Anne of Green Gables

Anne Shirley, an orphan, is fostered by farmer Matthew Cuthbert and his sister Marilla, who were expecting a boy to be sent them to help with their farm work. They accept Anne, who quickly endears herself to them and to the local villagers.

Anne of Green Gables (1979) is a Japanese animated family drama series created for Fuji TV, produced by Nippon Animation as a faithful adaptation of the beloved Canadian novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Its protagonist is Anne Shirley, a talkative, imaginative orphan voiced by Eiko Yamada, who is taken in by the reserved farmers Marilla Cuthbert (Fumie Kitahara) and her gentle brother Matthew Cuthbert (Ryuji Saikachi) after they had expected a boy to help on their farm. The engine of the series is Anne's stubborn attempt to find a real home and belonging, as her big feelings, vivid daydreams and frequent mishaps create friction with the strict expectations of the village. Each episode is a self-contained vignette of everyday life on Prince Edward Island, built from schoolyard rivalries, friendships with Diana Barry (Gara Takashima), and neighborly gossip with Rachel Lynde (Miyoko Aso). The series spans fifty episodes in a single season, moving at a gentle, measured pace. Its tone is warm, nostalgic and optimistic, finding wonder in ordinary mornings and small domestic triumphs. Fans of Heidi, Girl of the Alps and Little Women will find the same cozy, wholesome sensibility and the classic charm of a 1970s and 1980s family animation tradition.

Audiences broadly regard this warm, faithful adaptation of the Anne of Green Gables novel as a gentle and affectionate family classic.

• Heidi, Girl of the Alpsgentle rural coming of age, warm optimistic tone, orphan finding belonging
• Anne of Green Gables (1985)orphan girl with vivid imagination in a Japanese animated literary adaptation, wholesome slice of life
• Little Womenepisodic cozy village life, warm family tone, childhood wonder
• Pippi Longstockinggentle wholesome family animation with episodic everyday warmth

Release Date

1979-01-07

Episode runtime

24 min

Rating

7.7 / 10 (52)

What is Anne of Green Gables about?

An imaginative orphan girl is adopted by an elderly brother and sister on a Prince Edward Island farm and charms her new home and village.

What is Anne of Green Gables like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Anne of Green Gables as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Anne of Green Gables violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Anne of Green Gables.

What did critics think of Anne of Green Gables?

Audiences broadly regard this warm, faithful adaptation of the Anne of Green Gables novel as a gentle and affectionate family classic.

Which shows are like Anne of Green Gables?

Shows with a similar feel include Heidi, Girl of the Alps, Anne of Green Gables (1985), Little Women, and Pippi Longstocking.

How long is Anne of Green Gables?

Anne of Green Gables: 1 season, 50 episodes.

Is Anne of Green Gables still running?

No, Anne of Green Gables has ended.