Alps Story: My Annette - A touching anime masterpiece reevaluated

"My Annette: A Tale of the Alps": A story of friendship and growth

"Alps Story: My Annette" is a TV anime series produced by Nippon Animation and aired in 1983. It is based on Patricia St. John's novel "Treasure of the Snow" and is a moving story about the friendship and growth of Annette and Lucien, set in the village of Rossinière in western Switzerland. This work is known as one of the World Masterpiece Theater series and was selected as an outstanding work for children's television by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 1983.

Broadcast information

"Alps Monogatari: Watashi no Annette" was broadcast on Fuji TV from January 9th to December 25th, 1983, every Sunday from 7:30pm to 8pm. The series, which consisted of 48 episodes, each 30 minutes long, became a beloved series among viewers.

story

Annette and Lucien, who live in the village of Rossinières in western Switzerland, have been best friends since childhood. However, they get into a fight over something trivial, which results in Annette's younger brother Danny falling off a cliff and leaving him needing crutches. This incident causes Lucien to feel guilty, and Annette also feels disgusted with herself for not being able to forgive him. Meanwhile, Lucien learns that there is a doctor who can heal Danny's leg, and he decides to cross a mountain pass in a snowstorm to visit him. This story is one of friendship, forgiveness, and growth.

Commentary

"My Annette: Tales of the Alps" was directed by Kozo Kusaba, who is known as the director of the World Masterpiece Theater series. Kusaba went on to produce many masterpieces and is an important figure who built the foundation of the World Masterpiece Theater. Yoshiharu Sato, who was in charge of character design and animation direction, also served as animation direction for the first time on this work and went on to work on subsequent World Masterpiece Theater series. This work captivated many viewers with its beautiful Swiss scenery and heartwarming story.

cast

The main cast includes talented voice actors such as Keiko Han as Annette, Eiko Yamada as Lucien, Osamu Kobayashi as Pierre, and Miyuki Muroi as Danny. Yukiko Nashiwa also serves as the narrator, gently guiding the story.

Main Staff

The story is based on Patricia St. John's novel "Treasure of Snow" and is set in Switzerland. It was produced by Nippon Animation and Fuji Television, with music by Ryohei Hirose. The screenplay was written by Kenji Yoshida and Hiroshi Otsuka, and character designs were by Issei Takematsu, Yoshiharu Sato, and Hidemi Maeda. Art direction was by Masahiro Ioka and Taizaburo Abe, and the beautiful background art enhanced the story.

Main Characters

Annette is a tomboyish and strong-willed girl who is also prone to self-loathing. She prides herself on being a mother figure to Danny, but sometimes this makes her work too hard. In reality, she is a genuine and kind girl. On the other hand, Lucien is a bit of a complainer, but a good-natured boy who is good at woodcarving. Since meeting Peguine, his skills have improved even more. Pierre is Annette's father, a livestock farmer and a master cheese maker. Danny is Annette's younger brother, a genuine and kind-hearted person, but he lost his mother, Francine. Peguine is a mysterious old man who lives alone in the forest, and is Lucien's mentor in life and woodcarving.

subtitle

The subtitles of the 48 episodes are key elements that indicate the development of the story, starting with episode 1, "Annette and Lucien," and concluding with episode 48, "Friendship Forever." As the story progresses, the titles of each episode delve deeper into themes such as friendship, growth, and forgiveness.

Theme songs and music

The opening theme, "Annette's Blue Sky," was written by Aki Yoko, composed by Hirose Ryohei, and sung by Han Keiko. The ending theme, "Edelweiss's White Flower," was also written by Aki Yoko, composed by Hirose Ryohei, and sung by Han Keiko. These songs are important elements that further deepen the emotion of the story.

Recognition and Awards

"Alps Story: My Annette" was selected as an outstanding children's television work by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 1983. This award is proof that the high quality of the work and its educational value for children were recognized. It has also received strong support from viewers and continues to be loved by many fans.

Reasons for recommendation

"My Annette" is a touching story about friendship and growth. The beautiful Swiss scenery and heartwarming story are beautifully combined to deeply touch the viewer. The themes of character growth and the renewal of friendship will resonate with a wide range of audiences, from children to adults. In particular, Lucien's self-sacrifice and Annette's growth provide many lessons for the viewer. This is a great anime to watch with the whole family and will be nourishment for the soul.

Related information

"Alps Story: My Annette" can be viewed on DVD and Blu-ray. The original novel "Treasure of Snow" has also been published, which gives more details about the background of the story. In addition, related goods and soundtracks are also available for sale, making them essential items for fans.

Conclusion

"My Annette" is a touching story of friendship and growth, a beautiful mix of Swiss scenery and a heartwarming story. This animation deeply touches the viewer and teaches many lessons, making it a perfect family film and a source of nourishment for the soul. Please give it a watch.