Ashita no Nadja
| Ashita no Nadja | |
| File:Ashitanonadja1.png Nadja, the young girl from Ashita no Nadja. The series chronicles her adventures. | |
| Manga | |
| Published by | Kodansha |
|---|---|
| Anime | |
| Ashita no Nadja | |
| Directed by | Takuya Igarashi |
| Studio | Toei Animation |
Ashita no Nadja (明日のナージャ), or Tomorrow's Nadja in English, is an anime produced by Toei Animation, and has aired in Japan between February 2, 2003, and January 25, 2004. The series is 50 episodes long; each episode weighs in at around 25 minutes. There is also a manga series published by Kodansha, who are popular for their high-quality Japanese reading materials.
The series is available on DVD (in is Japanese), retailing at around $20.00-$30.00 each, and one DVD contains two or three episodes from the ongoing series. It is not currently licensed in English. However, a few fansubbing groups have translated the series to accommodate English subtitles.
Starting February 2006, the series was broadcas as Nadja dubbed in Spanish and Portuguese on the Latin American version of Cartoon Network. The show currently airs weekday nights at 2am. [1] [2]
The original author of the series is Izumi Todo, and the producer is Hiromi Seki.
Synopsis
Ashita no Nadja follows the adventures of a young, blonde girl called Nadja Applefield (her name originates in the same name novel of Andre Breton, which means hope in Russian) who travels across Europe with an entertainment act called the "Dandelion Troupe". Although at first glance it appears to be a light-hearted and superficial romantic tale, there are some serious undertones about class discrimination, poverty, and ill-fortune of the conflict between these issues which viewers can't miss; most notably, the dividing line between lords and paupers. It also holds the unique aspect of being set predominantly in Europe; although this is not unheard of, it is usually quite rare for anime to be set in the continent.
In the early first few episodes, Nadja is an orphan who lives at the Applefield Orphanage - run by Miss Appleton - in the early 20th century England. During a calm morning spent out with her friends Alex and Oliver, Nadja is called by Miss Appleton to receive a package delivered to her. Inside a small briefcase, there is an elegant and ornate dress, and a diary. Humbled by these extravagant gifts, Nadja also finds a small letter which reads, "Congratulations, Nadja. Soon, it will be your 13th birthday. To congratulate you, I'm sending you your Lady Mother's memento of her first ball. I'm hoping in my dreams that you and your Lady Mother will be together again."
Naturally shocked by the prospect of her mother being still alive, she listens as Miss Appleton reveals that she took Nadja as a small baby from a friend of her mother's, because of her ill health. It was believed that Nadja's mother, due to a life-threatening illness that took Nadja's father's life, could not raise a child. However, the diary, the dress, and most prominently the heart-shaped brooch which adorns Nadja, all connect her to her mother. These symbolic items are heavily emphasised upon during the show.
The next day, Nadja and her friends encounter a huge vehicle in the town centre, which generates a large crowd. This is mostly due to cars being an object of incredulous wealth or good mechanical handicraft, due to the technological restraints of the early 20th century. Nadja soon discovers that the automobile is essentially a moving "circus", complete with a set of colourful performers who call themselves the "Dandelion Troupe". The performers dance on stage and sing a song of world-wide greetings; the leader, Master George Haskill, watches inquiringly as Nadja teaches the dance to some children. A strong gust of wind carries Nadja's hat off behind the automobile, where she finds a tiny old lady sitting by the fountains edge, holding a crystal ball. Her name is Anna Petrova and she prophesises that Nadja is a girl who "is loved by the Goddess of Fate", and will "follow a destiny that no one could have imagined". Also watching Nadja are a pair of mysterious bandits who appear to be looking for her, and gaze in particular at her brooch.
The following night, while she puts all the younger children of the orphanage to bed, Nadja takes a moment to reflect on the gifts she was sent that belonged to her mother. The diary appears to be in German. While Nadja is dreaming about her dress, the two bandits from earlier fumble around the orphanage with a torchlight, in search of her. However, a child wakes up because of their exploits, and they are startled into dropping the torchlight, instantly setting the room ablaze. Nadja hears the children screaming and quickly alerts everyone whilst evacuating the children; the "Dandelion Troupe" spot the fire and rush to the scene in their car to help.
