Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter
26 episodes of beautifully animated storytelling with marvelous English language voice art, perfect for a chilly winter evening.
If what you want is the feeling you get when you cozy up with a good book and get lost in another world of wonder and meaning and friendship, then these two seasons of delightful anime are what you are looking for.
If you are looking for forgiveness, to give it or to receive it, this delightful animation is for you.
An adaptation of the novel by Astrid Lindgren, the voice artistry in English is superb. This is a calm, carefully paced story with well developed characters that always only say what they mean and take their time about it. It is the pacing of life in the high mountains and it will leave you entranced.
It is about two barefoot children, a boy and a girl, from rival robber gangs. We follow along across many episodes as they become best friends and together negotiate life, the magical, wild forest, and their families.
It is a gentle and reassuring voyage for a quiet evening of authentic storytelling. A large portion of anime is gratuitous trash without a shred of meaningful storyline. However there are many notable exceptions that make the genre something to consider and this among the best.
Ronja, a Robber’s Daughter was produced by Studio Ghibli and was directed by Goro Miyazaki, heir to the legacy of his famous father, Hayao Miyazaki. Whoever it is that can take credit for the production of this tender magic over two seasons of episodes accomplished a work of authentic storytelling. The English voice art, the pacing, the simple artwork, is all so engrossing. There is none of the caustic behavior and detached alarm we have come by now to expect from the industry. This imaginary voyage into the lives of these medieval people will take you forward and bring you back all at the same time, without ever having to leave home.
I invite you to enjoy the series which is available online and in your local library.
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