Template:Short description Template:Expand JapaneseTemplate:Infobox animanga/Header Template:Infobox animanga/Print Template:Infobox animanga/Video Template:Infobox animanga/Footer
Template:Nihongo is a shōjo manga series by Tetsuya Chiba. It was serialized in Shōjo Friend, published by Kodansha, from April to September 1968. It was adapted into a monochrome 1968 Toei anime series with the same name directed by Fusahito Nagaki, Yasuo Yamaguchi, Yugo Serikawa and Takeshi Tamiya, which was originally broadcast on Fuji TV.[1]
According to Jonathan Clements and Helen McCarthy's The Anime Encyclopedia, it was "deliberately designed to evoke a distant, carefree time of rural childhood for city kids deprived of the opportunity, placing it in the same spirit as My Neighbor Totoro."[1] It has been debated that the anime is a more simplified version of the more in-depth themes of the manga.
Plot
A cute young girl, Akane formerly lived in the countryside with her grandfather, but decides to return home to Tokyo and go to a prestigious school. However, coming from the country has its downfalls and Akane soon realizes that she doesn't fit in with the snobby rich kids at school. Nonetheless, she finds a friend in a delinquent kid named Hidemaro. He is consistently the victim of bullying and Akane begins to stand up for him. At school, the pair find a dog which they ironically name Chibi[2] despite its great stature. Akane, Hidemaro, and Chibi begin their zany, comedic misadventures.
Opening Theme:
"Akane-chan Song" by Minori Matsushima
Ending Theme:
"Hidebaro Song" by Kazue Takahashi
Characters
- Akane Kamijo (Voiced by: Minori Matsushima)
- Hidemaro Kitajoji (Voiced by: Kazue Takahashi)
- Sakura Kamijo (Voiced by: Kazuko Sugiyama)
- Mrs. Kamijo (Voiced by: Haruko Yajima)
- Mr. Kamijo (Voiced by: Toshiya Ogata)