Neverending Story
Twelve-year-old Bastian Balthazar Bux had lost the wonderful imagination he had as a child somewhere between growing older, watching TV, going to school and playing with his Gameboy. But when his mother dies suddenly, Bastian's limitless imagination is reborn. Bastian comes across a magical book, "The Neverending Story", in a curious little bookstore. Inspired by the book, Bastian creates an enchanted world called Fantasia, inhabited by dragons, dark knights and assorted heroes and villains. The adventure of a lifetime begins when Bastian projects his Fantasian alter ego, Atreyu, into a battle against the sinister force of The Nothing. This terrible force threatens to destroy Fantasia and its ruler, the Childlike Empress. Only Atreyu, a 14-year-old Woodland boy and unlikely hero, can save her and find a cure for The Nothing. Bastian's experiences in the real world; such as his mourning, his new, sometimes tumultuous life with his dad, his problems with a school bully and his terror of a new, sadistic substitute teacher, are mirrored by Atreyu's experiences in Fantasia. Along with Atreyu, Bastian overcomes obstacles, learns important life lessons, and gains insights that help him adjust to the sudden death of his mom.
- 2001-2002
- 1 season
- HBO
- Action & Adventure, Drama, Family, Fantasy
- TV-PG
Twelve-year-old Bastian Balthazar Bux had lost the wonderful imagination he had as a child somewhere between growing older, watching TV, going to school and playing with his Gameboy. But when his mother dies suddenly, Bastian's limitless imagination is reborn. Bastian comes across a magical book, "The Neverending Story", in a curious little bookstore. Inspired by the book, Bastian creates an enchanted world called Fantasia, inhabited by dragons, dark knights and assorted heroes and villains. The adventure of a lifetime begins when Bastian projects his Fantasian alter ego, Atreyu, into a battle against the sinister force of The Nothing. This terrible force threatens to destroy Fantasia and its ruler, the Childlike Empress. Only Atreyu, a 14-year-old Woodland boy and unlikely hero, can save her and find a cure for The Nothing. Bastian's experiences in the real world; such as his mourning, his new, sometimes tumultuous life with his dad, his problems with a school bully and his terror of a new, sadistic substitute teacher, are mirrored by Atreyu's experiences in Fantasia. Along with Atreyu, Bastian overcomes obstacles, learns important life lessons, and gains insights that help him adjust to the sudden death of his mom.
Season 1 Episode Guide
13 Episodes 2001 - 2002
Episode 1
Heart of Stone
Sat, Oct 6, 2001
After Bastian's mother Laura is mortally injured in a car accident, Bastian finds a magical book called "The Neverending Story" and starts to read it. In the book, a young warrior named Atreyu is tasked to save the world of Fantasia. Atreyu sees The Childlike Empress, who tells him about The Nothing and her sister, the Dark Princess.
Episode 2
The Nothing
Sat, Oct 13, 2001
Bastian's substitute teacher L.C. Blank replaces the homeroom teacher Mrs. Finnegan, and Bastian recognizes him as a man who had sat next to him on a park bench and noticed the book. Bastian turns in his assignment, but Mr. Blank says he never got it, and makes Bastian do it again during the lunch break. The next day, he hides from Mr. Blank in the attic and continues reading. In the story, Atreyu begins his quest, aided by his best friend, and has to deal with Xayide enslaving his entire woodland village.
Episode 3
The Luckdragon
Sat, Oct 20, 2001
Bastian reaches a part of the story that he cannot bring himself to read, but Coreander encourages him to do so. Mr. Blank accuses Bastian of plagiarizing Oliver Twist word-for-word, even though Bastian protests that his report was on the Journey to the Center of the Earth. Bastian and his friends soon discover Bastian's actual report, and conclude that Mr. Blank forged his report. In the story, Atreyu decides to search for the Luckdragon, and Artax loses his life in the City of Old Emperors. When he finds the Luckdragon, he finds that it is a contraption being flown by Fly Girl, who is on a quest of her own.
Episode 4
Deleting Mr. Blank
Wed, Aug 12, 2026
After Bastian hands in a rough draft of his original report to prove to Mr. Blank he is not a plagiarist, Mr. Blank gives him a second failing grade just because. Having had enough, Bastian rallies together Marley and Lucas to help him erase every record of Mr. Blank from the school. In the story, Atreyu pilots Fly Girl's ship towards Dark City.
Episode 5
The Gift of the Name
Bastian earns the money to buy his father's birthday gift.
Episode 6
Home Sweet Home
Sat, Nov 10, 2001
Michael puts the house up for sale after Bastian sees his mother's ghost.
Episode 7
The Sceptre
Sun, Nov 25, 2001
Atreyu and Fly Girl attempt to save a luckdragon with the help of a magic sceptre.
Episode 8
The Luck Stops Here
Wed, Aug 12, 2026
Bastian is worried about a girl in his class who seems to be struggling.
Episode 9
Badge of Courage
Wed, Aug 12, 2026
Bastian deals with a bully who challenges him to a fight.
Episode 10
Deus Ex Machina
Wed, Aug 12, 2026
Bastian and Connor get into trouble for fighting.
Episode 11
Stairway to Heaven
Wed, Aug 12, 2026
Atreyu and Fly Girl must save the luckdragon from the dungeons of Dark City.
Episode 12
The Visitor
Wed, Aug 12, 2026
Atreyu visits the real world but arrives too late to keep Gemma from stealing "The Neverending Story".
Episode 13
The Resurrection
Wed, Aug 12, 2026
After Gemma goes missing after stealing the Neverending Story, the city puts out a 'missing child alert' for her, while Fallon is continuously drawn towards the book, particularly about Xayide. In the story, Gemma has second thoughts about stealing the book, and is pursued by Xayide's forces. Xayide reads the book, but because no Fantasian is allowed to read it, she gradually ages to death, to the grief of her sister, the Childlike Empress. By the end, Fallon enters the book and brings Xayide back to life.