When it comes to Canadian literature, it is tough to find one that speaks to Canadians more than L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables book series. Set on Prince Edward Island, it tells the story of Anne Shirley, a red haired orphan with a strong imagination and who enriches the lives of the people around her. While there have been several adaptations of the story before, even an anime version in 1979, this new version stands out for speeding the story up by  condensing the first three novels into 24 episodes. Those books, by the way, are Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, and Anne of the Island. While only 12 episodes have been released so far on Crunchyroll, Canada Day is coming up quickly, meaning it’s the perfect series to binge watch them and catch up.

The first thing many fans of the original novels will ask is if Anne Shirley is faithful to the source material. For the most part it is, especially Anne’s personality. Her imagination, sense of drama, and desire for belonging are at the heart of both the book and the series. While there is plenty of expressive animation, as can be expected with anime, it doesn’t detract from the story. Some fans however will have an issue with how it shortens or removes some of the novel’s plot lines, and how some characters play a much small role in Anne’s life.  This would always be the case however, no matter the medium that is used to tell the story, due to the size of the novels. All the key moments and beats are present however.

The animation for Anne Shirley honours the tone and charm of Avonlea and its characters from the novels. It’s warm with soft lighting, and is full of pastoral landscapes that perfectly capture the spirit of the late 19th-century Prince Edward Island. It has a very nostalgic feel to it as well, while offering viewers a rich sensory experience that complements Montgomery’s poetic style. The best thing is, the animation doesn’t try to modernize Avonlea, and keeps things in the proper historical settings.

At its core, Anne of Green Gables is a coming-of-age story that explores imagination, belonging, resilience, and the importance of community. These themes are preserved in Anne Shirley, though the anime places greater emphasis on Anne’s self-actualization and intellectual growth. The Canadian values in the novel, including humility, kindness, respect for nature, and quiet moral strength, can be found in the anime as well.  Family, and family values are also very much present, as is Anne’s journey to discover love.

Anne Shirley is a respectful and emotionally rich adaptation of Anne of Green Gables, preserving the novel’s charm while presenting it through new animation. Though the pace is faster and it condenses some story lines, the heart of Anne’s journey remains intact. It’s the prefect anime to enjoy with your children, so that while you relive your childhood adventures with Anne, they can start their journey with her.  Her story continues to resonate deeply, proving that her red-headed spirit still has a place in the hearts of viewers, no matter their age.