The Anne anime
The "Anne of Green Gables" anime arrived five days ago, and from the first 25 episodes that I have watched since, I think it is truly, perfectly wonderful.
I like LMM's AoGG book, but it is not my favorite. I also like Sullivan's first Anne movie, especially its theme music, but I don't like the Diana in it, and after seeing this anime, the movie seems so time-constrained. Movies have their advantages, and masterpieces of adaptations exist (such as "Gone with the Wind"), but many things just have to be left out, and it is quite difficult to avoid a certain "hurried" feel, while all these are not problems for this 19-hour-long anime series. The anime show also captures Anne's imaginations well, which are virtually impossible to portray in live action, unless the audience are as imaginative as Anne herself (which I am not--I find Marilla much more of a kindred spirit than Anne). True, the pace is quite slow compared to Flower Angel, but I rarely feel that unless I have been watching too many episodes in succession.
The thing I like most about the anime series, so far, is that it is very considerate on the audience. Awkward, uncomfortable or mean parts are not given too much time, and sometimes they are just left to the imagination (such as Mrs. Barry being angry with Anne for intoxicating Diana and her subsequent apology), while happy moments are given more attention. In particular, I love the way Anne and Diana's friendship is portrayed. Isn't this friendship one of the most important things in the book, and aren't true kindred spirits and bosom friends something more special than ordinary school chums? The Sullivan movie's portrayal seems a bit bland and ordinary in comparison.
One reviewer seems to dislike the numerous flashbacks in the series. Well, if he is referring to episode 25, which is about 70% flashbacks, then I guess I don't mind them a bit. I love to watch touching scenes over and over again, so flashbacks of lovely scenes (but not scary ones!) don't seem repetitive at all. Besides, many earlier events now seem more complete when we know Anne's inner feelings about them.
I just wish I could understand the lyrics for many of the songs. Except for the opening and closing themes, none of the songs are dubbed or subbed in my Chinese version, and I don't understand Japanese at all. By the way, it is a bit funny to hear the Canadian girls sing presumably old English songs in Japanese.
P.S. Does anyone agree with me that the Anne in the anime occasionally looks like the Mickey Mouse in Disney's "Fantasia"? ;)
I like LMM's AoGG book, but it is not my favorite. I also like Sullivan's first Anne movie, especially its theme music, but I don't like the Diana in it, and after seeing this anime, the movie seems so time-constrained. Movies have their advantages, and masterpieces of adaptations exist (such as "Gone with the Wind"), but many things just have to be left out, and it is quite difficult to avoid a certain "hurried" feel, while all these are not problems for this 19-hour-long anime series. The anime show also captures Anne's imaginations well, which are virtually impossible to portray in live action, unless the audience are as imaginative as Anne herself (which I am not--I find Marilla much more of a kindred spirit than Anne). True, the pace is quite slow compared to Flower Angel, but I rarely feel that unless I have been watching too many episodes in succession.
The thing I like most about the anime series, so far, is that it is very considerate on the audience. Awkward, uncomfortable or mean parts are not given too much time, and sometimes they are just left to the imagination (such as Mrs. Barry being angry with Anne for intoxicating Diana and her subsequent apology), while happy moments are given more attention. In particular, I love the way Anne and Diana's friendship is portrayed. Isn't this friendship one of the most important things in the book, and aren't true kindred spirits and bosom friends something more special than ordinary school chums? The Sullivan movie's portrayal seems a bit bland and ordinary in comparison.
One reviewer seems to dislike the numerous flashbacks in the series. Well, if he is referring to episode 25, which is about 70% flashbacks, then I guess I don't mind them a bit. I love to watch touching scenes over and over again, so flashbacks of lovely scenes (but not scary ones!) don't seem repetitive at all. Besides, many earlier events now seem more complete when we know Anne's inner feelings about them.
I just wish I could understand the lyrics for many of the songs. Except for the opening and closing themes, none of the songs are dubbed or subbed in my Chinese version, and I don't understand Japanese at all. By the way, it is a bit funny to hear the Canadian girls sing presumably old English songs in Japanese.
P.S. Does anyone agree with me that the Anne in the anime occasionally looks like the Mickey Mouse in Disney's "Fantasia"? ;)