The last backlog in this loosely-themed "block" was something that looked like it was part of World Masterpiece Theater, but was never featured on it. I haven't seen Doremi yet, and I'm going to be a Precure fan for as long as they continue to make it, but there was the stopgap year of 2003, between one franchise and another. When talking dinosaurs and Orphenocs held down Super Hero Time, there was something else alongside them.
A long, long time ago, about 100 years ago. This? This is the story of a young girl who traveled beyond the Door of Destiny
Ashita no Nadja 01-05 (England Arc)
I've done my research. This show was inspired by 70s anime, but it feels equally inspired by the kinds of classic literature that were adapted for WMT. There are signs that it's an original series, such as Nadja's belongings also being highly merchandisable - and I'm certain her baton is being used by Yuyu today - and the presence of Kennosuke, the requisite Japanese character to anchor the audience a bit, but other than that, it's got a look that I don't see in a lot of anime.
It looks like some of the staff from
Doremi worked on this. I'm also noticing what have to be some of the earliest examples of CG dancing in anime. Or at least it looks CG, I can tell the backgrounds are very nearly traced over photos at points. There was some weird perspective issues going on with Nadja's dance in episode 2, but they were largely smoothed over by the time she started dancing for real.
Giving away the plot detail that Nadja is related to royalty so early in the show was a bit unexpected. It does give concrete motivation for why those two thugs are chasing her, and it also shifts how she's going to react when the time comes. A slight bit of dramatic distance for irony, mostly in episode 5. Everyone mistakes her for royalty, but the one person who sees her in her mother's dress is fine with treating her as a commoner because she sees him differently. It's only been one arc and the main themes of the series are already revealing themselves.
Black Rose definitely gives some minor Tuxedo Mask vibes (or I suppose he's like Brian from Gosick with more of a Robin Hood bent), and the members of the Dandelion Troupe are all pretty lovable. Though I don't think lion cubs are supposed to develop their manes that early. They are super super adorable, however.
Love the OP, and the ED is pretty catchy, too. That's another reason I was curious about this one. Amisuke's first major role in anime. It's Western-style children's literature as interpreted by Japan. Though in a time slot that usually holds magical girls, it has no magic. But it's not above a bit of magic realism, like the moment where Francis and Nadja were overtaken by the storm of rose petals.
And it uses a lot of classical music, and I just finished
Tutu not that long ago. They complement each other well.
There's also this. Much classier - and closer related - than the Code Geass version.
I'm only getting started, but this is an easy show to watch, and I already feel like it has something to say. Onward, to sate my curio-sity.