La Petite Maison dans la Prairie N°4 Pre-owned book

Princess Sarah: the anime that broke childhoods one tear at a time

Ah, Princess Sarah – the show that made us cry before we even knew what taxes were. Based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel “A Little Princess,” this Japanese animated series from 1985 (produced by Nippon Animation) was a staple of 80s childhood… and emotional trauma.

Broadcast in France in 1987 via the legendary Club Dorothée, the show quickly became iconic for its unbeatable formula: a kind-hearted girl + evil headmistress + attic life + snow + emotional collapse = core memory unlocked.

But beyond the tears, Princess Sarah is a visual gem. The detailed backgrounds, slow-paced storytelling, and truly despicable villains make it a must-watch for any retro anime lover. Let’s not forget that intro theme — a few piano notes, and boom: childhood flashbacks.

Rewatching it now is both painful and oddly comforting. Because honestly, if we survived that attic, we can survive anything.