The Story of Pollyanna, Girl of Love (愛少女ポリアンナ物語, Ai Shōjo Porianna Monogatari) 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. 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.
Contents
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
Pollyanna Whittier (ポリアンナ・フィティア, Porian'na Fitia)
Voiced by: Mitsuko Horie
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)".
John Whittier (ジョン・フィティア, Jon Fitia)
Voiced by: Hideyuki Tanaka
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.
Jennie Harrington Whittier (ジェニー・ハリントン ・フィティア, Jenī Harinton Fitia)
Voiced by: Naoko Watanabe (default voice)
Pollyanna's mother, Pastor John Whittier's wife and Polly Harrington's older sister.
Polly Harrington Chilton (パレー・ハリントン ・チルトン, Parē Harinton Chiruton)
Voiced by: Masako Nozawa (default voice), Sanae Miyuki
Pollyanna's aunt and Jennie's younger sister, she is cold and drove Pollyanna into the attic.
Dr. Thomas Chilton (トーマス・チルトン博士, Tōmasu Chiruton Hakase)
Voiced by: Hideyuki Tanaka
Harrington family's allies
Nancy Hartley (ナンシー・ハートリー, Nanshī Hātorī)
Voiced by: Keiko Han
A maid of Harrington family.
Tom Peyson (トム・ペイスン, Tomu Peisun)
Voiced by: Ken'ichi Ogata
Timothy Peyson (ティモシー・ペイスン, Timoshī Peisun)
Voiced by: Hideyuki Hori
Durgin Peyson (ダージン・ペイスン, Dājin Peisun)
Voiced by: Takako Kondō
The Pendletons
John Pendleton (ジョン・ペンデルトン, Jon Penderuton)
Voiced by: Banjō Ginga
Jimmy Bean Pendleton / Jamie Kent (ジミー・ビーン・ペンデルトン /ジェイミー・ケント, Jimī Bīn Penderuton / Jeimī Kento)
Voiced by: Eiko Yamada
A Pollyanna's friend and an orphan boy. After a while, it was taken over by John Pendleton.
Small Midwestern town
Hephzibah White (ヘプジバ・ホワイト, Hepujiba Howaito)
Voiced by: Nobuko Terashima
Karen (カレン, Karen)
Voiced by: Yūki Kudō
Jeremiah White (ジェレミア・ホワイト, Jeremia Howaito)
Voiced by: Osamu Saka
Mrs. Lewis (ルイスさん, Ruisu-san)
Voiced by: Hiroko Takahashi
Beldingsville, Vermont
Mildred "Milly" Snow (ミリー・スノー, Mirī Sunō)
Voiced by: Mayumi Shō
Mrs. Snow (スノーさん, Sunō-san)
Voiced by: Taeko Nakanishi
Harold (ハロルド, Harorudo)
Voiced by: Akio Nojima
Dr. Warren (ウォーレン博士, Wōren Hakase)
Voiced by: Mahito Tsujimura
Dr. Mead (ミード博士, Mīdo Hakase)
Voiced by: Kouji Totani
Mr. Willis (ウィリスさん, Wirisu-san)
Voiced by: Tomomichi Nishimura
Boston, Massachusetts
Dr. Charlie Ames (チャーリー・エームズ博士, Chārī Ēmuzu Hakase)
Voiced by: Yasuo Muramatsu
Jamie "Young Lord James" Murphy (ジェイミー・マーフィー, Jeimī Māfī)
Voiced by: Naoko Watanabe
Mickey Murphy (ミッキー・マーフィー, Mikkī Māfī)
Voiced by: Kyouko Tonguu
Sadie Dean (サディ・ディーン, Sadi Dīn)
Voiced by: Rei Sakuma
Beth (ベス, Besu)
Voiced by: Sanae Takagi
Betty Murphy (ベティ・マーフィー, Beti Māfī)
Voiced by: Tomie Kataoka
Wetherby Carew and Kent families
Della Wetherby (デラ・ウェザビー, Dera Wezabī)
Voiced by: Rihoko Yoshida
Ruth Wetherby Carew (ルース・ウェザビー・カリウ, Rūsu Wezabī Kariu)
Voiced by: Masako Ikeda
Doris Wetherby Kent (ドリス・ウェザビー・ケント, Dorisu Wezabī Kento)
Voiced by: Arima Mizuka
Edward Kent (エドワード・ケント, Edowādo Kento)
Voiced by: Masaharu Satō
Wetherby family's allies
Mary (メアリー, Mearī)
Voiced by: Shinobu Adachi
Susy (スージー, Sūjī)
Voiced by: Yumi Takada
Bridget (ブリジット, Burijitto)
Voiced by: Natsumi Sakuma
Perkins (パーキンス, Pākinsu)
Voiced by: Keaton Yamada
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
Theme songs
Opening theme
Happy Carnival (しあわせカーニバル, Shiawase Kānibaru) (eps 01–27)
Singer: Yūki Kudō
Lyricist: Yūho Iwasato
Composer: Hiroaki Serizawa
Arranger: Kazuya Izumi
I Want to See Smiling You (微笑むあなたに会いたい, Hohoemu Anata ni Aitai) (eps 28–51)
Singer: Yūki Kudō
Lyricist: Jun Asami
Composer: Kisaburō Suzuki
Arranger: Tatsumi Yano
Ending theme
I Want to Become Love (愛になりたい, Ai ni Naritai) (eps 01–27)
Singer: Yūki Kudō
Lyricist: Yūho Iwasato
Composer: Hiroaki Serizawa
Arranger: Kazuya Izumi
Happiness (幸福, Shiawase) (eps 28–51)
Singer: Yūki Kudō
Lyricist: Noriko Miura
Composer: Yasuo Kosugi
Arranger: Tatsumi Yano
Insertion song
Chandelier of Stardust (星屑のシャンデリア, Hoshikuzu no Shanderia) (ep 27)