Summary
Anime is an industry based around adaptations. Whether it’s adaptations andremakes of classic series, manga, or light novels, having a strong property as a base is one of the most common starting points for bringing an anime series to life. Now, one of the most well-known works of world literature is now getting the anime treatment, and it’s coming to Japanese television in time for the Spring 2025 season. Asreported by Anime News Network, Anne Shirley, a new adaption of theAnne of Green Gablesnovel series, is coming to NHK in 2025.
Anne of Green Gables
Written by L. M. Montgomery and originally published in 1908,Anne of Green Gableshas transcended its Victorian-era publication to become one of the most widely-read and translated children’s novels of all-time. Focused on the adventurous happenings of an 11-year-old orphan adapting to a new life in a small town on Prince Edward Island, Canada, the work has been a bestseller and a staple of children’s literature for over a century. Beloved by generations ofreaders young and oldfor the beauty of its natural Canadian setting and the sentimental heart of its story,Anne of Green Gableshas been widely taught in Canadian and American primary schools as an introduction to the world of classic literature. The work was originally brought to Japanese audiences by a translation from Shinchosa Bunko in 1952 and has been popular there ever since.
A New Adaptation
Anne Shirleyis being adapted by Answerstudio, anime production label that has worked on several acclaimed projects, most notably Makoto Shinkai films includingSuzume,Your Name and Garden of Words.Anne Shirleyis aiming to be a new artistic adaptation of the book series, which included eight different works by L. M. Montgomery. As described by Anime News Network and a statement from distributor NHK, this adaptation’s three main plot themes will be Anne’s new life with her adopted parents Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, her lighthearted rivalry and eventual friendship with Diana Barry, and her growth and feelings of romance towards Gilbert Blythe. The adaptation process appears to be using the Shinchosa Bunko Japanese translation as its first and foremost source material.
A Storied History of Children’s Lit in Anime
Classic works of children’s literature have a long tradition in anime. In fact,Anne Shirleywon’t even be the first anime adaptation ofAnne of Green Gables. The first anime adaptation ofAnne,Akage no An, debuted in 1979 as part of Nippon Animation’s famousWorld Masterpiece Theaterseries, beingdirected by Isao Takahata, who would later become the visionary Studio Ghibli creative behind films likeOnly Yesterday,My Neighbors the Yamadas,The Tale of Princess Kaguyaand more.World Masterpiece Theaterwas itself a powerhouse of international children’s literature anime, existing for decades in various forms and adapting countless novels includingLittle Women,The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and theSwiss Family Robinsonamong many others. Both Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki had worked as animators on severalWorld Masterpiece Theater, before eventually moving on to Topcraft Animation and eventually making anime history with Studio Ghibli. It’s safe to say thatAnne Shirleyhas quite a legacy preceding it.
Anne Shirleyis set to come out in 2025 on Japanese public broadcaster NHK’s E-Tele in April of 2025.
