9 reviews
I tend to be against adapting books into movies, because you generally don't have time to be at all faithful to a book in such a short running time (the first couple of Harry Potter films were quite long because they wanted to hit so many plot points, but they still cut out all the character development). The popular Canadian miniseries from the '80s was a perfect example of this. It got a sense of the story across, but only just.
This is different. Fifty episodes are enough to do justice to a 38-chapter book. There's only one incident of any note that was cut, and several that were much fleshed out or added (plus one or two dull episodes that were mostly clips of earlier shows). You can be assured the creators really understand the characters and interpersonal dynamics of the story.
But is the story worth your while. You bet! A lot of folks link this series with Miyazaki, though he only worked on the first 15 episodes. More important were fellow Ghiblies Takahata and Kondo. But it FEELS like Miyazaki: strong, young, imaginative female lead steeped in the magic of Nature, learning to be loved by a grouchy but kindhearted elderly couple. All it needs is some flying machines!
It is worth digging on eBay for the possibly semi-legal region-free English subtitled DVDs. Don't mistake it for the recent Canadian animated series (which boggles the mind--surely it would've been cheaper to license and dub Akage no An!). This is, and surely always will be, the definitive film version of Anne of Green Gables. (You even get used to the "Konichiwa, Diana!")
This is different. Fifty episodes are enough to do justice to a 38-chapter book. There's only one incident of any note that was cut, and several that were much fleshed out or added (plus one or two dull episodes that were mostly clips of earlier shows). You can be assured the creators really understand the characters and interpersonal dynamics of the story.
But is the story worth your while. You bet! A lot of folks link this series with Miyazaki, though he only worked on the first 15 episodes. More important were fellow Ghiblies Takahata and Kondo. But it FEELS like Miyazaki: strong, young, imaginative female lead steeped in the magic of Nature, learning to be loved by a grouchy but kindhearted elderly couple. All it needs is some flying machines!
It is worth digging on eBay for the possibly semi-legal region-free English subtitled DVDs. Don't mistake it for the recent Canadian animated series (which boggles the mind--surely it would've been cheaper to license and dub Akage no An!). This is, and surely always will be, the definitive film version of Anne of Green Gables. (You even get used to the "Konichiwa, Diana!")
I never realized that this animation was made in 1979. I watched this series, every single episode, when I was ten. And let me just say that this animated series is incredible. It captures every emotion the novel delivers, from Anne's first depth of despair to last bend around the corner. Anne's chatters, Marilla's scornful love, Matthew's unconditional love, the rivalry romance between Anne and Gilbert, they are all there. It does not miss out anything, and I do mean anything. It is truly a masterpiece. The characters are drew beautifully, especially Anne and Gilbert. And the sceneries are breathtaking. You would never imagine this was made in 1979 if you saw it for yourself. And the music. Oh, the music is also just incomparable. The music will be remembered for such a long time. This series is incomparable to Anne of Green Gables animation series that's being made these days. If you have access to this animation, give it a chance. Just one episode and you'll fall in love with it forever.
- memoryofyourface
- Dec 8, 2003
- Permalink
I've been a fan of the 1985 Anne of Green Gables series, loving it as a child and watching it on PBS growing up, and reading the books. Recently I stumbled upon this gem, thanks to the internet.
The drawings are excellent, and one is not even bothered by the subtitles. The story is so faithful to the books that you get swept up with the story. My heart just about broke watching Anne so upset and heartbroken at the thought of leaving Green Gables. I just wanted to hug her so badly, and it's anime! I laughed, cried, smiled my way through this charming series, and highly recommend it to any Anne of Green Gables fan.
The drawings are excellent, and one is not even bothered by the subtitles. The story is so faithful to the books that you get swept up with the story. My heart just about broke watching Anne so upset and heartbroken at the thought of leaving Green Gables. I just wanted to hug her so badly, and it's anime! I laughed, cried, smiled my way through this charming series, and highly recommend it to any Anne of Green Gables fan.
- blossom114
- Jun 8, 2008
- Permalink
"Akage no an" is simply the best piece of 'book to film' adaptation you will ever encounter. No other movie or television show even compares to this enchanting masterpiece. Why this has never been properly released in the states is beyond comprehension, but a captioned box set can be found online at Japanese and anime DVD sites.
The exquisite animation and drawings are truly works of art, much better than the computer generated graphics of today. Each character and setting is drawn to perfection will all of LM Montgomery's small subtleties incorporated into picture.
Each episode is nearly a page by page account of the actual book and 99% of everything is here. Every character, every special moment, all the tragedy, comedy, romance, and relationships are played out just as Montgomery would have intended.
The exquisite animation and drawings are truly works of art, much better than the computer generated graphics of today. Each character and setting is drawn to perfection will all of LM Montgomery's small subtleties incorporated into picture.
Each episode is nearly a page by page account of the actual book and 99% of everything is here. Every character, every special moment, all the tragedy, comedy, romance, and relationships are played out just as Montgomery would have intended.
