World Masterpiece Theater

is a Japanese TV anime staple that showcased an animated version of a different classical book or story (mostly European with a few North American and one Australian) each year from 1969 to 1997 then resumed in 2007. The first several series were produced by Mushi Production, later by Zuiyo Eizo, and then by Nippon Animation. Through 2009, 26 seasons were produced with 6 dubbed in English for the North American market.

Before Nippon Animation - Calpis Comic Theater (1969–1974)

 * Note: These are the only series that are not included into the World Masterpiece Theater franchise.


 * Dororo and Hyakkimaru (1969)
 * Moomin (1969 - 1970)
 * Andersen Stories (1971)
 * New Moomin (1972)
 * Rocky Chuck the Mountain rat (1973)
 * Heidi, Girl of the Alps (1974)

Nippon Animation - Calpis Children's Theater (1975–1977)

 * A Dog of Flanders (1975)
 * Marco, 3000 Leagues in Search for Mother (1976)
 * Rascal the Raccoon (1977)

Calpis Family Theater (1978)

 * The Story of Perrine (1978)

World Masterpiece Theater (1979–1985; no title sponsor)

 * Anne of Green Gables (1979)
 * The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1980)
 * The Swiss Family Robinson: Flone of the Mysterious Island (1981)
 * Lucy of the Southern Rainbow (1982)
 * Story of the Alps: My Annette (1983)
 * Katri, Girl of the Meadows (1984)
 * Princess Sarah (1985)

House Foods World Masterpiece Theater (1986–1993

 * The Story of Pollyanna, Girl of Love (1986)
 * Little Women: Love Story of the Young Grass (1987)
 * Little Prince Cedie (1988)
 * The Adventures of Peter Pan (1989)
 * My Daddy Long Legs ( 1990)
 * Trapp Family Story (1991)
 * The Bush Baby (1992)
 * Little Women II: Jo's Boys (1993)

World Masterpiece Theater (1994–1997; no title sponsor)

 * Tico of the Seven Seas (1994)
 * Romeo's Blue Skies (1995)
 * Famous Dog Lassie (1996)
 * Remi, Nobody's Girl (1996 - 1997)

House Foods World Masterpiece Theater (2007–2009)

 * Les Misérables: Girl Cosette (2007)
 * The Long Journey of Porphy (2008
 * Kon'nichiwa Anne: Before Green Gables (2009)