The People’s Republic of China now plays a central role in global politics, economics and diplomacy – more than it ever has before. Its president, Xi Jinping openly espouses the model forged by former Chairman, Mao Zedong, known as the Great Helmsman. But what do we really know about Mao? And how does his legacy relate to Xi’s ‘China Dream’? This 3-part documentary series explores Mao Zedong, his beliefs and his methods. It shows how these have shaped Xi’s philosophy and the reality of today’s China. Mao had set China on the road to true sovereignty, freeing it from the humiliation of foreign domination. Xi is now completing that journey towards the strong Middle Kingdom and cultural predominance that Mao aimed for – while sweeping under the carpet the unthinkable victims and costs of Mao’s rule. The story arc of Mao’s astonishing biography provides varied and profound insights into the ideals, strategies and ambitions of today’s People’s Republic and its position in the next decade.
| Title | Air Date | Duration | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Episode 1 | I'll Protect Japan by Myself! | 2002-07-03 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 2 | First Deployment of Mao-chan! | 2002-07-10 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 3 | The Air Defense Force, Misora-chan | 2002-07-17 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 4 | The Sky and Land are One | 2002-07-24 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 5 | Sea Defense Force Silvia | 2002-07-31 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 6 | Anyways, Let's Have a Meal | 2002-08-07 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 7 | I'll Eefend Even the Water Striders! | 2002-08-14 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 8 | Project "Defense Barrier" | 2002-08-21 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 9 | Formation, Total Defense Party | 2002-08-28 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 10 | Japan Collection Mission | 2002-09-04 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 11 | Put Everything Aside, It's a Field Day! | 2002-09-11 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 12 | Asleep or Awake, We Must Defend! | 2002-09-18 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 13 | My Mother Came! | 2002-09-25 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 14 | Defense Headquarters Crisis | 2002-10-02 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 15 | Kikuchimonji the III Enters! | 2002-10-09 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 16 | Mii-kun Ran Away | 2002-10-16 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 17 | An Actor's Road is Harsh... | 2002-10-23 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 18 | The Cheerful Snow Festival! | 2002-10-30 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 19 | Apples - Tangerines - Melons | 2002-11-06 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 20 | To the Hot Springs to Pass the Exams for Todai! | 2002-11-13 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 21 | American Defense Girl | 2002-11-20 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 22 | Let's Defend Happiness! | 2002-11-27 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 23 | I'm Sorry, Mii-kun | 2002-12-04 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 24 | The Woman of the Purple Lilies | 2002-12-11 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 25 | Protect the Memories | 2002-12-18 | 15 min |
| Season 1 | Episode 26 | Today I'll Defend Loosely as Usual! | 2002-12-25 | 15 min |
| Directing | Annette Baumeister | Director |
| Writing | Annette Baumeister | Writer |
| Directing | Paul Wiederhold | Director |
| Writing | Paul Wiederhold | Writer |
| Camera | Damien Dufresne | Director of Photography |
| Camera | Philipp Baben der Erde | Director of Photography |
| Camera | Jason Flakes | Director of Photography |
| Camera | Mike Lawrence | Director of Photography |
| Camera | Stefan Pohl | Director of Photography |
| Camera | Marcos Rocha | Director of Photography |
| Camera | Johannes Straub | Director of Photography |
| Camera | Pete Zappulla | Director of Photography |
| Editing | Ulrich Stein | Editor |
| Editing | Lisa Zirndorf | Assistant Editor |
| Editing | Jens Greuner | Assistant Editor |
| Editing | Dirk Seliger | Assistant Editor |
| Sound | Mathieu Burgess | Sound |
| Sound | Adam Grass | Sound |
| Sound | Tobias Fritzsch | Sound Designer |
| Sound | Tobias Fritzsch | Sound Re-Recording Mixer |
| Sound | Michael Kadelbach | Music |
| Sound | Moritz Denis | Music |
| Sound | Eike Hosenfeld | Music |
| Sound | Nils Kacirek | Music |
| Sound | Roman Carsten Keller | Music |
| Writing | Paul Wiederhold | Creative Producer |
| Production | Nathalie Dietrich | Production Manager |
| Production | Jochen Dickbertel | Production Manager |
| Production | Jens Körner | Line Producer |
| Production | Lucio Mollica | Consulting Producer |
| Production | Sergio Basso | Producer |
| Crew | Christian Jakob | Commissioning Editor |
| Crew | Gabriele Trost | Commissioning Editor |
| Crew | Mark Willock | Commissioning Editor |
| Production | Birgit Rasch | Executive Producer |
| Production | Gunnar Dedio | Executive Producer |
| Production | Regina Bouchehri | Executive Producer |
| Production | Julie Lesurtel | Post Production Coordinator |
| Production | Christoph Lewinske | Post Production Coordinator |
| Production | Martin Ritter | Post Production Coordinator |
| Production | Volker Schulze | Post Production Coordinator |
| Production | David Fustermanns | Post Production Coordinator |
| Production | Johannes Wünsch | Unit Manager |
| Production | Katarina Rakić | Researcher |
| Production | Annika Steinbach | Researcher |
| Crew | Daniel Köpcke | Legal Services |