If you’ve ever fallen in love with Anne Shirley—and let’s be honest, most of us have at some point—then you might already know this red-headed firecracker of imagination has been brought to life again in a new anime adaptation. Simply titled Anne Shirley, this 2025 version is produced by The Answer Studio, directed by Hiroshi Kawamata, and currently airing on NHK Educational TV. It’s based on Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery—a literary classic that never seems to lose its charm.
Now, you might be thinking: Wait, wasn’t there already an Anne anime? Yup, and you’re absolutely right. Not only one, but two! First, the 1979 version by Nippon Animation, part of their World Masterpiece Theater series, and later a prequel in 2009 called Konnichiwa Anne: Before Green Gables. So why retell it again? Isn’t it risky to reboot something that already has a well-loved adaptation?
But here’s the thing—the 2025 version just works.
A Modern Spin on a Timeless Tale
Matthew and Anne on their way to Green Gables.
Let’s start with the obvious: this adaptation is gorgeous. We’re talking modern animation techniques, vibrant colors, careful lighting, and movement that makes the serene fields of Prince Edward Island look like a dreamscape. If you’re a sucker for scenery porn—flowers, sprawling fields, blooming trees, cozy cottages—then you’re in for a treat. Every frame is dripping in visual warmth, and it feels like a loving postcard from 19th-century Canada.
And it’s not just pretty to look at. The new anime puts its focus squarely on Anne’s perspective, and that’s what makes it so refreshing. Even from the first episode, you’re immersed in her overactive imagination and endless chatter. It’s almost dizzying how much this little girl talks, but you start to see how much that colorful mind of hers brings light to the people around her — even the initially cold and skeptical Marilla and shy Matthew.
Who Is Anne with an E?
Anne never forgets to remind us that her name is spelled with an ‘E’.
If you’ve never read the books or seen any of the other adaptations, here’s the basic setup: Anne Shirley is an 11-year-old orphan who has never known a real family. She’s been bounced around from home to home and spent a good portion of her childhood in an orphanage. When a childless sibling duo, Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, decide to adopt a boy to help out on their farm, Green Gables, they are accidentally sent a girl instead.
That girl is Anne.
A scrawny, red-haired girl with a big vocabulary, even bigger imagination, and a flair for the dramatic. Within minutes of meeting Matthew at the train station (a scene cleverly shown through a fish-eye lens to emphasize Matthew’s anxiety and how overwhelmed he is), she’s spinning stories, reciting poetry, and begging to be called Cordelia instead.
Naturally, Marilla isn’t thrilled. But slowly, and with a lot of missteps (including one particularly memorable episode involving a missing amethyst brooch), Anne begins to carve out her place in the community of Avonlea.
Small Moments, Big Heart
Anne with her best friend, Diana Barry.
Unlike many modern anime that rely on spectacle, high stakes, or complicated plots, Anne Shirley is all about the small, meaningful moments. The conflicts are personal, often humorous or heartbreaking, and always deeply human. In one early episode, Anne accidentally gets her new best friend Diana very drunk by serving currant wine instead of raspberry cordial. Another episode shows Anne apologizing to the stern Rachel Lynde with an over-the-top, borderline backhanded apology that somehow still manages to work.
These moments feel light, but they add up to something more—a genuine coming-of-age journey, a story of Anne growing up bit by bit with the help of those around her.
The Anne-Gilbert Situation
Anne with her rival / future love interest, Gilbert Blythe.
Now let’s talk about Gilbert Blythe. Yes, that Gilbert — the boy who teases Anne by calling her “Carrots,” causing her to smash a slate over his head. This anime does the iconic moment justice with a triple repeat cut, showing Anne’s dramatic reaction from different angles. Classic.
Anne Hitting Gilbert with a Slate Synchronized
But eagle-eyed fans noticed something odd: Gilbert’s hair color is now surprisingly close to Anne’s. And, well… isn’t that a bit ironic? If he’s gonna tease her for being a redhead, shouldn't he at least have a contrasting look? Is Gilbert a hypocrite? Or is this just an attempt to make him more visually cohesive with the palette of the anime? Either way, it’s a curious choice, and one that might take some getting used to.
A Compressed But Loving Adaptation
A glimpse of adult Anne, as seen in the opening.
The original Anne of Green Gables novel has 38 chapters, and the anime is planning to fit all that into just 24 episodes. So yeah, it’s technically a compressed adaptation, but honestly, the pacing doesn’t feel rushed at all. Each episode takes its time diving into Anne’s thoughts and showing how she affects the people around her. Nothing feels crammed in or forced — if anything, this version is letting the emotional moments breathe instead of just trying to tick off every plot point.
Anne of Green Gables (1979) vs. Anne Shirley (2025)
There are also some really nice touches for fans of the older versions, especially the 1979 anime. Anne’s outfit when she first shows up — the purple dress, white apron, and straw hat — looks almost exactly like her look back then. Diana and Anne’s character designs also have a throwback vibe, with Diana getting a cute little hairstyle update. Even Matthew and Marilla look a lot like their old-school versions, which just feels like a sweet little nod to longtime fans.
But at the end of the day, it’s all about Anne. She’s impulsive, emotional, and yeah, she can be a little annoying or over-the-top. But she’s also wildly imaginative, super loyal, and sees the beauty in everything around her. As a viewer, you’re not just watching her grow — you kind of grow right along with her.
So, Should You Watch It?
If you’ve been craving something wholesome, heartfelt, and visually stunning, Anne Shirley might just be the anime you didn’t know you needed this season. It’s a breath of fresh air among louder, flashier titles, and it reminds us that sometimes the quietest stories leave the biggest impact.
There’s no shounen action, no high-stakes battles, no dramatic fantasy twists. What it does have is a ton of heart, breathtaking scenery, quirky lovable characters, and a story that’s stood the test of time for over a century.
Honestly, it feels like a warm cup of tea after a long day.
Here’s hoping they adapt the full journey — from that lonely little girl arriving at Green Gables to the strong, compassionate woman she grows into. Because if the first few episodes are anything to go by, this new Anne Shirley anime is shaping up to be something truly special.
And of course, if you want to try watching the old adaptations of Anne of Green Gables, you can check it out here on ZenPlus, shipped to you straight from Japan!
Anne Shirley Anime - Official Teaser
アニメ『アン・シャーリー』ノンクレジットオープニング映像 | とた「予感」
What do you think?
How did Anne end up living Matthew and Marilla?
Will Anne end up with Gilbert?
Why does Anne dislike her red hair so much?
Let us know in the comments or drop us a line on social media: X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook! We’d love to hear from you!
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You can watch Anne Shirley on Ani-One, Crunchyroll, Prime Video and Netflix.
About the Writer
Cristy is a freelance artist and writer who has been obsessed with anime and manga since childhood. Her love for these imaginative worlds fuels her creative endeavors, and she shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
