Episode 4 of Anne Shirley , released on April 26th, was moving and poetic. With plenty of tears, farewells, and heartbreaking scenes, it's clear that the anime knows how to entertain us with Anne's fertile imagination, but it's also capable of making us cry at various points in the plot. Through the protagonist's anxieties or her innocent and beautiful way of seeing life, the work brings to the surface our most beautiful and profound feelings.
Anne Shirley is utterly adorable and sentimental; when she loves something, she doesn't just like it, she loves it from the bottom of her heart. It is this love, so pure and gentle, that she expresses for her friend Diana. In the episode, still reluctant to return to school, the protagonist invites her best friend to a tea party. To cheer Anne up, Marilla agrees and mentions that there is strawberry soda for the girl to serve Diana.
However, Marilla says the juice is on the shelf, but in fact, it was in the cellar. Amidst the confusion, Anne serves wine to her friend, who quickly becomes drunk. Because of this, Diana's mother forbids their friendship, which leaves the protagonist extremely upset. To say goodbye to her friend, Diana appears in front of Anne's house, and the moment they say goodbye is poignant, with a moving dialogue.
During their farewell, Anne and Diana exchange words of affection and say they will never forget each other. To further dramatize the scene, the protagonist cuts a lock of her best friend's hair. Besides being poetic, the moment speaks volumes about their relationship and the friendship they cultivated throughout the first episodes. Furthermore, the animation is extremely pleasing and beautiful. In some scenes, especially those depicting landscapes, the aesthetic is reminiscent of paintings on canvas.
Anne Shirley saves Diana's younger sister
Anne decides to return to school, as it's the only place where she can see Diana, even if only from afar. Her classmates are overjoyed with her return and give her food and drawings. Furthermore, Anne still hopes to surpass Gilbert in her studies. He, who seems happy with her return, is encouraged by Anne's academic achievements, but she doesn't share his enthusiasm.
Despite being apart, Anne and Diana exchange notes during class. Gradually getting used to the situation, the girl once again demonstrates her contagious personality and unique way of seeing things around her, uttering the phrase that gives the episode its title: "I can't stay sad for long in such an interesting world.".
However, while Anne is enjoying a quiet afternoon with Matthew, Diana appears and begs for help. The girl's sister, Minnie May, is ill, and there is no one to help her, as her parents are not at home. Without hesitation, Anne Shirley rushes to help her friend, and Matthew, who overhears everything, quickly seeks out a doctor.
Anne is delighted to be treated like an adult
The protagonist quickly realizes that Minnie May has developed a case of croup and is in critical condition. Having cared for children with the same illness before, Anne knows exactly what to do and instructs Diana and Mary, the maid who was in the house.
Finally, the doctor arrives and finds that Diana's sister is stable. He thanks Anne, saying she saved the little girl's life and that if she hadn't acted, it might have been too late. The protagonist is very relieved by Minnie May's improvement and expresses her feelings to the doctor, who is moved by the girl's situation.
When Diana's parents arrive, the doctor makes it clear that Minnie May's life was saved by Anne, and they, who until then had been furious with the girl, express immense gratitude and invite her for tea. Anne then says it was wonderful to be treated like an adult. Finally, joy returns to the protagonist's eyes, and it's beautiful to witness her happiness at being able to play with Diana again.
The anime Anne Shirley is getting better and better. Following the girl's growth, maturation, and feelings is a unique experience. Furthermore, the animation by The Answer Studio , while simple, is very beautiful, enhancing all the drama and beauty of the narrative. For those who enjoy this style of work and captivating characters, the anime is a great option to watch weekly. Episodes of Anne Shirley are available on Crunchyroll with Portuguese subtitles.
Keep following AnimeNews for more news about Anne Shirley and everything related to the otaku world!