A thorough analysis of the appeal and emotion of "Princess Sara"! A reevaluation of the classic anime that will surely bring you to tears

"A Little Princess Sara": A moving story depicting the light and shadow of the Victorian era

"A Little Princess Sara," which aired in 1985, is a TV anime series based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel "A Little Princess." This work, which won the 1985 Child Welfare Culture Encouragement Award, is set in Victorian England and depicts the growth of a young girl named Sara and her overcoming of adversity. The series aired on Fuji TV from January 6 to December 29, 1985, every Sunday from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m., with a total of 46 episodes.

story

The story begins with Sara, who has just enrolled at Minchin's Boarding School for Girls in London. Sara is kind to everyone and quickly becomes popular at the school. However, the headmistress Minchin and the American student Lavinia do not like her. During Sara's 11th birthday party, news of her father Ralph Crewe's death is announced, leaving Sara penniless overnight. Not only is she kicked out of the school, but she is forced to work as a maid for her former classmates. Despite the support of Becky and Peter, Sara struggles through her difficult days, but a mysterious event changes her fate.

Commentary

Set in Victorian England, "A Little Princess" depicts the light and dark sides of the British Empire, such as boarding schools, colonial India, pollution, and poverty. When it was broadcast, it also raised the issue of "bullying" in schools, which deeply moved and sympathized with viewers. As it depicts Sara's kindness and strength, as well as the bonds she forms with the people around her, viewers are touched by her growth and her ability to overcome adversity.

cast

The cast includes a star-studded cast of voice actors, including Sumi Shimamoto as Sara, Taeko Nakanishi as Miss Minchin, and Chinatsu Sakamoto as Peter. The performances of the voice actors who play the unique characters, such as Eiko Yamada as Lavinia, Naoko Watanabe as Lottie, and Maki Yamozaka as Ermengarde, are also a highlight of the film.

Main Staff

The film was directed by Fumio Kurokawa and produced by Nippon Animation and Fuji Television. It is based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess and is set in England. The music is by Yasuo Higuchi and the character designs are by Shunji Saito. The screenplay was written by Ryuzo Nakanishi, Keiko Mukuroji, and Hidemi Kamata, and the film was directed by Fumio Kurokawa and many other staff members.

Main Characters

Sarah is a young lady with English and French parents who grew up in India. She is popular because of her kind personality, but sometimes it can backfire and earn her resentment. Miss Minchin is the headmaster of the school, and her judgment is based on money. She is a tough person who is difficult to approach. Peter is an original character in the anime, and even after Sarah's downfall, he calls her "Young Lady" and takes care of her in various ways. Lavinia is a rich student with American parents, and she resents Sarah because of her mean personality. Lottie is a four-year-old student in the younger group, and she calls Sarah "Mama." Ermengarde is Sarah's friend, and although she is not good at studying, she has a kind heart. Jessie and Gertrude are Lavinia's minions, and Jessie is round and Gertrude is tall. Amelia is Minchin's younger sister and a teacher, but she couldn't defy her older sister. Becky is a maid from Yorkshire who adores Sarah. James and Morley are cooks at the school, but they are not very good people. Crewe is Sarah's father, and he owns a diamond mine in India, but he dies of a fever. Barrow is Mr. Crewe's trustee and a lawyer. Ramdas is an Indian butler for Mr. Crisford, who has moved into the house next door to Minchin's School, and is light on his feet and comfortable on the roof. Crisford is Mr. Crewe's best friend and partner in the diamond mine, and he was looking for Sarah.

subtitle

The subtitles for all 46 episodes are as follows:

• 1. Minchin Girls' School
• 2. Emily Doll
• 3. First lesson
• 4. Best Friend Ermengarde
• 5. Crybaby Lottie
• 6. Becky the Cinderella
• 7. Representative students
• 8. The Kind Lady
• 9. Letter from India
• 10. Two Presents
• 11. Princess' Birthday
• 12. Dark Room in the Attic
• 13. A Hard Day at Work
• 14. Late Night Guest
• 15. Peter the Town Boy
• 16. The Adventures of Lottie
• 17. My Little Friend Mel's Family
• 18. Sad Maypole Festival
• 19. Call from India
• 20. The Mysterious Special Room Student
• 21. Sadness in Tears
• 22. Attic Party
• 23. The Friendly Baker
• 24. Emily's Fate
• 25. Cinderella for a Day
• 26. The Little Teacher of the Younger Classes
• 27. Doctor Dufarge's Return
• 28. Summer Vacation Mayhem
• 29. Becky's Homecoming
• 30. The Gentleman from India
• 31. The Monster in the Attic
• 32. Secrets Beyond the Wall
• 33. New School Year's Mischief
• 34. Atonement in the Storm
• 35. A Life that is about to Disappear
• 36. The Beginning of Magic
• 37. Attic chaos
• 38. Broken Magic
• 39. A Cold Night in the Stable
• 40. Tears of Teacher Amelia
• 41. Fairy Party
• 42. Exile on a Snowy Day
• 43. A lovely package of happiness
• 44. Oh, this one!
• 45. Miss Minchin's Regrets
• 46. ​​Until We Meet Again

