Candy

This is one of my favorite anime series that I watched as a child in my native Dominican Republic. I looked forward to each weekly episode. The episodes were dubbed in Spanish but unfortunately I didn't get to see all of them. To this day (and I am in my 30s), I still remember the opening and ending songs that played at the beginning and ending of each episode (in Spanish of course).

Candy Candy was a phenomenon: it resembled an animated soap opera. It was so original because back then the Japanese were the first ones to come with a concept like that: an animated soap opera.

I loved how Candy was always so tomboyish and always got back to her nemesis Neil and Elisa. I hated them so much because they tried to make Candy's life miserable but she always got back at them.

Candy Candy is apt for the entire family. But be warned: it will make you cry and laugh, not exactly in that order.

A very heartwarming anime series, even if the plot often goes into a sad territory, with many tragedies happening to the cheerful protagonist; yet somehow she always keeps her optimism and high spirits.

These kind of sad stories, often referred as "traumatizing" by some older viewers, are actually very important to children: Not to make them "more thankful", but in order to empathize with the struggles of much less fortunate people.

Avoiding sadness and harshness in modern fiction actually does a disservice to children, turning everything into a vapid exercise of escapism that might be provide some fun, but ultimately end being an empty experience.

Learning about pain (And also overcoming pain, like Candy often does) is actually a very valuable experience that shouldn't be dismissed.

Shows like this have a timeless quality, disregard of the somewhat dated animation due its beautiful story, filled with both joy and sadness. Both are important, and more complement each other in a wonderful manner.

Such is life, such is childhood.

...this is a cartoon I strongly remember from my childhood. Couldn't have been more than five years old when my parents brought home Candy Candy for the first time. In each episode there's both laughter, crying, love and evil. Candy's originally an orphan found in the snow one day by one of the teachers from the orphanage. She grows up there but get's adopted. This family she gets to isn't such a pleasant family. Well, the father is, but the children and their mother is dreadful. While living with them Candy falls in love with a beautiful stranger that she meets one day in the forrest.

I really loved this cartoon as a child and I still do. Can't wait until I get children of my own so that I can introduce them to the wonderful world of Candy.

For those who liked Candy Candy, I recommend Sandybell, or Hello Sandybell as it is called.

Candy Candy is a great anime. First of all, it certainly has the best soundtrack in all the animes. anyone who has even watched only one episode picks up the "watashi wa watashi wa watashi wa candy" lyrics at once. This anime series is about friendship, love without any expectations, being kind and all other feelings we lose while growing up. Candy is really great for kids as it teaches being good for just the sake of being good. I think that it is even better for grown ups as it helps us learn those long-lost virtues I have mentioned above. Also, for the people who have watched this when they were little and when there were only a couple of TV channels and a handful of cartoons only in the mornings, this series is a good reminder of childhood memories.

I remember when I used to watch Candy Candy, I was like 8 years old. I loved it so bad, I would never missed an episode. Al my family will gather at 4 pm to watch it. My sister, my cousins, and I would always talk about it, we were just fascinated with the story. I particularly remember when Candy went to a custom party and she had to dress up as Romeo and Juliet, that was hilarious. I had to admit that I saw the entire series like 3 times, I just liked it a lot, I couldn't help it, and I wouldn't mind watching it again. I would love to see it once again, but I don't think they would transmit it here in the U.S. Even though, Candy Candy, and all its characters will stay in my mind forever, and if I ever get to have the series on DVD, the rest of my dynasty will enjoy it as well. (Btw I am only 21)