Unlike the other series in Nippon Animation's World Masterpiece Theater line, Tico of the Seven Seas is an entirely original story.

A novelization of the series written by Akira Hiroo was eventually published in 3 volumes by Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko in conjunction with the broadcasting.

Having lost her mother when she was young, she now lives with her marine biologist father, Scott Simpson, on board his research vessel, the Peperonchino.

Scott's search from the Luminous Whale soon puts him at odds with the Gaiatron Corporation, a greedy research conglomerate led by the ruthless and ambitious Adrienne Benex, who wishes to exploit the creature for a rare element it seemingly carries in its body.

Aiding Benex are her right-hand man, Gaulois, and Dr. Charles LeConte, an old acquaintance of Scott's who is obsessed with the Luminous Whale.