Adaptations, it’s one of the most recurring things done in anime for previously unknown series to come to light. Whether it be a light noven, game or manga, there is always an adaptation for it ready for the screen and a number of these adaptations in fact improved the source material at certain points. A thing to note however is that all of these adaptations are of Japanese origin, rarely are there works that take on western origins. At one point though there was a studio that did in fact have a majorit yof works adapted from western literature, and it falls under the umbrella of Nippon Animation.
Nippon Animation is highly recognized as the animation studio of various works set in the western side of the world (European Countries, the Americas etc.). Under this studio is the Japanese TV anime staple, “World Masterpiece Theatre”, recognized for being the name behind many anime adaptations of western literature and bringing a new look to them such as with the following listed.
5. Princess Sarah
Based on the book many may know as “The Little Princess” this is the tale of a girl once who lived a life a wealthy but kind girl named Sara Crewe. Attending an all-girl’s seminary boarding school in London, she is adored by her fellow students and friends and is an excellent student. But when tragedy strikes and news of father passing away and her family turning bankrupt, Sara’s ideal lifestyle ends at the hands of school’s headmistress, Miss Minchin, who turns her into a maid for the school.
This is the tale of a young girl who perseveres through hard times with determination and the help of her friends. While there is no wild adventure or high flying action, there is human characters with interesting development and a classic tale that is brought to life with a different look to it.
4. The Bush Baby
For this story, it tells not of the struggles of a young girl who is put into a completely new environment or situation, but rather her adventures with a bushbaby that she names Murphy. Jackie Rhodes was a 13-year-old girl who lives in Kenya and travels the savannah where she encounters the injured bushbaby. When she adopts the small animal, new adventures arrive upon her as with the lose of her father’s job and her papers citing the bushbaby as her pet.
This is an adventure tale of a young girl escaping the pursuit of the police and poachers as she travels through the savannah alongside Tenbo, her father’s African assistant. Mixed in with it is the love of a young girl for an animal she is caring for as she attempts to prepare Murphy for surviving in the wild while being chased
3. Anne of Green Gables
In this story, adapted from the novel of the same name, it tells of a young red headed orphan girl named Anne and her adoption by a couple who owns a land named Green Gables. She is a dynamic character with her own flaws and relatable characteristics and brings a smile to the viewer. There is no grand villain, epic adventure or a need to save the world here, but rather instead, a story of a young girl’s growth and struggle in a new place with new people.
Many have noted how much real human qualities this series has shown in terms of characters and how well the plot drives the viewer to become more invested in them. While it may not have high stakes drama or exciting scenes of action, it does have an emotional quality to it that will draw in the viewer
2. My Daddy Long Legs
This is also a tale that involves the life of an orphaned red head named Judy, but rather than gaining a family, she gains the opportunity to attend the prestigious Lincoln Memorial High School with the help of a mysterious benefactor the prestigious Lincoln Memorial High School but calls “Daddy Long Legs” due to shadow she once saw of him. Covering three years of her life in the academy and after, this is a tale that tells of the life and struggles of a young girl who wishes to work hard with the opportunity she was given.
Similar to Anne, this is a tale of a young woman’s growth in a different environment, but rather than settling with a family she has to learn her way around a school of high prestige. Overall this is a tale of growth in friendship and self, mixed in with a dash of romance to further interest the viewer.
1. Trapp Family
Many may know of the film “Sound of Music”, the tale that tells of the lives of the Trapp Family Choir and how it became an iconic musical for many. But what some may not know is while the musical is a memorable piece to watch, it missed that mark of the actual story behind the von Trapp family and Maria. In this anime it does follow the initial plot of a free-spirited aspiring nun named Maria becoming a tutor for the von Trapp family.
What makes this anime different from the film is that it takes more focus on the development of the children as Maria enters into their lives. Though this is not a musical it does involve some singing yet is more focused on the different things that the children undergo. From as accepting Maria as their governess to dealing with the stipulations of being a Baron’s child, this is tale of a family growing back together from the catalyst that is Maria.