Related Titles

A related work to "Princess Sara" is "Princess Ceddie," an anime based on a work by Frances Hodgson Burnett and also produced by Nippon Animation.

Theme songs and music

The opening theme, "Whisper of Flowers," was written by Nakanishi Rei, composed by Morita Kouichi, arranged by Hattori Katsuhisa, and sung by Shimonari Satoko. The ending theme, "Himawari," was also written by Nakanishi Rei, composed by Morita Kouichi, arranged by Hattori Katsuhisa, and sung by Shimonari Satoko. Both were released by Canyon Records.

Evaluation and Impressions

Set in Victorian England, "A Little Princess" is a moving story about the growth of a young girl named Sara and her overcoming of adversity. As Sara's kindness and strength, as well as her bonds with the people around her, are depicted, viewers are touched by her growth and overcoming of adversity. At the time of its broadcast, the issue of "bullying" in schools was also a hot topic, and viewers were deeply moved and sympathized with the show.

This work won the Child Welfare Culture Encouragement Award in 1985, which shows how highly acclaimed it is. The character of Sara, who treats everyone kindly and never loses hope even in difficult situations, resonated with many viewers. In addition, characters such as Miss Minchin and Lavinia are also rich in personality, adding depth to the story.

The music also adds to the appeal of the work, with the opening theme "Whisper of Flowers" and the ending theme "Himawari" touching the hearts of viewers with the beautiful singing voice of Satoko Shimonari. The animation quality is also high, with the character designs, background art, and other details carefully drawn.

Reasons for recommendation

"A Little Princess Sara" is a touching story about a young girl's growth and overcoming adversity, and is a work that deeply moves and sympathizes with viewers. As Sara's kindness and strength, as well as the bonds with the people around her, are depicted, viewers are moved by her growth and overcoming adversity. In addition, with the backdrop of Victorian England, the show depicts the light and dark sides of the British Empire, such as boarding schools, colonial India, pollution, and poverty, making the historical background interesting.

This work won the Child Welfare Culture Encouragement Award in 1985, which shows how highly acclaimed it is. The character of Sara, who treats everyone kindly and never loses hope even in difficult situations, resonated with many viewers. In addition, characters such as Miss Minchin and Lavinia are also rich in personality, adding depth to the story.

The music also adds to the appeal of the work, with the opening theme "Whisper of Flowers" and the ending theme "Himawari" touching the hearts of viewers with the beautiful singing voice of Satoko Shimonari. The animation quality is also high, with the character designs, background art, and other details carefully drawn.

"A Little Princess Sara" is a touching story about a young girl's growth and overcoming adversity, and is a work that deeply moves and sympathizes with viewers. As Sara's kindness and strength, as well as the bonds with the people around her, are depicted, viewers are moved by her growth and overcoming adversity. In addition, with the backdrop of Victorian England, the show depicts the light and dark sides of the British Empire, such as boarding schools, colonial India, pollution, and poverty, making the historical background interesting.

This work won the Child Welfare Culture Encouragement Award in 1985, which shows how highly acclaimed it is. The character of Sara, who treats everyone kindly and never loses hope even in difficult situations, resonated with many viewers. In addition, characters such as Miss Minchin and Lavinia are also rich in personality, adding depth to the story.

The music also adds to the appeal of the work, with the opening theme "Whisper of Flowers" and the ending theme "Himawari" touching the hearts of viewers with the beautiful singing voice of Satoko Shimonari. The animation quality is also high, with the character designs, background art, and other details carefully drawn.

"A Little Princess Sara" is a touching story about a young girl's growth and overcoming adversity, and is a work that deeply moves and sympathizes with viewers. As Sara's kindness and strength, as well as the bonds with the people around her, are depicted, viewers are moved by her growth and overcoming adversity. In addition, with the backdrop of Victorian England, it depicts the light and dark of the British Empire, such as boarding schools, India as a colony, pollution and poverty, and the historical background is also interesting.