Nadja realizes that she has left her trunk containing her mother's gifts inside of the burning orphanage, and makes no hesitation in perilously diving through the flames to reach it. However, upon returning through the corridor, the path is blocked by a stoic fire, and the ceiling beams begin to creak under the pressure; Nadja crashes out of the window just in time.
Unluckily, the bandits from beforehand are waiting outside of the window, and order Nadja to hand over her brooch. Panicking, Nadja runs through the woods while the bandits give chase, but she falls; the bandits grab her and force her brooch off until it cracks open on the ground, revealing a ring. However, at that time, a stranger upon a glamorous horse arrives at the scene, declaring that, "A moon, as beautiful as the one on this night . . . does not wish to see a lady's tears."
The villains, thoroughly angry, plough into the new-comer, but he makes short work of both with effortless one-shot punches. In true shōjo-style, the boy reveals himself to be a handsome man in a pale-blue suit, and Nadja is astounded by her rescuer. He comforts her, and she remarks that he is a, "starry-eyed knight". He carries her to the "Dandelion Troupe"'s camping spot, where they accommodate her for the night; the boy then takes off almost as swiftly as he came.
The next day, Nadja awakes to find herself in a bed, inside the Dandelion Troupe's vehicle. She walks outside to find the performers, who helped to quell the fire, eating breakfast, and they ask her for her name; Nadja starts off suddenly for the orphanage. The fire ravaged a good portion of the building, and she finds the bandits from the last night consolidating about Nadja's disappearance with Miss Appleton. Nadja, racked with guilt and confusion, decides that she does not deserve to stay at the orphanage after the bandits caused the fire. She leaves a note with Miss Appleton, saying that she has left to find her mother, out in the world.
At first, Nadja attempts to find work in a sweatshop. It was common in England at the time for children to work at the age of 13 - there was no controversy over the issue, whereas today this would never occur due to child labour laws. After Nadja has been refused work from all the factories, she returns to the "Dandelion Troupe" in hope of a job. However, Master George tells her that the troupe can't afford to take on just anybody, and that she must have a talent if she wishes to work for them. Nadja shows off the dancing which impressed Master George before, and it is agreed that she is the next hot talent for the "Dandelion Troupe". Her improvisational (as opposed to choreographed) dancing becomes a hit act with the first performance, and she soon finds herself in the company of many friends with diverse talents.
The series follows on with her journey with the troupe, and her budding romance with a noble young man named Francis Harcourt, who also appears to be the 'Black Rose'; he is a generous and Robin-Hood-like character with a kind heart, who can relate to Nadja but is separated from her in terms of class.
Later on Nadja met Francis whom she referred to him as 'Starry-eyed Knight' at a big mansion while travelling with the "Dandelion Troupe". He was out riding on his horse when Nadja saw him. While being in the mansion she got lost and everyone in the mansion treated her as a servant/maid or some sort of low class since the nobles were above the class. Soon later Francis found her dancing alone and had a talk with her. He said that having education, being wealthy and all sorts do not amount how much you are worth.. It is actually how you strive everyday in life just to survive.
Character List
- Nadja Applefield
Nadja Applefield is a sunny, charming girl, with a talent for dancing and making friends wherever she goes. Even though she is very young, she shoulders responsibility well, often taking care of the children younger than her at the orphanage. On the other hand, though rather empathic, she's also naîve and trusting, which leads other to take easy advantage of her and even abuse her, if the right buttons are pressed.
Nadja was left to be raised at the Applefield Orphanage as a baby, her only possession at the time being an elaborate heart-shaped brooch. Nadja grew up at the orphanage believing her parents were dead; however in the days before her 13th birthday, Nadja received a surprising gift in the mail: a trunk containing a party dress and a diary, both keepsakes belonging to Nadja's true mother. The gown was worn by Nadja's mother at her first ball, and the diary was her mother's colorful description of all the people she met and danced with at that ball. Nadja is amazed by this gift, and stunned to discover that her mother might actually be alive out there somewhere. When bad men arrive to steal the brooch away from Nadja, she leaves the Applefield Orphanage and begins a career as a dancer with the travelling Dandelion Troupe. Her dream is to someday be reunited with her mother.
