Romeo and the Black Brothers (1995)
A moving Japanese anime about friendship, sacrifice, and survival, following a brave boy sold into the harsh life of a chimney sweep in 19th-century Milan.
Romeo and the Black Brothers - Series Information
- Original Title: ロミオの青い空
- First Air Year: 1995
- Last Air Year: 1995
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Drama, Action, Adventure
- Content Rating (US): NR
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 23 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 33
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: January 15, 1995 (United States - NR), January 15, 1995 (Australia - G), January 15, 1995 (South Korea - ALL)
- Networks: Fuji TV
- Alternative Titles: 罗密欧的天空 (CN), Il cielo azzurro di Romeo (IT), Romeo no Aoi Sora (JP), 로미오의 푸른 하늘 (KR), عهد الأصدقاء (QA), Romeo and the Black Brothers (US)
- Production Companies: Nippon Animation
- Production Countries: Japan
Romeo and the Black Brothers - Plot
To get the money to pay for a doctor for his father, Romeo bravely sells himself as a chimney sweep. On the way to Milan he meets Alfredo, a mysterious boy on the run heading to the same fate. Upon being separated and sold to their new bosses, the two boys swear eternal friendship. Romeo has to learn the hardships of a chimney sweep's job.
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Romeo and the Black Brothers - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Ai Orikasa
- Toshiko Fujita
- Akemi Okamura
- Maria Kawamura
- Masahiro Anzai
- Tsutomu Kashiwakura
- Yasuko Hatori
- Aya Ishizu
- Tomoko Ishimura
- Masako Ikeda
Writers
- Michiru Shimada
Romeo and the Black Brothers - FAQs
Is Romeo and the Black Brothers based on a book?
Yes. The series is based on Und dennoch leben sie (also known as Die schwarzen Brüder), a 1941 Swiss children's novel by Lisa Tetzner and Kurt Held. The story draws on the real historical practice of poor Swiss children being sold as chimney sweeps in 19th-century Italy.
Where can you stream Romeo and the Black Brothers?
Romeo and the Black Brothers is available to stream for free on Plex and the Plex Channel in the United States. You can compare all available viewing options in your region by checking the JustWatch listing for the series.
What is Romeo and the Black Brothers about?
The series follows Romeo, a young Swiss boy who sacrifices his freedom to fund medical care for his ailing father by selling himself into service as a chimney sweep. Journeying to Milan, he befriends Alfredo and the two boys form a lifelong bond while enduring the brutal hardships of child labor.
How many episodes does Romeo and the Black Brothers have?
Romeo and the Black Brothers consists of 33 episodes across a single season. Each episode runs approximately 23 minutes. The series aired in its entirety in 1995 on Fuji TV in Japan and has since been broadcast and released in several other countries.
Who are the main voice actors in this series?
The principal voice cast includes Ai Orikasa as Romeo, Toshiko Fujita as Alfredo, Akemi Okamura as Bianca, Maria Kawamura as Angeletta, Masahiro Anzai as Marcello Rossi, and Masako Ikeda as the Narrator. The full cast features a distinguished ensemble of veteran Japanese voice actors.
When did Romeo and the Black Brothers first air?
Romeo and the Black Brothers first aired on January 15, 1995, on Fuji TV in Japan. The series was produced by Nippon Animation and ran through 1995, completing its single season of 33 episodes within that same year.
Is Romeo and the Black Brothers suitable for children?
The series carries a Not Rated (NR) classification in the United States, though it is rated G in Australia and suitable for all ages in South Korea. While it is an animated series aimed at younger audiences, it deals with themes of child labor, poverty, and loss that may be emotionally intense for very young viewers.
What genre is Romeo and the Black Brothers?
Romeo and the Black Brothers is a Japanese anime series that blends Animation, Drama, Action, and Adventure. It belongs to the World Masterpiece Theater tradition of literary anime adaptations and is notable for its emotionally resonant storytelling and historical 19th-century European setting.
More About Romeo and the Black Brothers
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