Ashita no Nadja (明日のナージャ), or Tomorrow's Nadja in English, is an anime produced by Toei Animation, and has aired in Japan between February 2, 2003, and January 25, 2004. The series is 50 episodes long; each episode weighs in at around 25 minutes. There is also a manga series published by Kodansha, who are popular for their high-quality Japanese reading materials.

The series is available on DVD (in Japanese), retailing at around $20.00-$30.00 each, and one DVD contains two or three episodes from the ongoing series. It is not currently licensed in English. However, a few fansubbing groups have translated the series to accommodate English subtitles. The legality of the issue is very hazy at best, although distribution - like most fansubbed anime titles - will likely stop once the series has been licensed for an English release.

The original author of the series is Izumi Todo , and the producer is Hiromi Seki .

Synopsis

Ashita no Nadja follows the adventures of a young, blonde girl called Nadja (her name originates in the same name novel of Andre Breton, it means hope in Russian) who travels across Europe with an entertainment act called the "Dandelion Troupe". Although at first glance it appears to be a light-hearted and superficial romantic tale, there are some serious undertones about class discrimination, poverty, and ill-fortune of the conflict between these issues which viewers can't miss; most notably, the dividing line between lords and paupers. It also holds the unique aspect of being set predominantly in Europe; although this is not unheard of, it is usually quite rare for anime to be set in the continent.

In the early first few episodes, Nadja is an orphan who lives at the Applefield Orphanage - run by Miss Appleton - in the early 20th century England. During a calm morning spent out with her friends Alex and Oliver, Nadja is called by Miss Appleton to receive a package delivered to her. Inside a small briefcase, there is an elegant and ornate dress, and a diary. Humbled by these extravagant gifts, Nadja also finds a small letter which reads, "Congratulations, Nadja. Soon, it will be your 13th birthday. To congratulate you, I'm sending you your Lady Mothers memento of her first ball. I'm hoping in my dreams that you and your Lady Mother will be together again." Naturally shocked by the prospect of her mother being still alive, she listens as Miss Appleton reveals that she took Nadja as a small baby from a friend of her mothers, because of her ill health. It was believed that Nadjas mother could not raise a child. However, the diary, the dress, and most prominently the heart-shaped brooch which adorns Nadja, all connect her to her mother. These symbolic items are heavily emphasised upon during the show.

The next day, Nadja and her friends encounter a huge vehicle in the town centre, which generates a large crowd. This is mostly due to cars being an object of incredulous wealth or good mechanical handicraft, due to the technological restraints of the early 20th century. Nadja soon discovers that the automobile is essentially a moving "circus", complete with a set of colourful performers who call themselves the "Dandelion Troupe". The performers dance on stage and sing a song of world-wide greetings; the leader, Master George, watches retrospectively as Nadja teaches the dance to some children. A strong gust of wind carries Nadja's hat off behind the automobile, where she finds a tiny old lady sitting by the fountains edge, holding a crystal ball. She prophesises that Nadja is a girl who "is loved by the Goddess of Fate", and will "follow a destiny that noone could have imagined". Also watching Nadja are a pair of mysterious bandits who appear to be looking for her, and gaze in particular at her brooch.

The following night, while she puts all the children of the orphanage to bed, Nadja takes a moment to reflect on the gifts she was sent that belonged to her mother. The diary appears to be in German. While Nadja is dreaming about her dress, the two bandits from earlier fumble around the orphanage with a torchlight, in search of her. However, a child wakes up because of their exploits, and they are startled into dropping the torchlight, instantly setting the room ablaze. Nadja hears the children screaming and quickly alerts everyone whilst evacuating the children; the "Dandelion Troupe" spot the fire and rush to the scene in their car to help.

Nadja realizes that she has left her trunk containing her mothers gifts inside of the burning orphanage, and makes no hesitation in perilously diving through the flames to reach it. However, upon returning through the corridor, the path is blocked by a stoic fire, and the ceiling beams begin to creak under the pressure; Nadja crashes out of the window just in time.

Unluckily, the bandits from beforehand are waiting outside of the window, and order Nadja to hand over her brooch. She runs through the woods while the bandits give chase, but she falls; the bandits grab her and force her brooch off until it cracks open on the ground, revealing a ring. However, at that time, a stranger upon a glamorous horse arrives at the scene, declaring that, "A moon, as beautiful as the one on this night . . . does not wish to see a lady's tears."

