The Mainzelmännchen are Western Animation from Germany. They appear in the ZDF (see German TV Stations) between commercial spots since 1963. Their name is a punny contraction of the city of Mainz, location of the ZDF's headquarters, with Heinzelmännchen, helpful gnomes or brownies from a popular Cologne folk legend. Since 2003, they also have their own series with 5-minute episodes, called Die Mainzels.