- George Haskill (Master George)
He is vigorous and trusting; his co-workers often call him 'Dancho'(Master), due to his leadership skills. He is the unofficial head of the "Dandelion Troupe" and a good friend to Raphael, the owner. George is the "gentle strongman" and leader of the Dandelion Troupe; the car they all travel in appears to belong to him, and he is the one who decides where they will travel to next. George is gruff and macho, but he has his weaknesses as well. He is addicted to treasure hunting, and cannot turn down any maps offered to him. His treasure hunting passion has dragged the Troupe off course in their travels several times. It is unclear if any of his treasure hunting exploits have ever actually yielded any treasure, but George is always keen on going after the next treasure on the horizon.
- Anna Petrova (Granny)
A mysterious, kindly Russian old lady who makes extravagant hats or hair ornaments for dukes and nobles. She also knitted a dress for Nadja, and it's likely that she's the primary source of income for the "Dandelion Troupe", along with donations. Anna Petrova is a very mysterious character: she is sort of a grandmotherly figure for everyone in the Troupe, yet none of them are really sure just how old she is. Anna sews all the costumes for the Troupe (Though it seems that Nadja and Kennosuke are the only ones who occasionally change costume) and she also operates the phonograph mounted on the top of the car. Anna has a side business of making fashionable hats for noblewomen, and occasionally the Dandelion car must detour so Anna can deliver a hat to a buyer. Anna is also a fortune teller; she know right away after she first sees Nadja that fate has some adventures in store for her, and throughout the series she always seems to know when important things will happen to Nadja. She's also an unexpectedly good fighter, due to her small size and skill with her deadly iron pan.
- Sylvie Arte
The French singer for the "Dandelion Troupe". Often a skeptical lady, she takes kindly to Nadja when they reach Paris. Sylvie is the "songbird" of the Dandelion Troupe; her beautiful voice (and sexy looks) captivate her audience wherever she goes. Sylvie is sort of an older sister figure for Nadja while they are on the road, good at giving Nadja advice, and is someone Nadja can turn to with her romantic problems. Sylvie can be frivilous at times; she likes going shopping, like almost any other girl her age, and at one point she is seen dating Antonio Fabiani, a very shady character. However Sylvie has some romantic problems of her own; she suffers unrequited love for Raphael, a traveling musician and the true owner of the Dandelion Troupe, who can't correspond her feelings since his first wife died of illness and he still blames himself for it.
- Abel Geiger
Abel is German and works as the Pierrot of the Troupe, in charge of comedy and laughter. He wears clown make-up while on stage, and performs all kinds of amusing antics such as juggling, acrobatics, and standing on a large ball. Even though he is the Pierrot, Abel can be very serious and wise at times. He is a very well educated man, somewhat of a scholar and mentor figure; he helps Nadja to read her mother's diary, which is written in German, a language Nadja does not know since she has been raised in England. He also helps her look for some books in a library. Behind Abel's Pierrot make-up lies a sad past and a family he had to leave behind; he was the doctor of an empoverished village, but spent years in jail after stealing medicine from an hospital to save his patients from an episdemy and had to abandon his family after his release, since his son Stefan also had the illness and was left in a wheelchair.
- Thomas O'Brien
A gentle Irish musician, Thomas plays the violin for the Dandelion Troupe. He is a very quiet sort of guy, and very talented, very dedicated to his music; one of the few times Thomas really gets angry is when someone insults his music and his playing, like genius pianist John Whittard does. Thomas gives Nadja her first dancing prop: a baton of sorts that has a matching castanet that attaches to one end, and a belled piece that attaches to the other end. Another thing about Thomas is his practicality; he is often gentle and quiet, but he is also very down to earth when it comes to day to day life, becoming concerned about how the Troupe earns money and the success of their performances. He's also rather cowardly when faced with violence and physical danger, and at those times Abel and Sylvie give him booze to make him overcome his fear.
