The Abduction of Balthazar Sponge (Polish: Porwanie Baltazara Gąbki) is a Polish-language fantasy animated series produced by Studio Filmów Rysunkowych from 1969 to 1970, that was based on 1965 children's book Porwanie Baltazara Gąbki by Stanisław Pagaczewski. The series had 1 season consisting of 13 episodes, each lasting from 6 to 7 minutes. The episodes were directed by Władysław Nehrebecki, Alfred Ledwig, Edward Wątor, Józef Byrdy, Bronisław Zeman, Wacław Wajser, and Stanisław Dülz, while the scrips were written by Zofia Olak and Leszek Mech.[1] The series were continued by Wyprawa profesora Gąbki, that was produced from 1978 to 1980.[2]
The famous biologist and explorer, Balthazar Sponge (Polish: Baltazar Gąbka), travels to the Land of the Raindwellers (Kraina Deszczowców), in order to study the flying frogs. As he does not return to his country after a long time, Duke Krakus orders to organize the rescue expedition to find him, and bring him back. The expedition was joined by Wawel Dragon (Smok Wawelski) and Bartolini Bartholomew of Green Parsley coat of arms (Bartolini Bartłomiej herbu Zielona Pietruszka), who was the royal chef. They travel from the city of Kraków to the Land of the Raindwellers in their amphibious vehicle. The main characters are followed by Don Pedro de Pommidore, a spy from the Land of the Raindwellers.[1][3]