This work won the Child Welfare Culture Encouragement Award in 1985, which shows how highly acclaimed it is. The character of Sara, who treats everyone kindly and never loses hope even in difficult situations, resonated with many viewers. In addition, characters such as Miss Minchin and Lavinia are also rich in personality, adding depth to the story.

The music also adds to the appeal of the work, with the opening theme "Whisper of Flowers" and the ending theme "Himawari" touching the hearts of viewers with the beautiful singing voice of Satoko Shimonari. The animation quality is also high, with the character designs, background art, and other details carefully drawn.

"A Little Princess Sara" is a touching story about a young girl's growth and overcoming adversity, and is a work that deeply moves and sympathizes with viewers. As Sara's kindness and strength, as well as the bonds with the people around her, are depicted, viewers are moved by her growth and overcoming adversity. In addition, with the backdrop of Victorian England, the show depicts the light and dark sides of the British Empire, such as boarding schools, colonial India, pollution, and poverty, making the historical background interesting.

This work won the Child Welfare Culture Encouragement Award in 1985, which shows how highly acclaimed it is. The character of Sara, who treats everyone kindly and never loses hope even in difficult situations, resonated with many viewers. In addition, characters such as Miss Minchin and Lavinia are also rich in personality, adding depth to the story.

The music also adds to the appeal of the work, with the opening theme "Whisper of Flowers" and the ending theme "Himawari" touching the hearts of viewers with the beautiful singing voice of Satoko Shimonari. The animation quality is also high, with the character designs, background art, and other details carefully drawn.

"A Little Princess Sara" is a touching story about a young girl's growth and overcoming adversity, and is a work that deeply moves and sympathizes with viewers. As Sara's kindness and strength, as well as the bonds with the people around her, are depicted, viewers are moved by her growth and overcoming adversity. In addition, with the backdrop of Victorian England, it depicts the light and dark of the British Empire, such as boarding schools, India as a colony, pollution and poverty, and the historical background is also interesting.

This work won the Child Welfare Culture Encouragement Award in 1985, which shows how highly acclaimed it is. The character of Sara, who treats everyone kindly and never loses hope even in difficult situations, resonated with many viewers. In addition, characters such as Miss Minchin and Lavinia are also rich in personality, adding depth to the story.

The music also adds to the appeal of the work, with the opening theme "Whisper of Flowers" and the ending theme "Himawari" touching the hearts of viewers with the beautiful singing voice of Satoko Shimonari. The animation quality is also high, with the character designs, background art, and other details carefully drawn.

"A Little Princess Sara" is a touching story about a young girl's growth and overcoming adversity, and is a work that deeply moves and sympathizes with viewers. As Sara's kindness and strength, as well as the bonds with the people around her, are depicted, viewers are moved by her growth and overcoming adversity. In addition, with the backdrop of Victorian England, it depicts the light and dark of the British Empire, such as boarding schools, India as a colony, pollution and poverty, and the historical background is also interesting.

This work won the Child Welfare Culture Encouragement Award in 1985, which shows how highly acclaimed it is. The character of Sara, who treats everyone kindly and never loses hope even in difficult situations, resonated with many viewers. In addition, characters such as Miss Minchin and Lavinia are also rich in personality, adding depth to the story.

The music also adds to the appeal of the work, with the opening theme "Whisper of Flowers" and the ending theme "Himawari" touching the hearts of viewers with the beautiful singing voice of Satoko Shimonari. The animation quality is also high, with the character designs, background art, and other details carefully drawn.

"A Little Princess Sara" is a touching story about a young girl's growth and overcoming adversity, and is a work that deeply moves and sympathizes with viewers. As Sara's kindness and strength, as well as the bonds with the people around her, are depicted, viewers are moved by her growth and overcoming adversity. In addition, with the backdrop of Victorian England, it depicts the light and dark of the British Empire, such as boarding schools, India as a colony, pollution and poverty, and the historical background is also interesting.

This work won the Child Welfare Culture Encouragement Award in 1985, which shows how highly acclaimed it is. The character of Sara, who treats everyone kindly and never loses hope even in difficult situations, resonated with many viewers. In addition, characters such as Miss Minchin and Lavinia are also rich in personality, adding depth to the story.

The music also adds to the appeal of the work, with the opening theme "Whisper of Flowers" and the ending theme "Himawari" touching the hearts of viewers with the beautiful singing voice of Satoko Shimonari. The animation quality is also high, with the character designs, background art, and other details carefully drawn.

"A Little Princess Sara" is a touching story about a young girl's growth and overcoming adversity, and is a work that deeply moves and sympathizes with viewers. As Sara's kindness and strength, as well as the bonds with the people around her, are depicted, viewers are moved by her growth and overcoming adversity. In addition, with the backdrop of Victorian England, the show depicts the light and dark sides of the British Empire, such as boarding schools, colonial India, pollution, and poverty, making the historical background interesting.

