Canadian anime news since 2010 (seriously)

In my post about the English dub of Isao Takahata’s Anne of Green Gables anime, I briefly mentioned a 2014 live action drama based on the Japanese translator’s life. That series is Hanako & Anne, a 156 episode entry in NHK’s Asadora block of 15 minute morning dramas about inspirational women. Building on Japan’s deeply established love of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Canadian classic, it became NHK’s most watched Asadora in a decade, with audience shares averaging just under 23%. Naturally, the novel itself got a sales boost. Japan wasn’t the only one to notice the series, either. As it wove Hanako Muraoka’s life with scenes from the book, the Canadian Tourism Commission began to offer travel packages to Canada. The result? Anne’s home province of Prince Edward Island saw a record amount of Japanese guests, experiencing a dramatic 225% increase in visitors from the country versus the prior year. That added an additional $20 million to their tourism income.

I figured that would’ve been the last time I ever spoke about the show, but I know you’ve read the title. Continue reading →