This is an overview of anime that are based on western novel series. Some of these series themselves may not be too popular in a general sense but I’m somewhat familiar with most of the original sources. A return to your childhood? Maybe not, but I think some of these stories are fantastic and it doesn’t hurt to have an anime adaptation. I have to admit that I haven’t seen any of these, but it’s a foray into their existence for anyone who’s interested.

1. Oz no Mahotsukai (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz)
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All of you probably know The Wizard of Oz since it’s really a classic “children’s” story series. By L. Frank Baum, we all know about Dorothy, the cowardly lion, the scarecrow, and the tin man’s search for home, bravery, a heart and brains. The story is exciting full of munchkins, witches, ruby red slippers and a bunch of quirky characters. However, contrary to what most people think - the story gets darker. The anime is based on four books, the one other arc of the Oz series that I am familiar with - Ozma of Oz is actually quite a creepy story and very dark at various parts. This was made in the mid 1980s and judging from the pictures, the value is probably in the story and characters - probably not in action. Yes, I have seen the version with Judy Garland as Dorothy, the Return to Oz movie with Fairuza Balk and I read the first book a while ago.

2. Akage no Anne (Anne of Green Gables)

This is hands down, one of my favourite book series. Yes, it’s girly, wholesome and probably not terribly appealing to people who want lots of violence, action and blood (I like that!) but it’s a very well written series by L.M. Montgomery about the spirit of an orphan girl, who’s descriptive, interesting and brave named Anne Shirley. It describes her trials and tribulations, how she falls in love, having children and all that jazz. Although it’s about everyday life, it’s quite poetic at times and even Mark Twain has stated that Montgomery is his favourite children’s author. The point is, if the anime is faithful to at least the beginning of the series (I don’t think it covers the latter of Anne’s life) then it’s worth seeing (and I’ll be sure to track it down). I’ve seen the 4 live action movies too and they’re really good (if it’s your thing, of course).

3. Agatha Christie no Meitantei Poirot to Marple (Agatha Christie`s Great Detectives Poirot and Marple)
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I actually didn’t start reading Christie until recently, so far, I’ve read Murder at the Vicarage, Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile.
As far as I know, the series is 39 episodes but they don’t seem to include Christie’s most popular works. Her works are kind of repetitive in a sense, in that you never can guess exactly…but she is a good study in human character and Poirot is definitely awesome. Miss Marple is less likable but I guess their good idea was to combine to the two detectives. It involves Marple’s nephew’s daughter, Mabel West and ensuing adventures of mystery and murder. I’m not sure how I feel about Marple and Poirot all in one setting but I’d give it a chance. Plus, Agatha Christie is the Queen of Crime, as they say.

4. Les Miserables: Shoujo Cossette
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Another famous source - Les Miserables, which unfortunately I never read because I always said I’d learn French fluently and then read the original. Didn’t happen. It’s by Victor Hugo, who also wrote the Hunchback of Notre Dame. This anime is actually quite recent and from several episode synopses I’ve read, it’s supposed to be quite good. Since, there seem to be fansubs of it - I believe I may pick it up soon as well. It’s basically about a French girl named Cossette who has to struggle through French society. There’s the musical, and various movies I’m sure all of which I’ve never seen.

5. Kaze no Shoujo Emily (Emily of New Moon)
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Another adaption of L.M Montgomery’s novel(s) (I can’t remember of Emily of New Moon has sequels, I think it does) about an orphan girl named Emily and her childhood adventures. I’ve read all of Montgomery’s novels, except maybe one or two of her short story collections. This is also a very wholesome story, interesting! and kind of moral-istic. I’m not sure everyone will have the patience to watch, and it’s not as good as Anne of Green Gables but it’s still pretty good. I’ve read that some people dislike the character design; I think I know what they mean as Emily seems to have a bulging forehead but hey.

Those are the major ones, I’d consider seeing but there’re quite a few other adaptations I’ll list off quickly in case anyone’s interested. These titles are popular children’s classics, at least to some people but I’m not sure how patient people have to be to watch some of these.

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Alps no Shoujo Heidi (Heidi)
This was a popular children’s classics, or is I mean but I’m not sure children nowadays would even consider it given Harry Potter and etc. It’s by Swiss author Joanna Spyri about a girl who lives in the mountains with her grandfather. Personally, I never could read the book but I’m impatient.

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Tom Sawyer no Bouken (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer)
Based on the book by Mark Twain. I can never remember if I’ve read Huck Finn or Tom Sawyer but it doesn’t really matter. I prefer A Connecticut Yankee in any case.

Watashi no ashinaga Ojisan (My Daddy Long Legs)
I’ve never read the book, but it’s about a girl who gets to go to school because a mysterious person “adopts” her, but long-distance and she has to write him letters every day. Now when I think about it, it’s kind of creepy…I guess that’s the society we’re in.

For anyone who’s interested in more series like these, a list of works produced by Nippon Animation can be found. They’ve pretty much contributed to every work I’ve listed, with the exception of a very few.

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Category: Series Reviews

A. Papillon is not amused.