- Rita Rossi
A very young Italian girl, who is also a mute (the term was not considered offensive in the time period; it is much more likely she would be referred to as a girl with a speech disorder today). She communicates with Nadja and Kenosuke quite easily, regardless. She's a lion tamer performs with a pair of growth-stunted lions on stage for the "Dandelion Troupe". She is an orphan like Nadja, since her parents (also lion tamers, who raised her in the circus life) died in a fire that consumed their circus; that tragic incident robbed her of the ability to speak for years and also left her with an absolute fear of any kind of fire. After the death of her parents, Rita was adopted by the Dandelion Troupe (who witnessed the whole tragedy), and performs on stage with the twin lions 'Creme' (the white-coloured one) and 'Chocolat' (the black-coloured one; s/he is white like his/her twin sibling, but George uses painting on him/her to make him/her look black), both of which seem that they never age into adult lions. With Nadja's help, Rita gets over her trauma and starts talking again.
- Rosemary Applefield
A childhood friend of Nadja in the Applefield Orphanage. While Nadja is the type to always run around climbing trees with the boys, Rosemary is more dreamy and would rather watch from afar. Rosemary is unhappy about her status as an orphan, and always likes to fantasize that she is really a beautiful princess who was lost by her family, and who will be rescued any day now. Nadja played along with Rosemary's dreams by calling Rosemary 'princess' and pretending to be her faithful knight. But when Rosemary turns 13, she, like all Applefield children, has to leave the orphanage and get a job. She works first as the maid of a wealthy family in Spain, and later as a lady-in-waiting for a scheming Austrian duke, who disguises her as Nadja for his own purposes; Rosemary sees her second job as a way to escape from reality and make her own princess dreams finally come true... even if it hurts Nadja, whom she sees as a traitor after a tragic misunderstanding that happens when they meet in Spain, months after Rosemary leaves the orphanage and Nadja joins the Dandelion Troupe.
- Francis Harcourt
He's the son of a wealth English nobleman, raised by his kind aunt Emma after his mother died. Unlike other nobles, he doesn't believe in social classes and differences, so under the 'noblesse obligue' motto he becomes an active advocate for charity and a sort of kind, sweet guardian angel for the poor. He's extremely focused in this work to the point of being somewhat work-a-holic, therefore ignoring the affections of girls like his close friend Mary Anne Hamilton. He and Nadja meet in a charity ball, bonding through their common memories and crossing paths many times as they separately travel through Europe. However, while still good-hearted, Francis is not as ultra-perfect as he seems, specially since he has serious self-esteem problems and guilt trips that arise when he sees that his good intentions aren't enough to make the poor happier.
- Black Rose
Black Rose is one dashing, handsome and mysterious thief who steals from the rich and gives the stolen wealth to the poor, since he believes that all the wealthy people are frivolous and self-centered. He's very well-loved by the crowd, and famous among the journalists. His trademarks are his black costume with cape, mask, and calling card that he uses to taunt his future victims. He crosses paths with Nadja several times during her travels with the Dandelion Troupe; she's at first enraged by his dry wit and exploits, but later learns his motives and starts to empaathize more with him.
Black Rose's true identity is revealed mid-way the series. His true name is Keith Harcourt, and he's the older twin brother of Nadja's crush Francis, who walked away from his family after he finished his schooling. He shares his twin's desire to help the poor, but is far more cynical and disenchanted, since he thinks that 'noblesse obligue' is insufficient. The death of their mother also had an influence; while the more innocent Francis saw only Countess Harcourt's kinder side, Keith could see her secret unhappiness upon being a bird in a gilded cage. Nadja's love of freedom touches him so much that he appoints himself as her protector after he rescues her from Rosso and Bianco; therefore, Keith is the 'Starry-eyed Knight' that Nadja worships so much, not Francis... and that Keith falls in love with Nadja in the future