Anne of Green Gables is an internationally popular literary classic. The story of an orphan girl named Anne Shirley has attracted readers from many countries, including Japan. In fact, this story has been adapted into a new anime series titled Anne Shirley.
The adaptation is based on the first novel Anne of Green Gables and will also include some storylines from the follow-up books. The anime is produced by Answer Studio and premieres on NHK E-Tele Japan on April 4, 2025.
Anne Shirley Synopsis
The story of Anne of Green Gables follows the journey of Anne Shirley, a young girl who grows up in an orphanage. Later Anne is adopted by siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert in the village of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
There, Anne’s colorful life adventure began. Due to the popularity of this novel, Lucy Maud Montgomery felt compelled to write several sequels that told the story of Anne’s life until she came of age.
Previously, the story had been turned into an anime version by Nippon Animation in 1979. The animation became part of the legendary World Masterpiece Theater series which is famous for adapting classic stories from western literature into anime form.
In addition, in 2008, a prequel novel entitled Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson was also published and approved by the Montgomery family. This novel was later adapted into a series in the World Masterpiece Theater in 2009.
Studio Ghibli fans will be intrigued by Anne Shirley
The main characters in Studio Ghibli anime are always interesting and inspiring. They have realistic, charismatic and courageous personalities. Each character is unique and gives the audience a different impression.
Three animated movie characters from Studio Ghibli, Chihiro, Kiki, and Arrietty, experience a journey into adulthood, learn to be independent, and face danger to protect their family.
The protagonist in Anne of Green Gables is no different, she has a boundless imagination and attracts the attention of other characters. Anne Shirley, although fond of feminine things, has a passionate and expressive personality.
Anne’s story is about how it is okay to go against the grain of society’s expectations of her. Although she experiences many struggles and worries about her own difference in some parts of the novel, she gets love and compassion for everything that makes her unique.
The 1979 anime Anne of Green Gables had 50 episodes, and Anne Shirley had 25. Longer than the usual duration of a Studio Ghibli movie. It combines shojo anime themes and classic coming-of-age stories, where the female protagonist grows through success and failure.
