Little Women - The 1981 animated series

January 13 2020

Little Women (original Japanese title 若草物語』より若草の四姉妹 Wakakusa monogatari yori - Wakakusa no yon shimai, or" From 'Story of Youth' - The Four Young Sisters ") also known as Little Women's Four Sisters, is a 1981 Japanese animated television adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's 1868-69 two-volume novel Little Women. The series is directed by Kazuya Miyazaki and produced by Toei Animation for the company Kokusai Eiga-sha (Movie International).

The series was produced as a follow-up to a television special based on Alcott's novel from the previous year by the same animation studio. The character designs of the TV series differ slightly from those of the TV special; Jo, for example, despite being blonde in both versions, in the TV series has curly rather than straight hair.

This series is sometimes confused with Nippon Animation's 1987 World Masterpiece Theater TV series, One for all, all for one (Tales of Little Women), as both series aired in the 80s. Additionally, both TV series share a voice actress: Keiko Han, who plays Beth in this TV series, and Meg in the 1987 series.

Characters

Josephine (Jo)

the protagonist and second child of the family. He has the character and attitudes of a true tomboy, at times brash and impertinent; dreams of one day becoming a famous writer. Voiced by Mami Koyama (original), Silvana Fantini (Italian).

Margaret (Meg)

the eldest of the sisters. She is a very beautiful girl and always invited to parties. She is the most responsible of the sisters and nurses Ms. King's children. She is in love with Mr. Brooke, Laurie's tutor, and at the end of the series the two get engaged. Voiced by Yuko Takaji (original), Cinzia Mantegazza (Italian).

Elizabeth (Beth)

the third sister. He has a shy and sensitive character; passionate about music, she likes to play the piano. She is a favorite of Laurie's grandfather, because she looks a lot like her granddaughter, who died when she was Beth's age. Beth will become seriously ill and be able to save herself, but after being healed she will be more fragile than before. Voiced by Keiko Han (original), Fabiola Gianotti (Italian).

Amanda (Amy)

the youngest of the sisters. She is very good at drawing, but she is very vain and always wants to show off her skills. When Beth falls ill, Amy will go to live with Aunt March and during this time she will realize that she was wrong and will try to improve her behavior. Voiced by Chiyoko Kawashima (original), Elisabetta Odino (Italian).

Laurie

a handsome young neighbor of the four sisters. He is very nice, but also quite shy and is the same age as Jo. He lives with his grandfather, who wants him to go to university and for this reason he is often seen studying assiduously. His tutor is John Brooke. Voiced by Tsubasa Shioya (Original), Giorgio Bonino (Italian).

Mrs. March

mother of the sisters. Voiced by Shoko Tsuboi (original), Rosetta Salata (Italian).

Mr. March

father of the sisters, is a northern officer in the American Civil War. Voiced by Marcello Cortese (Italian).

Aunt March

she is the aunt of the four sisters. She lives in a large villa and Jo goes to her every day to be her companion. Despite Jo's tomboy character, which Aunt March doesn't approve of, she still remains his favorite niece, even if she doesn't show it.

Technical data

Anime TV series
Author Louisa May Alcott (novel "Little Women)
Regia Kazuya Miyazaki
Film script Eiichi Imado
Music Takeo Watanabe
Studio Toei Animation, Kokusai Eigasha
Network Tokyo 12
1st TV April 7 - September 29, 1981
Episodes 26 (complete)
Episode duration 24 min
Italian network Channel 5
1st Italian TV 1982
Double studio it. ADC cooperative