (Lost.)
 * 49) Maruko Has a Good Day (early version of A Jolly Day!)/Maruko Goes to Momoe's Concert (early version of Maruko Goes to Momoe-chan's Concert!) (December 14, 1975) (49A: Lost, script exists./49B: Lost, script and images exist.)
 * 50) I Want to Eat Snow! (early version)/Maruko Goes to a Christmas Party (early version of Maru-chan's Community Christmas Party!) (December 21, 1975) (50A: Lost, script and images exist./50B: Found in IMAGICA storage.)
 * 51) Goodbye Grandpa/Maruko, 15 Years Later into the Future (Final Episode) (December 28, 1975) (Lost, script and images exist.)