Anne Shirley Is the Shojo Anime You Didn't Know You Needed—Now Streaming on Crunchyroll

The announcement of the new anime adaptation was met with excitement, especially among anime fans. Contrary to common belief, Anne Shirley isn’t categorized as shojo anime; it’s not derived from a shojo manga or light novel. Instead, it’s based on Anne of Green Gables, a novel that was intended for everyone, although it has historically resonated strongly with young female audiences, authored by L.M. Montgomery.

The original “Anne of Green Gables” fits seamlessly into conventions typically found in shojo genres. Consequently, the recent anime adaptation titled “Anne Shirley” appears as if it was crafted specifically for the shojo anime genre. Numerous elements characteristic of shojo anime and manga, such as tropes, storylines, motifs, and character types, are also fundamental to “Anne Shirley“.

Both Anne of Green Gables & Shojo Anime Have Enjoyed a Recent Renaissance

L.M. Montgomery’s Work Will Never Go Out of Favor

I’ve noticed that the timeless tale of Anne of Green Gables, first penned in 1908 and set in the late Victorian era, continues to captivate hearts a century later. Even as I observe, numerous readers find themselves resonating with Anne Shirley and the cast of characters who share her life on Prince Edward Island. Interestingly, Anne Shirley is a modern adaptation of the 1979 anime series version of Anne of Green Gables, known as Akage no Anne.

In the early 1900s, the first Shojo manga emerged with characters around Anne Shirley’s age. Shojo anime and manga often focus on girl and young woman protagonists, delving into topics such as personal growth, family, imagination, love, and friendship. Despite fewer consistent releases and series renewals, fans have been thrilled by a modern “Shojo Revival,” with an increase in announced anime adaptations.

As a devoted admirer of Anne of Green Gables, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation and nostalgia upon hearing about the new anime adaptation, Anne Shirley. While it may not be classified as a shojo anime per se, its arrival comes at an interesting time, following Netflix’s decision to cancel their live-action series, Anne with an E.

In the four episodes that have been released so far, fans have drawn comparisons between Anne Shirley, the original anime adaptation, Anne with an E, the source novel, and other shojo series. It seems that this new adaptation shares many of the tropes and genre conventions commonly found in shojo anime.

However, what truly sets Anne Shirley apart is its tone. Reminiscent of various shojo titles, ranging from timeless classics to modern releases, the tone of this new adaptation resonates deeply with me and many other fans. It’s a feeling that I can only describe as a delightful fusion of the heartwarming, the dramatic, and the whimsical – all hallmarks of the shojo genre at its finest.

Anne Shirley Is an Archetypal Shojo Anime Protagonist in Many Ways

Anne Is in Love with the World Around Her

Shojo anime characters are often designed to be relatable by having aspirations and imperfections. A frequent trope, occasionally bordering on a cliché, involves these shojo characters being excessively optimistic and cheerful, sometimes to the extent of appearing naive. This naivety is more acceptable when executed skillfully because these characters are intended to represent youth, aligning with their young audience. The story “Anne Shirley” commences as Anne turns 11 years old.

In a typical shojo anime, the leading character is usually a bit clumsy yet charming, guided by compassion and frequently earning both friends and adversaries through their kindness, much like Anne endears the Cuthberts with her spirited honesty. Unlike traditional characters in these series who are often precocious and obsessed with power accumulation, the main character in shojo anime undergoes a journey to develop self-assurance and other personal qualities.

In the timeless shojo series, “Sailor Moon“, it’s Usagi Tsukino, our magical protagonist, who wields celestial powers as a warrior. While her power-ups are captivating, what truly resonates is how the antagonists challenge her character – spirit and ethics as a leader. The core of Usagi’s journey, however, lies in her transformation from a timid, fearful girl into a wise, self-assured leader, fully aware of her place in the world. This profound character development is what connects ’90s kids to Usagi, despite her being a moon princess who battles monsters.

Anne’s Cheerful Personality Compares to Tohru Honda’s From Fruits Basket

Anne is exceptionally vivacious and shares many traits with a “de-idealized” character, which are frequently found in shojo anime. While these characters are typically love-struck romantically, Anne and Tohru’s versions of being love-struck stem from their unique perspectives on the world. It could be suggested that Anne’s affection for Diana transcends the level of a typical de-idealized character, as her admiration for her bosom friend is profound, bordering on the intensity often associated with romantic love.