This work won the Child Welfare Culture Encouragement Award in 1985, which shows how highly acclaimed it is. The character of Sara, who treats everyone kindly and never loses hope even in difficult situations, resonated with many viewers. In addition, characters such as Miss Minchin and Lavinia are also rich in personality, adding depth to the story.

The music also adds to the appeal of the work, with the opening theme "Whisper of Flowers" and the ending theme "Himawari" touching the hearts of viewers with the beautiful singing voice of Satoko Shimonari. The animation quality is also high, with the character designs, background art, and other details carefully drawn.

"A Little Princess Sara" is a touching story about a young girl's growth and overcoming adversity, and is a work that deeply moves and sympathizes with viewers. As Sara's kindness and strength, as well as the bonds with the people around her, are depicted, viewers are moved by her growth and overcoming adversity. In addition, with the backdrop of Victorian England, the show depicts the light and dark sides of the British Empire, such as boarding schools, colonial India, pollution, and poverty, making the historical background interesting.

This work won the Child Welfare Culture Encouragement Award in 1985, which shows how highly acclaimed it is. The character of Sara, who treats everyone kindly and never loses hope even in difficult situations, resonated with many viewers. In addition, characters such as Miss Minchin and Lavinia are also rich in personality, adding depth to the story.

The music also adds to the appeal of the work, with the opening theme "Whisper of Flowers" and the ending theme "Himawari" touching the hearts of viewers with the beautiful singing voice of Satoko Shimonari. The animation quality is also high, with the character designs, background art, and other details carefully drawn.

"A Little Princess Sara" is a touching story about a young girl's growth and overcoming adversity, and is a work that deeply moves and sympathizes with viewers. As Sara's kindness and strength, as well as the bonds with the people around her, are depicted, viewers are moved by her growth and overcoming adversity. In addition, with the backdrop of Victorian England, the show depicts the light and dark sides of the British Empire, such as boarding schools, colonial India, pollution, and poverty, making the historical background interesting.

This work won the Child Welfare Culture Encouragement Award in 1985, which shows how highly acclaimed it is. The character of Sara, who treats everyone kindly and never loses hope even in difficult situations, resonated with many viewers. In addition, characters such as Miss Minchin and Lavinia are also rich in personality, adding depth to the story.

The music also adds to the appeal of the work, with the opening theme "Whisper of Flowers" and the ending theme "Himawari" touching the hearts of viewers with the beautiful singing voice of Satoko Shimonari. The animation quality is also high, with the character designs, background art, and other details carefully drawn.

"A Little Princess Sara" is a touching story about a young girl's growth and overcoming adversity, and is a work that deeply moves and sympathizes with viewers. As Sara's kindness and strength, as well as the bonds with the people around her, are depicted, viewers are moved by her growth and overcoming adversity. In addition, with the backdrop of Victorian England, it depicts the light and dark of the British Empire, such as boarding schools, India as a colony, pollution and poverty, and the historical background is also interesting.

This work won the Child Welfare Culture Encouragement Award in 1985, which shows how highly acclaimed it is. The character of Sara, who treats everyone kindly and never loses hope even in difficult situations, resonated with many viewers. In addition, characters such as Miss Minchin and Lavinia are also rich in personality, adding depth to the story.

The music also adds to the appeal of the work, with the opening theme "Whisper of Flowers" and the ending theme "Himawari" touching the hearts of viewers with the beautiful singing voice of Satoko Shimonari. The animation quality is also high, with the character designs, background art, and other details carefully drawn.

"A Little Princess Sara" is a touching story about a young girl's growth and overcoming adversity, and is a work that deeply moves and sympathizes with viewers. As Sara's kindness and strength, as well as the bonds with the people around her, are depicted, viewers are moved by her growth and overcoming adversity. In addition, with the backdrop of Victorian England, it depicts the light and dark of the British Empire, such as boarding schools, India as a colony, pollution and poverty, and the historical background is also interesting.

This work won the Child Welfare Culture Encouragement Award in 1985, which shows how highly acclaimed it is. The character of Sara, who treats everyone kindly and never loses hope even in difficult situations, resonated with many viewers. In addition, characters such as Miss Minchin and Lavinia are also rich in personality, adding depth to the story.

The music also adds to the appeal of the work, with the opening theme "Whisper of Flowers" and the ending theme "Himawari" touching the hearts of viewers with the beautiful singing voice of Satoko Shimonari. The animation quality is also high, with the character designs, background art, and other details carefully drawn.