Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time (Il était une fois...) is a French animated educational franchise created by Albert Barillé through his studio Procidis. It consists of multiple series each dedicated to a subject, including Once Upon a Time... Man (1978), which covers world history, and Once Upon a Time... Life (1987), which teaches human biology.

The franchise comprises eight distinct animated series, each covering a different educational subject such as history, space, the human body, and the Americas. The first series, Once Upon a Time... Man, debuted in 1978 and the franchise continued producing new installments over subsequent decades.

Once Upon a Time... Life (Il était une fois... la vie) teaches children about human biology by personifying cells, viruses, and bodily processes as recurring characters—white blood cells act as soldiers, red blood cells as delivery couriers, and so on. It is widely considered one of the franchise's most beloved installments.

Yes, the series achieved wide international distribution, reportedly airing in over 100 countries and being translated into numerous languages. Its educational focus and engaging character designs made it popular in schools and homes far beyond its French origins.