by The TV anime “Anne Shirley,” a new animated adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved Anne of Green Gables series, will return to Japanese television this autumn. The series will begin airing on Fuji TV from October 4, 2026, giving viewers another opportunity to experience Anne Shirley’s coming-of-age story through modern animation.
The anime will air every Sunday from 5:10 a.m. to 5:40 a.m. in the Kanto region, with the broadcast scheduled as a 24-episode series. This is a rebroadcast following its original run on NHK E-Tele from April to September 2025, rather than a brand-new sequel.
The new Fuji TV broadcast is particularly notable because Anne Shirley brings a timeless literary classic to a new generation while preserving the warmth, imagination, and emotional growth that have made Anne of Green Gables popular for more than a century.
‘Anne Shirley’ Anime to Air on Fuji TV in October 2026
The “Anne Shirley” anime will premiere on Fuji TV on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 5:10 a.m. JST. The broadcast is currently scheduled for the Kanto region only and will run for approximately 30 minutes each week. The series consists of 24 episodes.
The series originally aired on NHK E-Tele from April 5 to September 27, 2025. The Fuji TV run therefore gives the anime another chance to reach viewers who may have missed its original broadcast.
This is especially useful for viewers who know Anne of Green Gables as a classic novel or previous anime adaptation but have not yet watched this latest version.
What Is ‘Anne Shirley’ About?
Anne Shirley is based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s internationally beloved “Anne of Green Gables” novels.
The story takes place on the beautiful Prince Edward Island in Canada and follows Anne Shirley, an orphan whose extraordinary imagination and strong personality change the lives of the people around her.
Anne is mistakenly sent to Green Gables, the home of siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. The siblings had originally expected to adopt a boy, so Anne’s arrival comes as a surprise.
Despite the misunderstanding, Matthew quickly becomes fond of Anne, while Marilla initially struggles to understand her energetic personality and endless imagination.
Over time, however, Anne begins to become part of the family.
Her story is not simply about finding a home. It is also about discovering friendship, overcoming difficulties, learning from mistakes,s and gradually growing from an imaginative young girl into a young woman.
Anne, Diana and Gilbert Are at the Heart of the Story
One of the most appealing aspects of Anne Shirley is the relationships Anne develops after arriving in Avonlea.
Among the most important characters are Diana Barry, who becomes Anne’s closest friend, and Gilbert Blythe, Anne’s classmate and eventual rival.
Anne and Gilbert’s relationship begins with conflict rather than friendship. Their rivalry becomes one of the most memorable elements of the story as both characters grow and mature.
Diana, meanwhile, becomes Anne’s “bosom friend,” giving Anne the companionship she had long wanted.
The anime also explores Anne’s relationships with classmates, teachers, rs and other residents of the community. Through these encounters, viewers can see how Anne’s personality gradually affects the people around her.
The official description emphasizes Anne’s growth from childhood into young adulthood and the way her relationships shape that journey.
A Classic Story Reimagined for Modern Audiences
One of the biggest challenges of creating a new Anne of Green Gables adaptation is that the story already has a long history of adaptations.
The new anime therefore does not simply rely on nostalgia. Director Hiroshi Kawamata has explained that the production team returned to Montgomery’s original work while developing its own interpretation of Anne.
The goal was to highlight Anne’s strength, straightforward personality and determination to move forward while showing her gradual growth.
That approach makes Anne Shirley accessible not only to longtime fans but also to people who have never read the original novel.
The Anime Covers More Than the First Novel
Another notable feature is the scope of the adaptation.
The 24-episode anime is based on three books from Montgomery’s Anne series:
- Anne of Green Gables
- Anne of Avonlea
- Anne of the Island
This means the story extends beyond Anne’s earliest childhood years and follows her development as she becomes older.
For beginners, this is an important point: Anne Shirley is not simply a short retelling of Anne’s arrival at Green Gables. It is designed as a broader coming-of-age story.
Strong Production Team Behind ‘Anne Shirley’
The anime is directed by Hiroshi Kawamata, while Kenichi Tsuchiya serves as character designer.
Animation production is handled by The Answer Studio.