The villains, thoroughly angry, plough into the new-comer, but he makes short work of both with effortless one-shot punches. In true shoujo-style, the boy reveals himself to be a fairly handsome man in a pale-blue suit, and Nadja is astounded by her rescuer. He comforts her, and she remarks that he is a, "starry-eyed knight". He carries her to the "Dandelion Troupe"'s camping spot, where they accommodate her for the night; the boy then takes off almost as swiftly as he came.

The next day, Nadja awakes to find herself in a bed, inside the "Dandelion Troupe"'s vehicle. She walks outside to find the performers, who helped to quell the fire, eating breakfast, and they ask her for her name; Nadja starts off suddenly for the orphanage. The fire ravaged a good portion of the orphangage, and she finds the bandits from the last night consolidating about Nadja's disappearance with Miss Appleton. Nadja, racked with guilt and confusion, decides that she does not deserve to stay at the orphanage after the bandits caused the fire. She leaves a note with Miss Appleton, saying that she has left to find her mother, out in the world.

At first, Nadja attempts to find work in a sweatshop. It was common in England at the time for children to work at the age of 13 - there was no controversy over the issue, whereas today this would never occur due to child labour laws. Some feel that Ashita no Nadja touched too briefly on this aspect of world history, and missed an oppurtunity for a powerful lesson. After Nadja has been refused work from all the factories, she returns to the "Dandelion Troupe" . . . in hope of a job. However, Master George tells her that the troupe can't afford to take on just anybody, and that she must have a talent if she wishes to work for them. Nadja shows off the dancing which impressed Master George before, and it is quickly agreed that she is the next hot talent for the "Dandelion Troupe". Her improvisational (as opposed to choreographed) dancing becomes a hit act with the first performance, and she soon finds herself in the company of many friends with diverse talents.

The series follows on with her journey with the troupe, and her budding romance with a Prince named Francis, who also appears to be the 'Black Rose'; he is a generous and Robin-Hood-like character with a kind heart, who can relate to Nadja but is separated from her in terms of class. The series has been evoked as a little melodramatic in the first few episodes, but it quickly turns into quite a semi-serious drama with a lot of genuinely sad moments, including a man named Raphael who lost his love due to illness when they eloped, after she was denied permission to marry him because of his lowly status. This is a reoccurring theme throughout Ashita no Nadja.

Character List

• Nadja Applefield

Nadja is the blonde haired orphan who is in search of her mother. She dances for and travels with the "Dandelion Troupe", and is romantically interested in Lord Francis Harcourt.

• Georg Haskil (Master George)

He is vigorous and trusting; his co-workers often call him 'Dancho'(Master), due to his leadership skills. He is the unofficial head of the "Dandelion Troupe".

• Anna Petrova (Granny)

A mysterious, kindly old lady who makes extravagant hats or hair ornaments for dukes and nobles. She also knitted a dress for Nadja, and it's likely that she's the primary source of income for the "Dandelion Troupe", along with donations.

• Silvie Arte

A singer for the "Dandelion Troupe". Often a skeptical lady, she takes kindly to Nadja when they reach Paris. She loves Raphael, the minstrel, but the situation is complex.

• Abel Geiger

The pierrot of the group. He's a strong-willed, calm and friendly man who provides the laughter section to the "Dandelion Troupe". He seems well-educated; he translated the German diary entry of Nadja's mother for Nadja.

• Thomas O'brien

A violinist and in charge of the music. He's friendly and charismatic, but can become emotional when drunk.

• Rita Rossi

A very young girl, who is also a mute (the term was not considered offensive in the time period; it is much more likely she would be referred to as a girl with a speech disorder today). She communicates with Nadja and Kenosuke quite easily, regardless. She also performs with a pair of baby lions on stage for the "Dandelion Troupe".

• Rosemary Applefield

A childhood friend of Nadja in the Applefield Orphanage. She will meet Nadja again in latter of the story.

External links

• Toei Animation's Official Ashita no Nadja page
• AnimeNFO's Ashita no Nadja page
• Ashita no Nadja Goods