Tales of Little Women (1987)
A heartfelt Japanese anime adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's timeless novel, following four sisters through war, loss, and resilience.
Tales of Little Women - Series Information
- Original Title: 愛の若草物語
- First Air Year: 1987
- Last Air Year: 1987
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (25 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 48
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: January 11, 1987 (Canada - G), January 11, 1987 (Germany - 6), January 11, 1987 (France - NR), January 11, 1987 (Mexico - A), January 11, 1987 (Spain - TP), January 11, 1987 (South Korea - ALL)
- Networks: Fuji TV
- Alternative Titles: Eine froehliche Familie (AT), 小妇人 (CN), 小婦人 (TW), Una per tutte, tutte per una (IT), نساء صغيرات (QA), 사랑의 초원 이야기 (KR), Little Women (US), Les 4 Filles du Dr. March (1987) (FR)
- Production Companies: Nippon Animation
- Production Countries: Japan
Tales of Little Women - Plot
Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy are four loving March sisters living with their mother in the USA during the Civil War. Their father is a military doctor fighting in the Union Army. After a terrible battle in a neighbour town, the Confederates pass through their town and burn it. Over the ruins of their house the March family also learn that the factory in which their father invested all his money has been burnt too. Homeless and pennyless, the family heads towards Newcord, where the father's aunt lives, hoping for the old lady to help them. The girls try to adjust to their new life, face many hardships, meet new friends and wish to the war to be over at last.
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Tales of Little Women - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Rei Sakuma
- Ranko Mizuki
- Keiko Han
- Kozo Shioya
- Eiko Yamada
- Mayumi Shou
- Nobuo Tobita
- Osamu Saka
- Toshihiko Kojima
Tales of Little Women - FAQs
Is Tales of Little Women based on a book?
Tales of Little Women is a faithful anime adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's beloved 1868 novel Little Women. The story follows the four March sisters — Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy — as they grow up during the American Civil War, staying close to the spirit of the original classic.
Where can you stream Tales of Little Women?
Tales of Little Women is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. Free ad-supported viewing is also available on The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Tubi TV, Hoopla, and JustWatch TV. You can also buy episodes on Amazon Video.
How many episodes does Tales of Little Women have?
The series runs for 48 episodes across a single season, with each episode averaging around 25 minutes. It aired in 1987 on Fuji TV in Japan, giving viewers a thorough and immersive retelling of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel.
Who are the voice actors in Tales of Little Women?
The principal voice cast includes Rei Sakuma as Amy March, Eiko Yamada as Josephine March, Mayumi Shou as Elisabeth March, Keiko Han as Margaret March, Kozo Shioya as David March, Nobuo Tobita as Theodore Laurence, Osamu Saka as Frederic March, and Toshihiko Kojima as John Brooke.
When did Tales of Little Women first air?
Tales of Little Women premiered on January 11, 1987, on Fuji TV in Japan. The series was produced by Nippon Animation, the studio behind many beloved World Masterpiece Theater adaptations, and concluded its single season run later that same year.
What is Tales of Little Women about?
The series follows Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March, four sisters living in Civil War-era America while their father serves as a Union Army doctor. After their home is destroyed, the family seeks refuge with a distant relative, and the girls face new challenges, forge friendships, and hold onto hope.
Is Tales of Little Women part of the World Masterpiece Theater?
Tales of Little Women was produced by Nippon Animation, the studio responsible for the celebrated World Masterpiece Theater anthology series. While it shares the same production house and spirit as those classic adaptations, it aired on Fuji TV as part of that beloved tradition of literary anime adaptations.
What are similar anime series to Tales of Little Women?
Fans of Tales of Little Women may enjoy Anne Shirley (2025), Bibliophile Princess (2022), and Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence (2023) for their warm, character-driven storytelling. Bosco Adventure (1986) and Tenko (1981) also share a similar classic anime sensibility rooted in adventure and heartfelt drama.
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