- Mangaka : Crystal Chan (Story), Kuma Chan (Artist), and Lucy Maud Montgomery (Original Creator)
- Publisher : Manga Classics
- Genre : Drama, Historical, Shoujo, Slice of Life
- Published : September 2020
Miss Marilla Cuthbert and Mr Matthew Cuthbert, siblings who live together at Green Gables, a farm in Avonlea on Prince Edward Island, decide to adopt a boy from the asylum as a helper for their farm. But there is a misunderstanding as a girl named Anne Shirley arrive at their place of meeting. Anne is a curious, energetic, and interesting girl with imaginations, and her natural hair colour is red, which is uncommon in their country. What should Marilla and Matthew do about this?
Contains Spoilers
Discussion Time
The story of Anne of Green Gables leans toward reality, the historical place which is the Green Gables, and the history and culture during the 1870s. The theme of the story is about family and how we shouldn’t take things for granted.
Anne of Green Gables has been in print continuously for over 112 years and translated into over 34 languages worldwide. It has been adapted into all forms of arts and entertainments! The time has come for this classic to be adapted into a manga where people of all ages can enjoy. Find yourself a seat and indulge in its extraordinary story.
1. The Perspective of an Orphan
It is a hard pill to swallow when you were happy that you were chosen and think that the place you will live in will be your home but turns out that the parents don’t want you. Anne shows a feeling of despair at that moment, and we get to learn her history when Marilla tries to bring Anne back to the Orphan. Orphans don’t usually get the best living conditions that are bad for their mental and physical health, and that is where the story is depicting at the beginning of the chapter.
Another thing to note is that orphans may not understand what is right and wrong, that is why parents who adopted them must have the responsibility to teach them manners and everything needed to know to become a better person, so parenting is an important life skill! If a child did something disrespectful to others, even if their parents are not there, their parents have to take responsibilities for their actions.
2. Feminism
Marilla and Matthew’s intention to have a son instead of a daughter act as a starting point of feminism. In the past, most parents prefer to have sons instead of daughters, but that doesn’t apply to today’s society. As the story progresses, Matthew is proud of having Anne as his daughter and wouldn’t trade her for a dozen boys to help the farm. To all the parents out there, either your sons or daughters, they are your children.
There is a chapter or scene where Anne pointed out that “If women were allowed to vote, we would soon see a blessed change.” Believe it or not, eight years after the release of the original Anne of Green Gables, women can vote in politics! The message here is that women have equal rights as men, and everyone should be treated equally no matter who they are.
3. Appreciate the Things We Have
Even though we live in the modern age where we have gain access to everything with ease, this manga reminds us of what our ancestors have gone through in the past. They have limited access to medicines, educations, college and transports. Our ancestors have that we don’t, and that is appreciating the things they have and the environment. People in modern days tend to take things for granted and often forget how they are made.
4. Family
Although Anne is not related by blood with Marilla and Matthew, you can feel the mutual love they share throughout their lives. They see Anne as their daughter. Anne even sacrifices her ambition to be there and take care of Marilla and Matthew. Family love is a two way; parents taking care of their kids until they grow up into mature adults who would protect them in return for their love and kindness. These are the kind of developments that would leave tears in readers’ eyes.
5. Art Style
The character designs are a mix between an English and Japanese art style, but more leaning toward the English due to the settings and the country the characters live in. The environments are beautifully drawn, and the characters are memorable along with their personalities. The buildings, clothes and accessories hold the history of their culture and etiquette.
Final Thoughts
Anne of Green Gables is a beautiful piece of work emphasising the importance of family, history and appreciation of things in life. This manga adaptation is made to provide an alternative to readers of all age to experience the story of Anne of Green Gables. If you are interested in this classic story, but in the form of a manga, you can give this one a try. Let us know your thoughts on this story in the comments down below!
Author: Nobodies17