The Smurfs (TV series) Saturday morning cartoon "The Smurfs", produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions in association with SEPP International S.A. (from 1981 to 1987) and Lafig S.A. (in the years 1988 and 1989), debuted on NBC in 1981. The series became a major success for the networkand one of the most successful and longest running Saturday morning cartoons in television history, spawning spin-off television specials on an almost yearly basis. The characters included Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Brainy Smurf, the evil Gargamel, his cat Azrael, and Johan and his friend Peewit. "The Smurfs" was nominated multiple times for Daytime Emmy Awards, and won Outstanding Children's Entertainment
The Smurfs music album"Tekkno ist cool" (double platinum) and the 1996 "Alles Banane" volume 3, "Megaparty" volume 2 and "Voll der Winter" volume 4. From 1996 to 2004, thirteen "Hupikék Törpikék" (the Hungarian name for "The Smurfs") albums were released. The songs on these albums are covers of popular songs, sang in Hungarian, with lyrics related to the cartoon "The Smurfs". In Italy, most of the Smurfs cartoon anthems were sung by Cristina D'Avena. In Japan, was the opening theme song to the Japanese dub of the "Smurfs" television series. It was released on 45 vinyl by Polydor Records in 1981 exclusively in