Love can blossom from various sources, some intricate and others straightforward. Tohru and Anne are characters who can quickly become emotional when they overthink things. They are remarkably sensitive and sentimental individuals, showing an extraordinary level of emotion. Their talents lie in romanticizing situations through artistic and philosophical perspectives, and they occasionally display childish behavior due to their youth. However, beneath this playful exterior lies a deep well of compassion and a robust sense of ethics.

Or, more colloquially: Love can grow from all sorts of places, some complicated or simple. Tohru and Anne are super emotional when they think too much about things. They’re incredibly sensitive, teary-eyed characters who love to see the beauty in everything around them, even if it makes them seem a little goofy because of their youth. But don’t let that fool you – they’ve got a heart full of compassion and a strong moral code guiding them.

The Anne of Green Gables Plot & Themes Mirror Many Shojo Anime Storytelling Conventions

Anne Shirley Matches the Tone of a Few Shojo Anime Series

Anne Fits in Easily Alongside Classic Shojo Anime Heroines, Like the Developing Artist Shizuku in Whisper of the Heart

Shojo anime often adheres to certain common themes and narrative structures, yet it uses these elements creatively to spin a variety of captivating stories. For instance, the beloved Studio Ghibli film “Whisper of the Heart” is an adaptation from a shojo manga. The movie chronicles Shizuku’s journey as she experiences her first romance with a mysterious library competitor. Simultaneously, it serves as a heartwarming tale about a young girl discovering her artistic potential.

In the same vein as Anne, Shizuku possesses an exceptional depth of knowledge and a lively creativity. This dynamic mind suggests they are destined for a creative profession, although finding the right path may require some trial and error. Throughout Whisper of the Heart, Shizuku endeavors to explore various forms of creative writing, discovering what truly resonates with her. Similar to Anne, she discovers her unique voice by identifying what stimulates her imagination most profoundly. For Shizuku, this turns out to be an antiques shop and a quirky cat statue that captivate her spirit. Much like Anne, Shizuku faces challenges in academic settings, demonstrating that even highly creative and intelligent individuals may grapple with achieving balance and require support and appropriate guidance to flourish.

Anne Has the Same Pluck, Resourcefulness, & Hair Color as the Heroine Shirayuki in Snow White with the Red Hair

Anne frequently envisions herself as the protagonist in a classic fairy tale due to several factors. Firstly, her personal struggles and hardships resonate with those experienced by heroines such as Cinderella, offering her solace amidst adversity. Secondly, these tales instill hope within her. Lastly, Anne is an intelligent, literature-loving child who harbors a deep affection for romantic narratives. Her character traits are reminiscent of popular shojo anime heroines like Shirayuki from “Snow White with the Red Hair.

Shirayuki shares traits of courage and resilience similar to Anne. Her courage and ability to survive are evident. With a knack for plants and herbalism, Shirayuki utilizes her skills to aid herself and others, frequently playing the hero in Snow White with the Red Hair. This is demonstrated early on when she rescues a prince from poisoning. Similarly, Anne Shirley finds herself in various predicaments and mishaps, but consistently proves herself capable and eager to save the day, as seen in Anne Shirley Episode 4, “One Can’t Stay Sad Very Long in Such an Interesting World.

Fans of Shojo Anime & Anne of Green Gables Will Find Anne Shirley Nostalgic & Authentic

Anne Shirley Is a Multi-Faceted Anime Adaptation

If you’re someone who has been captivated by shojo tales since childhood, you’d appreciate a good shojo for its emphasis on emotion. Even without a touch of magic in the plot, there’s an undeniable charm that pervades the main character’s demeanor, the artistry, the melodious soundtrack, or the seemingly fortuitous events in her life. Anne Shirley embodies these traits effortlessly in every frame and character, but most notably with the title character herself. She doesn’t simply meet the standard of emotional authenticity and whimsy; she encapsulates it to perfection.

It appears that the “Anne Shirley” anime might just be answering a long-held desire among shojo anime enthusiasts since the ’90s. Unlike many other shojo series, which often end after one or two seasons, only a handful of non-fantasy anime follow their protagonist from childhood to adulthood, such as “Boys Over Flowers,” “Marmalade Boy,” and “ItaKiss.” With four episodes already covering almost half of the first “Anne of Green Gables” book, and 20 more episodes left in the first season, there’s a strong possibility that this anime series will continue Anne’s story well into her teenage and adult years.

2025-05-02 02:37

Anne Shirley Is the Shojo Anime You Didn’t Know You Needed—Now Streaming on Crunchyroll