| Akane-chan | |
| Ja Kanji: | あかねちゃん |
| Type: | manga |
| Author: | Tetsuya Chiba |
| Publisher: | Kodansha |
| Demographic: | Shōjo |
| Magazine: | Shōjo Friend |
| First: | April 1968 |
| Last: | September 1968 |
| Volumes: | 4 |
| Type: | tv series |
| Director: | Bonjin Nagaki Yasuo Yamaguchi (episode directors) |
| Music: | Keiichi Awano |
| Studio: | Toei Animation |
| Network: | Fuji TV |
| First: | April 4, 1968 |
| Last: | September 29, 1968 |
| Episodes: | 26 |
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."[2] It has been debated that the anime is a more simplified version of the more in-depth themes of the manga.
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[3] 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