also titled as Romeo's Blue Skies is a 1995 Japanese anime series produced by Nippon Animation. Based on the novel Die schwarzen Brüder ("The Black Brothers") by Lisa Tetzner, the series aired from January to December 1995 on Fuji Television and its affiliates as the 21st entry in the World Masterpiece Theater series.
Plot In 1875, a young boy named Romeo lives in the Swiss village of Sonogno. His family, already struggling with debt, faces further hardship when a drought devastates their crops. A sinister man known as Luini, "The God of Death", arrives in the village, seeking to buy children for labor. After Luini sets fire to the family's last cornfield, leaving Romeo's father blind, Romeo sells himself into servitude as a chimney sweeper for 25 francs to cover medical costs.
On his journey to Milan, Romeo befriends Alfredo, a kind but secretive boy, and other children in similar circumstances. They are locked in a basement and later forced to cross a stormy lake, during which many are presumed dead. Romeo and Alfredo survive, and despite Luini's cruelty, Romeo saves him from drowning. Upon arrival in Milan, the boys are separated and sold to different masters. Romeo's new employer, Marcello Rossi, is kind but controlled by his harsh wife, Edda. Their sickly daughter, Angeletta, befriends Romeo, and he also gains an education from Professor Casella.
Romeo forms a resistance group called the Black Brothers to stand up against a street gang, the Wolf Pack, led by Giovanni. After a series of conflicts, the Black Brothers defeat the Wolf Pack, earning Giovanni's respect. Meanwhile, Angeletta is revealed to be the granddaughter of Lady Isabella Montgomery, a noblewoman who initially rejects her but later takes her to Paris for medical treatment.
Alfredo is revealed to be from the noble Martini family. Both he and his younger sister were framed for their parents' deaths by their Uncle Mauricio and Aunt Grazela, who now seek royal favor. When Romeo discovers Alfredo's sister, Bianca being held hostage by their Aunt and Uncle he and the Black Brothers help her escape captivity, reunite her with Alfredo and clear their names. However, Alfredo, suffering from tuberculosis, collapses. Before dying in Romeo's arms, he entrusts him with caring for Bianca and fulfilling his dreams.
Romeo struggles with grief but is helped by his friends to move forward. He organizes a funeral for Alfredo and becomes the new leader of the Black Brothers. Over time, he decides to pursue education and help others, while Bianca aspires to become a nurse. In 1876, after his six-month contract ends, Romeo returns to Sonogno, reuniting with his family.
Ten years later, in 1886, Romeo has fulfilled his dream of becoming a teacher. He marries Bianca, and they name their son Alfredo in honor of his best friend.
Characters Romeo (ロミオ) Voiced by Ai Orikasa (Japanese) / Louie Paraboles (Filipino) A young, optimistic boy who often courageously helps those around him without self-regard. Originally named "Giorgio" in the novel Die schwarzen Brüder, he grew up to a loving family in Sonogno, a small village in Switzerland which is located near the Italian border. His father Roberto is a farmer, while his mother Jessica is a housewife. His biological father was killed in the war when he was young, but it is not known. Romeo has twin brothers: Carlo and Pietro. He also has a grandmother named Maria and a pet ermine named Piccolo. When Romeo was still a child, he had the job of ringing the church bells every morning in his village. He also used to go fishing with his friends on sunny days. Romeo even helped his father on the jobs in their family's cornfield. A long-standing drought struck Sonogno Village and many families suffered because of this, including Romeo's family. During this time, Luini, "The God of Death", came to the village, searching for boys that he could buy and sell to become chimney sweeps in Milan. Romeo became Luini's interest. The 11-year old Romeo was forced to sell himself to the "God of Death" in order to get a doctor that could treat his father's illness. After Romeo signed a contract with Luini, a doctor from Locarno named Baregi was brought to Sonogno and treated Roberto. Romeo then sadly left his family and embarked on a long journey to Milan. It was during this journey that Romeo first met Alfredo, who saved him from an apple vendor who mistakenly accused him of stealing apples. Together they were sold in Milan by "The God of Death" to their respective bosses. Romeo was bought by Marchelo Rossi. Before Romeo and Alfredo separated, they swore eternal friendship and promised to each other that they would meet again. Romeo experienced many hardships and triumphs while working as a chimney sweep in Milan. He experienced mistreatment by the Rossi family and was bullied by the Wolf Pack gang. Later, Romeo and Alfredo were reunited with each other. During the reunion, Alfredo revealed to Romeo his intention to create a fraternity for chimney sweeps that can help each other in times of need. Together they joined forces with other chimney sweeps in Milan and the Black Brothers were formed. Romeo and the other members of the fraternity chose Alfredo as their first leader. The Black Brothers defeated the Wolf Pack during their fights at San Babila Church and Sempione Park. The greatest triumph of Romeo in Milan happened when he learned to read and write through Professor Casella. With the help of the kind-hearted professor, the then "no read, no write" boy was brought to the world of knowledge. Romeo became knowledgeable in writing and even became fond of reading books like his best friend Alfredo. When Alfredo died of tuberculosis during a cold winter in Milan, Romeo became deeply depressed, but after hearing encouraging words from the Black Brothers and Alfredo's sister Bianca, he managed to accept his beloved best friend's death. Romeo succeeded Alfredo as leader of the Black Brothers. The first thing that he did as leader of the Black Brothers was to start a fundraising for Alfredo's funeral. The fundraising became successful and Alfredo was given a decent funeral. Romeo later finished his working contract in Milan when spring came. He then happily returned to his family in Sonogno Village. Romeo was accompanied by his pet ermine Piccolo during his entire journey to Milan. He was also accompanied during his entire stay in the city mentioned and even when he returned home to Sonogno Village. Ten years after finishing his working contract in Milan, Romeo became a teacher. Romeo and Bianca (Alfredo's sister) were married and they named their first child after Alfredo. Count Alfredo Martini (アルフレド・マルティーニ) Voiced by Toshiko Fujita (Japanese) / Gloria de Guzman (Filipino) / Bouthaina Shaya (Arabic)