"Akage no An" (1979) TV series

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Directors:

Isao Takahata
Ken'ichi Baba

Writers:

Yoshihisa Araki (writer) (episodes)
Shigeki Chiba (writer) (episodes)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

7 January 1979 (Japan)

Genre:

Animation

Plot:

Based on the books by Lucy Maud Montgomery, this 50 episode series tells the story of Anne Shirley, a young orphan living in 19th century Canada.

Plot Keywords:

Anne Shirley | Anime | Based On Novel | Character Name In Title

Cast

Eiko Yamada

...

Anne (unknown episodes)

Also Known As:

"Anne of Green Gables"

Runtime:

24 min (50 episodes)

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Nippon Animation Co. Ltd.

Soundtrack:

Samenai Yume

Perfect depiction of Atlantic Canada!

Being an animation fan, I'd heard about this show before. I knew that Hayao Miyazaki had worked on it before founding Studio Ghibli - who wouldn't be curious? I never thought I'd see it, since it's only been released on DVD in Japan. But, thank the Net, I've found a way to watch the original, subtitled version. What a wonderful series! I've only see the first four episodes, but they've definitely captured my imagination.

Being from Atlantic Canada myself, I was thrilled to see my region depicted so beautifully in anime. It's all accurate, let me tell you (although I'm not sure if they have Japanese sakura trees in PEI...) I have to admit that I've never read the Anne novels, but watching an anime adaptation is the next best thing.

It's hard to believe this series was made in 1979... it's a masterful series of paintings, character animation and sweeping music.

Please, do whatever you can to find this gem of TV animation!