tengu13

This is a part of Nippon Animation's World Masterpiece Theatre, and I believe it to a masterpiece indeed. The story chronicles the life of an orphan girl named Jerusha 'Judy' Abbot through her teen-aged years up to her young adulthood. The many characters in this series truly have depth and are far from being one-dimensional - It is amazing that the writers can introduce such characters and without giving them hours upon hours of screen time are able to define their persona. The feelings and opinions of Judy that is conveyed through her actions, interactionswith other characters, narrations, and letters (she writes them a lot - like a journal) are very sincere but most of all original and this makes a very interesting main character and a very interesting series. The animation itself is very good, showing a very early late eighties to early nineties style with beautiful frame-by-frame hand-drawn characters and watercolour backgrounds - none of that cheap cg you get nowadays. This anime is not a kiddy anime, it is suitable for all ages and not only children but adults will enjoy it as well, and are sure to appreciate the more complex storyline. This anime also slips in some nice americana and historical references in once in a while that is absent from the book (e.g. the first solo transatlantic flight by Charles Lindbergh on the Spirit of St. Louis in 1927). This is truly a classic anime that is not to be missed, especially if you are as big an anime fan as I am! Once you have seen the first episode, you are sure to continue on and follow Judy throughout her adventures from a child yearning to break free from the shackles of an orphanage and attend school; to her coming of age years when she discovers love and has her first crush; and in high-school where she develops ambitions of becoming a writer and a fully independent woman!

cheesiediva

This series can be summed up as endearing and absolutely charming. While the plot differs some from the classic book ("Daddy Long Legs" by Jean Webster) on which it was based, "My Daddy Long Legs" is still a tender coming-of-age tale centered around the plucky orphan Judy Abbott, who is sent to a prestigious all-girls high school by a mysterious benefactor she dubs 'Daddy Long Legs'. The story is set in early 20th century America--and I have to say I was impressed by how accurately this anime depicted the fashions, architecture, technology and experiences of this setting and time period. If you like historical fiction, thisis a great show to pick. This series is full of fun and (in the second half) romance. Judy and her friends Sallie and Julia get into many scrapes during their three years of high school, but if you don't mind watching some awkward experiences natural to the growing-up process, you'll enjoy all the episodes, not just the romantic ones near the end. All-in-all, this is a fantastic, accurate depiction of the educated female experience in 1910s-1920s America. I plan on watching it again and again.