Heidi of the Alps, episode 1

(アルプスの少女ハイジ) 1974

Since the very young age of one, poor Heidi hasn't known a stable home life. Now five, her caretaker Aunt Dete has taken a new job and decides to travel to the faraway Alps, where Heidi will now live with her grandfather. "Uncle Alm," as the locals call him, is by no means friendly - people who recognize Dete and stop to talk to her warn her that it's not a good place for a little girl to live. They even ask if she's joking.

Along the way, and almost to her destination, Heidi meets an 11-year-old goat herder named Peter. Though energetic, he seems shy and doesn't want to talk, no matter what she tries. It's only when she sheds off the ridiculously excessive layers of clothing her Aunt made her wear, thus enabling her to keep up with him, that he opens up a little, running and laughing with the child as if they were best friends.



Needless to say, Alm is not happy about Heidi suddenly being thrown in his life. Their first meeting isn't even luke-warm in welcome, and he throws harsh words at Dete for the unwanted situation. But he is Heidi's next-of-kin, and it's his turn to do something for the orphan. What will become of this? As he so bluntly asks the young girl at the end of the episode, "What will you do now"? What indeed?

Many people who watch this show might suspect that Hayao Miyazaki had some hand in it. And he did! Riddled with a captivating atmosphere (with careful attention to the calming gentleness of nature), charming songs (despite the yodeling :P), and lovable characters, I can't help but fall head-over-heels for Heidi of the Alps. Peter won me over right away as he plowed right through Dete and Heidi while herding his goats. I can't wait to see what will happen in the next installment. I've been wanting to see this for a long time, and finally someone is fansubbing it.

Heidi is still pretty popular today, with assorted merchandise such as candies, collectable plates, bottled water, even toilet paper. Thousands of Japanese flock to Switzerland each year because of the anime's influence. I'd say that's pretty awesome.