I grew up a lover of everything Anne of Green Gables. From the Original books by L. M. Montgomery to the award-winning miniseries from Kevin Sullivan, Anne’s world on Prince Edward Island was one I would most often escape to as a child.

Its newest adaptation, the anime 『アン・シャーリー』(Anne Shirley) brings a gentle visual warmth and whimsical flair to the beloved classic. Through soft watercolor palettes and a nostalgic score, this version captures Anne’s imagination and inner world in ways that feel both poetic and deeply immersive.

Anne’s spirit shines brightest in the original Japanese, where her dreamy soliloquies and emotional highs are voiced with delicate care. The voice actress gives Anne’s flights of fancy a sincerity that resonates beautifully with the show’s painterly aesthetic.

However, the English dub stumbles—particularly in its portrayal of Canadian accents. It leans into caricature with exaggerated “oot” and “aboot” pronunciations that feel more like a parody than an homage. Rather than honoring the Canadian setting, it plays into stereotypes, pulling the viewer out of the otherwise earnest tone the series works hard to establish. It’s frustrating, especially given the rich tradition of Anne in Canadian culture. The dub feels like it’s trying too hard to remind us it’s set in Prince Edward Island, when the setting already speaks for itself through visuals and story.

That said, this adaptation excels in pacing and emotional nuance. Marilla and Matthew’s dynamic with Anne is handled with the tenderness fans expect, and even longtime Anne fans may find themselves surprised by how certain scenes hit anew with the animation’s soft glows and autumnal tones.

If you’re watching for the first time, choose the original Japanese audio with subtitles. It preserves Anne’s emotional cadence and lets the story breathe without the artificial filter of forced accents.

The series can be watched in North America on Crunchyroll.

Verdict:

★★★☆☆

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