The Story of Perrine


The Story of Perrine is a Japanese anime series by Nippon Animation. It is the fourth production in the World Masterpiece Theater series. It is based on the French novel En Famille by Hector Malot. The series originally aired on Sundays from January 1 to December 31, 1978, spanning 53 episodes.
It has been dubbed in several languages for some regions, such as Iran, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Latin America, the Arabic Speaking World, Germany, Romania, Thailand, and the Philippines.
A re-edited footage film with some newly re-recorded lines and a new narration was also released in Japan in 1990.

En Famille

The anime is based on the novel En Famille by Hector Malot, which is also translated as Nobody's Girl. Another work by the author, Sans Famille, has a similar story. That work was used as the basis of an anime film, Chibikko Remi to Meiken Kapi, as well as two separate anime series, Nobody's Boy: Remi and Remi, Nobody's Girl.

Plot

13-year-old Perrine Paindavoine is the daughter of an Anglo-Indian mother, Marie, and a French father, Edmond, who dies in Bosnia at the beginning of the story. Before dying, Edmond asks his wife and Perrine to return to his hometown, Maraucourt, where Perrine's grandfather, Vulfran, owns a factory and a family mansion. Perrine and her mother run a traveling photo studio on their journey to France. Upon reaching Paris, however, Marie falls ill. Although they sell everything they have to spend on medication, Marie eventually dies. On her deathbed, she reveals that Perrine must not expect a welcome from her grandfather. Vulfran strongly opposes Edmond's marriage and as such, he detests Perrine.
After the burial, Perrine embarks on an arduous journey to Maraucourt, traveling almost on foot and barely surviving starvation. Once there, she assumes the identity of Aurelie to assess the situation in advance: Maraucourt is a town whose primary function is to house the workforce of its cotton mill, which Mr. Paindavoine owns. As such, the blind, stern Mr. Paindavoine is virtually the local ruler of the town and is feared by everyone, even his irresponsible nephew who expects to inherit the factory.
Aurelie secures the job of pushing rail carts in the factory. Soon, however, she is promoted to factory's interpreter, as she speaks both French and English fluently. Ultimately, through her efficiency, loyalty, and compassion, she becomes Vulfran's personal secretary and is invited to live in his mansion. Vulfran gradually grows fond of Aurelie, who has become his all-time companion without him asking. Coming so close to her grandfather, Aurelie learns about his personal life: having virtually no loving relative, Vulfran has started a search for Edmond, intent to bring him home. Aurelie translates his foreign communications but does not dare to mention that his search is in vain, because Vulfran makes no secret of his hatred for Edmond's wife and daughter, blaming them for stealing his son away, which hurts Aurelie.
Eventually, Vulfran is informed of the premature death of Edmond in Bosnia. The bad news is proved almost fatal, as Vulfran is struck down by grief and only survives the ordeal through the passionate care of Aurelie, who helps him recover. Vulfran is grateful to Aurelie; during a visit from the elderly "grandmother Françoise", once Edmond's nanny, he proclaims that Aurelie is an angel sent by God to save him because such unconditional love is unique for a total stranger. Françoise, a mutual friend of Aurelie since her arrival in Maraucourt, replies that the angel curiously resembles Edmond. Vulkan immediately sends his lawyer to investigate Aurelie's background and also acknowledges that if she is truly his granddaughter, he must make up for having said terrible things about Edmond's family in front of her.
After receiving confirmation that Aurelie is indeed Perrine, Vulfran undergoes dangerous eye surgery to see his granddaughter's face. He also orders the construction of a daycare center and healthy dormitories for the workers of the factory.

Episodes

  1. Setting Out
  2. A Long Journey
  3. Mother's Strength
  4. The Rebel Count
  5. Grandfather and Grandson
  6. Two Mothers
  7. The Circus Boy
  8. The Drunk Donkey
  9. Business Rivals
  10. The Camera Thieves
  11. Baron Does His Best
  12. An Audience of Two
  13. Crossing The Alps
  14. In A Beautiful Country
  15. France! France!
  16. Mother's Decision
  17. An Inn in Paris
  18. The Old Man At The Gate
  19. The Boy From Downtown Paris
  20. Farewell, Palikare
  21. Mother's Last Words
  22. Unforgettable Friends
  23. Solo Journey
  24. A Beautiful Rainbow
  25. Palikare! That's My Palikare!
  26. Kind Rouquerie-obasan
  27. Grandfather's Cold Face
  28. Working in Paindavoine Factory
  29. A Hut By The Lake
  30. All By Herself
  31. Perrine's Guests
  32. Her Secret Name
  33. Theodore's Wallet
  34. An Unforgettable Day
  35. The English Letters
  36. Joy and Anxiety
  37. Grandfather's Large Hand
  38. Her Lovely Dress
  39. A Letter From India
  40. Baron's Calamity
  41. A Castle-Like Château
  42. Rosalie's Sorrow
  43. On Sunday' Perrine...
  44. A Malicious Woman
  45. News From Bosnia
  46. Vulfran's Sorrow
  47. Aurelie's Face
  48. The Fire
  49. A Time for Joyful Tears
  50. The First Snow of Winter
  51. Grandfather's Eyes
  52. An Unforgettable Christmas
  53. Spring Cometh

Characters

;Perrine Paindavoine
;Vulfran Paindavoine
;Marie Paindavoine
;Edmond Paindavoine
;Rosalie
;Cesare
;Paul

Reception

Since its animation style was unsophisticated, the production was considered as mediocre, but near the end of the production, it became one of the most highly regarded pieces within World Masterpiece Theater.