is a Japanese anime series by Nippon Animation, and part of the World Masterpiece Theater series. It consists of 51 episodes. Premiering across Fuji TV from 5 January to 28 December 1986, it has rerun across Japan on Animax from February 2007.Animax.co.jp , Pollyanna airing schedule, retrieved on 2007-09-25 It was dubbed in other languages for some regions of the world outside Japan including Portugal, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Ukraine, Thailand, the Arab World, and the Philippines.
It was based on the 1913 novel Pollyanna and its 1915 sequel Pollyanna Grows Up by Eleanor H. Porter.
Synopsis Set in the United States between 1920 and 1921, primarily in the fictional town of Beldingsville and the city of Boston, the series follows Pollyanna Whittier, an optimistic orphan whose unwavering belief in "finding the good" transforms the lives of those around her.
After the death of her father, the Reverend John Whittier, Pollyanna is sent to live with her strict and emotionally distant aunt, Polly Harrington, in Beldingsville. Despite her aunt's cold demeanor, Pollyanna gradually wins the affection of the townspeople through her cheerful outlook and the "finding the good" game, a philosophy taught to her by her father that encourages finding something positive in every situation. Among those whose lives she influences are the reclusive millionaire John Pendleton, the homeless boy Jimmy Bean, and the chronically ill Mrs. Snow.
Pollyanna's happiness is shattered when she is struck by an automobile, leaving her unable to walk. Initially unable to apply her own philosophy to her circumstances, she eventually regains hope after learning that a risky operation in Boston may restore her ability to walk. Accompanied by Aunt Polly, she undergoes the dangerous surgery and begins a lengthy rehabilitation. During her stay in Boston, Pollyanna also helps reconcile Aunt Polly with Dr. Thomas Chilton, her former fiancé.
While recovering, Pollyanna moves into the home of the wealthy Carew family. There she learns of Mr. Carew's long search for his missing nephew, Jamie Kent, and becomes determined to help reunite them. During her search, she befriends children from different walks of life, including the newspaper boy Mickey, and comes to believe that a wheelchair-bound boy she meets may be the missing Jamie.
After completing her rehabilitation, Pollyanna returns to Beldingsville. Soon afterward, tragedy strikes when Dr. Chilton dies in an accident, leaving Aunt Polly devastated. As Pollyanna attempts to restore her aunt's happiness, new revelations emerge concerning Jimmy Bean's past and his true identity, bringing resolution to long-standing family mysteries.
Throughout the series, Pollyanna's philosophy of "finding the good" serves as its central theme. Although she briefly loses faith in it following her accident, she ultimately rediscovers its value, inspiring those around her to face hardship with hope and optimism. The philosophy also finds a parallel in Jamie's "Book of Joy", a notebook in which he records the positive moments of each day, reinforcing the series' message of resilience and gratitude.
Characters Narrator: Taeko Nakanishi
Whittier Harrington and Chilton families
The main character, she is the 8 year old daughter of Pastor John and Jennie Whittier, and niece of Polly Harrington. She lost her mother when she was 4 years old, and lost her father and became an orphan when she was 8 years old. Her principle is "seeking a good", and she often says that "I'm fond of (something)".
Pollyanna's father and a pastor who taught his daughter Pollyanna to "seeking a good". When Polyanna was eight years old, he died of illness at the age of 38.
Pollyanna's mother, Pastor John Whittier's wife and Polly Harrington's older sister.
Pollyanna's aunt and Jennie's younger sister, she is cold and drove Pollyanna into the attic.
Harrington family's allies
A maid of Harrington family.
The Pendletons
A Pollyanna's friend and an orphan boy. After a while, it was taken over by John Pendleton.
Small Midwestern town
Beldingsville, Vermont
Boston, Massachusetts
Wetherby Carew and Kent families
Wetherby family's allies
Staff Director: Kōzō Kusuba Character design: Yoshiharu Satō Music: Reijirō Koroku Sound director: Etsuji Yamada Art director: Ken Kawai Planning: Shōji Satō (Nippon Animation), Eiichi Kubota (Fuji TV) Producer: Junzō Nakajima (Nippon Animation), Taihei Ishikawa (Fuji TV) Production manager: Mitsuru Takakuwa
Episodes
Theme songs Opening theme (eps 01–27) Singer: Yūki Kudō Lyricist: Yūho Iwasato Composer: Hiroaki Serizawa Arranger: Kazuya Izumi (eps 28–51) Singer: Yūki Kudō Lyricist: Jun Asami Composer: Kisaburō Suzuki Arranger: Tatsumi Yano
Ending theme (eps 01–27) Singer: Yūki Kudō Lyricist: Yūho Iwasato Composer: Hiroaki Serizawa Arranger: Kazuya Izumi (eps 28–51) Singer: Yūki Kudō Lyricist: Noriko Miura Composer: Yasuo Kosugi Arranger: Tatsumi Yano
Insertion song (ep 27) Singer: Mitsuko Horie Lyricist, composer and arranger: Akiko Kosaka (ep 51) Singer: Mitsuko Horie Lyricist, composer and arranger: Akiko Kosaka
Notes Yūki Kudō has appeared in both the main story and theme songs, and played Karen in the main story.
See also Pollyanna principle My Daddy Long Legs Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair (TV series)
References
External links Ai Shōjo Pollyanna Monogatari on Animax's official site