The main staff includes:
- Director: Hiroshi Kawamata
- Series Composition: Natsuko Takahashi
- Character Design: Kenichi Tsuchiya
- Animation Directors: Yuji Watanabe, Naoko Saito
- Art Director: Tadashi Kudo
- Color Design: Shiho Kuriki
- Cinematography: Shinji Saito
- Sound Director: Kisuke Koizumi
- Music: Michiru Oshima
- Animation Production: The Answer Studio
The production team has placed particular emphasis on the natural beauty of Prince Edward Island and the expressive personalities of Anne and the people around her.
Main Cast Brings Anne’s World to Life
Honoka Inoue voices the protagonist Anne Shirley.
The main cast also includes:
- Anne Shirley: Honoka Inoue
- Marilla Cuthbert: Aya Nakamura
- Matthew Cuthbert: Yasunori Matsumoto
- Gilbert Blythe: Naoya Miyase
- Diana Barry: Yume Miyamoto
The wider cast includes characters such as Rachel Lynde, Jane Andrews, Ruby Gillis, Josie Pye, Charlie Sloane and Muriel Stacy.
Inoue has spoken about her personal affection for the world of Anne of Green Gables and the excitement and pressure she felt about taking on such an iconic character.
A Beautiful Visual World
Nature is an important part of Anne of Green Gables, and the anime places considerable emphasis on the scenery of Prince Edward Island.
The setting is more than simply a background. Green fields, trees, roads, houses, and changing skies help create the peaceful atmosphere that has long been associated with Anne’s story.
The production team’s goal was to depict Anne, Diana and their friends living alongside nature in a colorful and lively world.
For viewers who enjoy slice-of-life anime, historical stories, coming-of-age dramas and relaxing countryside settings, this visual approach may be one of the series’ biggest attractions.
The Series Has Already Received International Attention
Anne Shirley also received recognition outside Japan.
The anime was selected for the official competition of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in the TV Films category in 2025.
That recognition is significant because Anne’s story has always had an international audience.
The original novel has been translated and published around the world, while the character of Anne Shirley has appeared in numerous adaptations across different media.
The new anime therefore represents another attempt to introduce this classic character to modern audiences.
‘Anne Shirley’ Is More Than a Nostalgic Anime
For longtime fans, the Fuji TV broadcast offers a chance to revisit a familiar story in a new visual style.
For younger viewers, meanwhile, it can serve as an introduction to one of the most enduring coming-of-age stories in world literature.
At its heart, Anne Shirley is about finding a place where you belong.
Anne begins her journey as an orphan who is uncertain about her future. Through her relationships with Matthew, Marilla, Diana, Gilbert and the wider Avonlea community, she gradually discovers family, friendship and confidence.
Her imagination is sometimes the source of trouble, but it is also one of her greatest strengths.
That message remains surprisingly relevant today.
‘Anne Shirley’ Fuji TV Broadcast Details
Title: Anne Shirley
Original work: Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series
Broadcast: Fuji TV
Premiere: October 4, 2026
Schedule: Every Sunday, 5:10 a.m.–5:40 a.m. JST
Region: Kanto only
Episode count: 24 episodes
Director: Hiroshi Kawamata
Character Design: Kenichi Tsuchiya
Animation Production: The Answer Studio
Main Voice Cast: Honoka Inoue, Aya Nakamura, Yasunori Matsumoto, Naoya Miyase and Yume Miyamoto
Final Thoughts
The “Anne Shirley” anime is returning to Japanese television at a time when classic stories are once again finding new audiences through modern animation.
Although the series originally aired on NHK E-Tele in 2025, its October 2026 Fuji TV broadcast provides another opportunity to discover Anne’s journey.
With its beautiful countryside setting, warm character relationships and emphasis on Anne’s emotional growth, the anime should appeal to both longtime Anne of Green Gables fans and newcomers.
For anyone unfamiliar with the story, this could be a perfect starting point. And for fans who already know Anne, Diana, Gilbert, Matthew, and Marilla, the return of “Anne Shirley” offers another chance to revisit the world of Green Gables.
