"Katari, Girl of the Farm": A thorough analysis of the touching story and the appeal of its characters

Katri, the Farm Girl - A moving story and its appeal

■Overview of the work

"Katri, Girl of the Farm" is a TV anime series produced by Nippon Animation and Fuji Television that aired in 1984. It is based on the novels "TAIMEN PIIKA JAEMANTA" and "Paimen Piika ja emanta" by Finnish author Auni Nuoriwaala, and is a moving story about the growth and struggles of a young girl named Katri, set in Finland before the First World War. The series aired on Fuji Television from January 8 to December 23, 1984, with a total of 49 episodes airing on Sundays from 7 to 8 p.m. This work was also selected as the winner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs' Excellent Children's Television Film Award in 1984, and was highly praised for its moving story and beautiful visuals.

■ Story

Finland around the time of World War I. The main character, Katri, is waiting at her grandparents' house for her mother, who has gone to work in Germany, to return. However, life is poor, and when her grandfather is injured, Katri decides to go out and work herself. Katri begins working as a livestock herder, and eventually gains the trust of the adults around her, and begins to work as a housekeeper as well. As she gets to know many adults and deepens her knowledge and experience, Katri grows greatly. Her purity and strength deeply moved viewers.

■Explanation

The original work is Auni Nuoriwaala's "A Girl from the Farm," a three-part story depicting a woman's life. The anime version is based on a translation commissioned to the Japan-Finland Literature Association, and although the original work itself is a minor work, it is highly popular among fans of the Masterpiece Theater series. Set against the backdrop of Finnish nature and culture, this work, which depicts Katri's growth and the deepening of human relationships, was loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults.

■Cast

Hiromi Oikawa plays Catri, Toru Furuya plays Malty, Kohei Miyauchi plays Julis, Yoshiko Fujita plays Sarah, Tsubasa Shioya plays Pekka, Naoko Kyoda plays Hilda, and Reiko Muto serves as narrator. The wonderful performances of these voice actors make Catri's story even more moving.

■ Main staff

Based on the novel "TAIMEN PIIKA JAEMANTA" by Auni Nuoriwaala, produced by Koichi Motohashi, production management by Mitsuru Takakuwa, planning by Shoji Sato and Eiichi Kubota (Fuji TV), music by Toru Fuyuki, theme music and conducting by Hiroshi Kumagai from Sibelius' "Finlandaire" by the Tokyo Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, directed by Hiroshi Saito, assistant directors Hiromi Sugimura and Jiro Saito, producer Ryuji Matsudo and assistant producer Eriko Yoshinari. (Episodes 1-30), scriptwriter is Akira Miyazaki, character designer and animation director is Noboru Takano, animation directors are Noriko Moritomo, Yoshiharu Sato, and Hiroe Hoya, art director is Taizaburou Abe, art assistant is Mayumi Ishida, director of photography is Keiichi Kuroki, sound director is Tsunehiro Komatsu, color design is Kaoru Uno, animation is by Oh Production, Studio Musashi, Sumiko Asato, Kuniyuki Ishii, Kazuo Ushigoe, Yoichi Mieno, and Nakagawa The cast includes Toshiko, Take Eiichiro, Murata Akiko, and Hidata Kumiko, opening animation by Takematsu Issei and Moritomo Noriko, ending animation by Sato Yoshiharu, finishing touches by Studio Robin, backgrounds by Studio Aqua and Studio Loft, photography by Trans Arts, recording studio by Taihei Studio, developing lab by Toyo Development Laboratory, titles by Michikawa Akira and Kikuchi Kumiko, positive editing and editing by Segawa Takeshi and Kasahara Yoshihiro, negative editing by Kamitsunori Hidetoshi, storyboards by Kusuba Kozo and Kiyose Jiro, assistant directors Sugimura Hiromi and Saito Jiro, production desk by Kozori Shunichi, production assistants Suzuki Takashi, Nakanishi Nobuaki, Kamata Hidemi, Kobayashi Masahiko, Ishii Yoshimitsu, Yaegaki Takanori, production cooperation with the Finnish Tourist Board, the Japan-Finland Literature Association, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Watanabe Midori, and produced by Nippon Animation and Fuji Television. The efforts and talents of these staff members have made "Katori, Girl of the Farm" into a masterpiece.