- Greens758758
- Jul 28, 2009
- Permalink
"Akage no An" is an 1979 anime adaption of Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel "Anne of Green Gables". This anime series was directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Nippon Animation, and consists of 50 episodes.
Basic plot: This anime focuses on Anne Shirley, an orphan girl who gets sent to Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. The problem is, Marilla and Matthew originally requested a boy to be the new member of the family, leading to one problem after another in the beginning...
I normally don't read books, but I have heard people telling about this anime being just so true to the book, compared to many other movie/series adaptions of the same novel. Having watched this series a few years ago, I can say this anime altogether is realistic made, dramatic, beautiful, and sometimes moving. I was even about to almost cry in at least one of the episodes. I could have go on telling you about scenes having been pretty well made, some of them including Anne's relationship with Gilbert Blythe and her great friendship with Diana.
As I have said earlier, I normally don't read books. But if you have read the book and wanna watch a good movie/series adaption, I highly recommend you find this animated series. Sadly, this anime doesn't seem to exist in Norway at all. Believe me, you won't regret one second of this.
It is also interesting to know that, not only the anime itself, but the novel it is based on is pretty much beloved in Japan.
Some of the other notable works from Isao Takahata to be mentioned include: "Horus: Prince of the Sun" (1968), "Only Yesterday" (1991) and "My Neighbors the Yamadas" (1999).
Basic plot: This anime focuses on Anne Shirley, an orphan girl who gets sent to Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. The problem is, Marilla and Matthew originally requested a boy to be the new member of the family, leading to one problem after another in the beginning...
I normally don't read books, but I have heard people telling about this anime being just so true to the book, compared to many other movie/series adaptions of the same novel. Having watched this series a few years ago, I can say this anime altogether is realistic made, dramatic, beautiful, and sometimes moving. I was even about to almost cry in at least one of the episodes. I could have go on telling you about scenes having been pretty well made, some of them including Anne's relationship with Gilbert Blythe and her great friendship with Diana.
As I have said earlier, I normally don't read books. But if you have read the book and wanna watch a good movie/series adaption, I highly recommend you find this animated series. Sadly, this anime doesn't seem to exist in Norway at all. Believe me, you won't regret one second of this.
It is also interesting to know that, not only the anime itself, but the novel it is based on is pretty much beloved in Japan.
Some of the other notable works from Isao Takahata to be mentioned include: "Horus: Prince of the Sun" (1968), "Only Yesterday" (1991) and "My Neighbors the Yamadas" (1999).
First I want to apologize for my language.English is not my main language so i know i'm not good at this but i love Anne so i write it for my heart so sorry for it . I spent my childhood by this movie I love it where we nice which movie describe their way of life and tell you the bolts it girl life name Anne. She's a nice girl and she have a hard time life she is spend her life her life hard. Then hair godmother send hello to college four educated and she find out most be in home. After all this story she married by a boy who hate it . end of story.... First I want to apologize for my language.English is not my main language so i know i'm not good at this but i love Anne so i write it for my heart so sorry for it . I spent my childhood by this movie I love it where we nice which movie describe their way of life and tell you the bolts it girl life name Anne. She's a nice girl and she have a hard time life she is spend her life her life hard. Then hair godmother send hello to college four educated and she find out most be in home. After all this story she married by a boy who hate it . end of story....
I don't know how to describe this anime, it was so beautiful and makes me know myself better, because Anne's character was somehow similiar to mine.
The art was wonderful & it looks like it is new even when it is showed in 70's. The design of the characters was very cute and It matches the author's description in the novel. The backgrounds like nature and houses in the anime was very beautiful & comvy, and I don't beleive that japan could draw these in '70s.
The massages that I learned from this anime was very deep, and it taught me many lessons of life, I learned that the human will change someday as Anne, She was a funny girl with great imagination, but she commit many mistakes by her overimagination and unrealism,she commit many mistakes in her life. She learned and learned until she could control herself and her imagination to become a perfect and self-posessed girl .
I love this beautiful anime so so much with all my heart, and I am so happy that I know Anne of Green Gables.
The art was wonderful & it looks like it is new even when it is showed in 70's. The design of the characters was very cute and It matches the author's description in the novel. The backgrounds like nature and houses in the anime was very beautiful & comvy, and I don't beleive that japan could draw these in '70s.
The massages that I learned from this anime was very deep, and it taught me many lessons of life, I learned that the human will change someday as Anne, She was a funny girl with great imagination, but she commit many mistakes by her overimagination and unrealism,she commit many mistakes in her life. She learned and learned until she could control herself and her imagination to become a perfect and self-posessed girl .
I love this beautiful anime so so much with all my heart, and I am so happy that I know Anne of Green Gables.
- haneenmakkah
- Aug 13, 2022
- Permalink
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!
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!
- SincerelyMichael
- Feb 12, 2008
- Permalink