Anne with an E Season 1

It sounds like your experience with the series was a bit of a rollercoaster. I can definitely see how for fans of the book, these changes might be frustrating, especially when it comes to the portrayal of Anne's character and key moments that made the book so beloved. The additions to the plot, like the bullying scene or the misunderstanding over the crystal, seem to stray from the original spirit of Anne’s optimism, resilience, and the gentle, evolving relationship with Marilla.

I think it's important to remember that adaptations often take creative liberties to make the story fit into a different medium or to expand the narrative, but when done poorly, it can feel like they miss the essence of the original. The changes you highlighted — particularly with the relationships between Anne, Diana, and Marilla — definitely shift the dynamics, and they seem to take away from the warmth and lightheartedness that makes Anne’s story so heartwarming.

However, it's great to hear that the performances, particularly that of young Anne, really captured the essence of the character. There's always something special when an actor can convey that much emotion and personality, even when the writing isn't exactly on point.

It's understandable that you'd feel conflicted given how much the book means to you. I think adaptations, while they can add new layers, also risk shifting the tone, and for some fans, that’s a deal-breaker. The older version you mentioned does sound like it was a faithful representation of the book’s themes of love, friendship, and personal growth, which are timeless.

Did you continue watching after the third episode, or did you decide to stop?

The Anne series accompanied me through a very difficult time in high school. I deeply love the original books, and I was really looking forward to this new show. Although the adaptation differs from the original in many ways, it still remains a wonderful series in my heart.

While watching it, I once found myself thinking, “Anne is really not a very likable character,” due to her excessive talking, impulsiveness, and other behaviors. But when I saw Marilla and Matthew responding to the chaos Anne caused with concern rather than anger, I suddenly realized how foolish I had been. “It’s not her fault,” Marilla said.

Why does Anne talk so much, why is she so absorbed in her own world, why does she fantasize about being a princess? All of her eccentricities and social awkwardness—even the parts that are annoying—stem from the fact that she is an orphan. She has suffered discrimination and trauma. She escapes into her imagination to alleviate her loneliness. She’s willing to sacrifice everything just to have a family, to have a friend. I truly feel for her. Watching her talk to herself, befriend her own reflection in the mirror, and imagine herself as a princess—watching her lash out at Gilbert just to win a friend—it’s all so heartbreaking. She shouldn’t have had to be this way.

Yes, if she hadn’t been an orphan, if she didn’t have red hair and freckles, she might have been “well-behaved” and “proper,” just like the other girls—maybe even more so because of her intelligence. But then she would have been just an ordinary girl, not Anne. The show may have amplified some of these traits and added new storylines for dramatic effect, but it doesn’t change the essence.

But what does it mean to be “well-behaved”? Hasn’t Anne already tried hard enough? What kind of flawless heroine do some people need in order to like her? Besides her strengths, must she also be “quiet as a mouse,” submissive and obedient? That’s just not realistic. I wonder if those who dislike Anne truly understand what Montgomery was trying to show us through her. Anne is far from perfect—she had many flaws when she first arrived at Green Gables. But those who nitpick her flaws are judging from our own perspectives.

Most of us, if we had lost our parents, grown up in orphanages, been abused by guardians, mocked and excluded for being “strange” or “ugly”—how many of us could still remain kind and hopeful like Anne? Montgomery understood this, which is why she allowed Anne to grow throughout the rest of the series. Anne’s “unlikability” is perfectly understandable. Those who don’t see this are like Mrs. Barry—speaking of equality while lacking any empathy.

Marilla said, “She’s never had anyone to guide her—this isn’t her fault.” Despite everything, orphaned Anne is still lively, kind, and full of love for life. I ache for her, and I’m so grateful that Marilla and Matthew chose to adopt her. Thank you, Anne, for walking with me through that part of my life. And I’m so happy to see Prince Edward Island come to life on screen.

The show is quite good, and the actors’ performances are excellent. I really like it.

When I see Anne, I see my childhood self. We're so alike—constantly bursting with imagination, always making up stories, loving nature, quick-tempered, sensitive, fierce with boys but loyal to girls. I'd say I'm not interested in romance, and then secretly have a crush on a boy while pretending not to care at all.

Some people might think Anne has many unlikable traits, but those eternally optimistic, kind, resilient, humble, gentle “perfect angels” who are nice to everyone—that’s a flat, idealized version of a child. In real life, children like that don’t exist. Anne is a richly layered character. The young actress did a fantastic job portraying her, and I’m truly grateful to the writers for letting me see a reflection of my childhood self in her.

During this summer vacation, taking advantage of my niece's leisure time after graduating from primary school, we finally watched it together (I had been waiting for a long time to watch it with her). Fortunately, the kid also loved it.

I admire Little Annie for her stubbornness, strength, bravery, and wit. Through the story, it subtly carries out female growth education for the child, while also prompting self-reflection for myself.

I was truly startled when Matthew almost shot himself at the last moment, but luckily he was stopped by his old flame who happened to come to visit...

A line I particularly love is what Gigbert said: "Whether to return to one's hometown should be a choice, not an obligation."

Looking forward to watching more together during the next vacation!

After watching the first episode, I couldn’t help but want to share my thoughts. First, the plot is quite faithful to the original, and the setting and the main character’s portrayal are very fitting. However, the pacing of the story feels a bit rushed. As a fan of the original, it feels somewhat abrupt and forced.

I started falling in love with Anne of Green Gables when I was 11, reading the full translation countless times. I loved it so much that I once meticulously created a timeline of the entire book just to get a clearer understanding of its structure. In the book, the events covered in the first episode take place over a span of two or three weeks, or even longer. But in the show, if I’m not mistaken, it feels like just two or three days have passed. So, at first, I felt a bit out of place.

Of course, considering the production costs, it makes sense to condense and adapt the story. But still, it’s different from what I imagined after reading the book. In my mind, Diana should be more beautiful, Matthew should be more shy and timid, Marilla should be less aged, and Anne’s hair should be fuller (๑°3°๑). Also, Anne was never bullied like that as a child...