Konnichiwa Anne: Before Green Gables (aka Hello Anne: Before Green Gables) is an anime series produced by Nippon Animation as the 26th title in the celebrated World Masterpiece Theatre series. It is the prequel to the beloved anime series Anne of Green Gables (aka Akage No An), which was one of the first classic novels adapted for the World Masterpiece Theater series in 1979. Notably, the prequel anime marks the 30th anniversary of this original anime adaptation.
The storyline of Konnichiwa Anne: Before Green Gables is based on Budge Wilson's book Before Green Gables, which was published in 2008 as a prequel to L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables. Wilson's prequel was written to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the publication of Anne of Green Gables. The prequel was translated into Japanese and titled Konnichiwa Anne (Hello Anne) by Akiko Usagawa.
Rina Hidaka portrayed Anne Shirley's voice in Konnichiwa Anne: Before Green Gables. Takayo Nishimura served as the chief animation director for the production. As a special touch, the series was narrated by Eiko Hisamura (née Yamada), who portrayed Anne Shirley in the original Akage no An back in 1979.
The series was directed by Katsuyoshi Yatabe, produced by Kōichi Motohashi, and written by Michiru Shimada. Konnichiwa Anne: Before Green Gables features delightful music by Yasuharu Takanashi, Hiromi Mizutani, and Kenji Fujisawa. The opening and closing theme songs, "The Seed of Light" and "Alright March," were sung by Azumi Inoue, who is best known for singing the theme songs of My Neighbor Totoro.
Konnichiwa Anne: Before Green Gables tells the story of Anne Shirley's early life as an orphan before she was adopted by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. It begins when Anne Shirley is six years old and living with foster families in Nova Scotia, Canada.
The series is 39 episodes long, and each episode is approximately 20 minutes in length. The series premiered on BS Fuji on April 5, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. and aired each Sunday evening through December 27, 2009.
Image credit:
Drawing of Anne Shirley from Konnichiwa Anne: Before Green Gables (2009) © Nippon Animation
Official Website:
Konnichiwa Anne: Before Green Gables at Nippon Animation
References:
Before Green Gables (TV). Anime News Network. Retrieved from: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10550
Loo, Egan. (July 7, 2008). Before Green Gables Prequel Animation to Anne Novels Green-Lit. Anime News Network. Retrieved from: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-07-07/before-green-gables-prequel-animation-to-anne-novels-green-lit
An Attempt to Hype Konnichiwa Anne: The Upcoming 26th World Masterpiece Theatre Series. (December 3, 2008). Star-Crossed Anime Blog. Retrieved from: http://psgels.blogsome.com/2008/12/03/an-attempt-to-hype-konnichiwa-anne-the-upcoming-26th-world-masterpiece-theatre-series/ (archived).
Created December 4, 2008. Last updated December 16, 2024.
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