■ Main Characters

Katri is the main character, a pure-hearted and strong-willed girl. Sarah is Katri's friend and supports her. Abel is the cow that Katri takes care of and is also a symbol of her growth. Marti is the owner of the ranch where Katri works and is someone who watches over her growth. Pekka is Katri's childhood friend and supports her emotionally. These characters enrich Katri's story.

■Subtitle

The subtitles of each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: Farewell (1984/01/08)
• Episode 2: Friends (1984/01/15)
• Episode 3: Spring Storm (1984/01/22)
• Episode 4: Determination (1984/01/29)
• Episode 5: Departure (05 February 1984)
• Episode 6: My Master (1984/02/12)
• Episode 7: Madam (1984/02/19)
• Episode 8: Disaster (26 February 1984)
• Episode 9: Love (March 4, 1984)
• Episode 10: Promise (1984/03/11)
• Episode 11: Fight (1984/03/18)
• Episode 12: Letter (1984/03/25)
• Episode 13: A Wonderful Gift (1984/04/01)
• Episode 14: The First Invitation (1984/04/08)
• Episode 15: Unexpected Salary (1984/04/15)
• Episode 16: The Lost Sheep (1984/04/22)
• Episode 17: The Day the Wolf Was Killed (1984/04/29)
• Episode 18: Two Fires (1984/05/06)
• Episode 19: Neighbors (1984/05/13)
• Episode 20: The one who came and the one who left (1984/05/20)
• Episode 21: Abel is the Target (1984/05/27)
• Episode 22: Waiting for Spring (1984/06/03)
• Episode 23: Which is stronger, a bear or a bull? (1984/06/17)
• Episode 24: Meeting and Parting (1984/06/24)
• Episode 25: What Happened on the Island (1984/07/01)
• Episode 26: The Person Who Helped Me (1984/07/08)
• Episode 27: Growing up in the city (1984/07/15)
• Episode 28: A New Life (1984/07/22)
• Episode 29: I Was Dreaming (1984/08/05)
• Episode 30: Like a Beautiful Swan (1984/08/12)
• Episode 31: The Book Has Arrived (1984/08/19)
• Episode 32: The Magic Book and the Devil (1984/08/26)
• Episode 33: Joy and Sorrow (1984/09/02)
• Episode 34: Helsinki (September 9, 1984)
• Episode 35: Father and Daughter (1984/09/16)
• Episode 36: The Wife's Decision (1984/09/23)
• Episode 37: Lost Abel (1984/09/30)
• Episode 38: Each One's Own Way (1984/10/07)
• Episode 39: Party at the Haruma Mansion (1984/10/14)
• Episode 40: Travelling companions (1984/10/21)
• Episode 41: The Man from Turku (1984/10/28)
• Episode 42: A Picture Book Without Pictures (1984/11/04)
• Episode 43: I rode in a car! (11/11/1984)
• Episode 44: The Hateful Girl (1984/11/18)
• Episode 45: A Tiring Day (1984/11/25)
• Episode 46: Beautiful Things (1984/12/02)
• Episode 47: The Souvenir Schoolbag (1984/12/09)
• Episode 48: Ah, School Entrance (1984/12/16)
• Episode 49: Mother's Return (1984/12/23)

■ Theme songs and music

The opening theme is "LOVE WITH YOU~Love's Present" with lyrics by Ito Kaoru, music by Miki Takashi, arrangement by Washizu Shiro, and singing by Kobayashi Chie. The ending theme is "Wind Lullaby" with lyrics by Ito Kaoru, music by Miki Takashi, arrangement by Washizu Shiro, and singing by Kobayashi Chie. These theme songs made the story of Katori even more moving.

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Katri, Girl of the Farm" captivated many viewers with its moving story and beautiful images. The film depicts Katri's purity and strength, as well as the deep relationships she has with the people around her, deeply moving viewers. The story, set against the backdrop of Finnish nature and culture, has been loved by a wide range of audiences, from children to adults. The film was also selected as the winner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs' Children's Television Award in 1984, confirming its high acclaim.

■Reasons for recommendation

"Katri, Girl of the Farm" is a masterpiece that depicts a moving story, beautiful images, and deep human relationships. Katri's purity and strength, as well as the deep bonds with the people around her, are depicted, deeply moving viewers. The story, set against the backdrop of Finnish nature and culture, is sure to be loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults. This work was also selected as the winner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs' Excellent Children's Television Film Award in 1984, proving its high acclaim. Please watch it and experience Katri's moving story.