Episode guide
Here is a listing of all 46 episodes together
with a short description. If you do not want to know the story before you
have seen it, be warned. I have tried to not to give away too much, though.
After each description, there is the corresponding chapter of the original
novel, enclosed in parentheses. Some episodes do not have a corresponding
chapter because there are some new characters and plotlines added in the
anime.
Note:
The English episode names on this page are more or less successful attempts
to translate the original Japanese episode names into English. Sorry if some
of them should sound a bit awkward.
- Miss Minchin's Girl's School
Sara Crewe arrives with her father in London. Mr. Barrow, Crewe's solicitor
has already arranged everything for Sara's stay in Miss Minchin's Seminary.
It's obvious that Sara will be the pupil who is paid the most attention to.
They get to know Peter, who will drive Sara's own carriage.
(Sara)
- In Search of Emily
Until her father returns to India, Sara stays with him in the hotel. But
before he leaves, Sara wants to search the doll Emily who will be her
companion while he is absent. After a long search, they finally find Emily at
a tailor's shop. On the very same day they have to say good-bye.
(Sara)
- The First Day in School
Sara is being introduced to her fellow pupils. There are girls of all ages at
the Seminary. From Lavinia, the oldest girl, to the little Lottie who is
only four years old. An unpleasant incident happens in the first French
lesson. Due to an unfortunate misunderstanding Miss Minchin blames Sara for
being exposed in front of the class.
(A french lesson)
- Good Friend Ermengarde
Poor Ermengarde is the worst pupil in class and is looked down upon by the
other pupils, especially by Lavinia. When she is teased once again, Sara
defends her and they both become good friends. Because it is Ermengarde's
aunt Eliza's birthday, they visit her in the outskirts of London.
(Ermengarde)
- Lottie the Squaller
Lottie runs away from the Seminary. After she was finally found she is brought
back but she cries and cries and cannot be calmed down. After a long time of
patient waiting, Sara manages to pacify her. Sara becomes Lottie's "Mamma
Sara" (Lottie's real mother does not live anymore).
(Lottie)
- Cinderella Becky
Becky arrives at the Seminary to work as a scullery maid. She has got a hard
life with all the work and James and Molly being after her most of the time.
Sara is beginning to feel sympathy for her and wants to help her.
(Becky)
- The Representative of the Class
The mayor's wife visits the Seminary along with some more representatives of
the city. Miss Minchin displays Sara as a credit to the establishement and the
mayor is very impressed. Lavinia is getting more and more jealous of Sara
because she even lost her position of class representative to her.
(-)
- A Nice Little Lady
After a dancing lesson (which again has made Lavinia more jealous of Sara),
Sara returns to her room. As she opens the door, she discovers Becky, tired
and exhausted, fallen asleep on Sara's armchair. When Becky wakes up she
is terribly shocked but to her surprise, Sara invites her to stay a while.
(Becky)
- A Letter from India
Sara organizes a little party to get reconciled with Lavinia but without
success. Especially when a letter from her father arrives saying that he
is going to make a great fortune with a diamond mine project together
with a friend.
(The diamond mines)
- Two Presents
Sara's birthday is really soon. Miss Minchin decides to buy an elegant
frock as a birthday present. They visit the tailor's shop where Sara
found Emily to look for one and they find it, too. But Sara is much more
pleased by the present Becky has made to her: a self-made pincushion.
(The diamond mines)
- The Birthday of the Princess
Her birthday is going to change Sara's life forever. While the girls
have a party, Mr. Barrow arrives at the Seminary with bad, bad news.
The investment of Sara's father in that diamond mine turned into a
catastrophe and resulted in his ruin. Moreover he fell sick with Jungle
Fever and died leaving Sara a pauper.
(The diamond mines again)
- The Dark Attic
Mr. Barrow takes Sara's things away to amortize her father's debts.
Sara has nothing left besides Emily and a photo of her parents. After a
discussion with Mr. Barrow, Miss Minchin decides to keep Sara and make her
work for the Seminary. Sara is given old, worn clothes and must sleep
in an attic chamber next to Becky's room.
(The diamond mines again)
- A Hard Work Day
After all Sara is not completely alone. On the very first night on the
attic, when she sits in the dark, good Becky arrives and brings her a couple
of things she could save for her. Sara feels much relieved with somebody still
caring for her. The next morning Sara and Becky set out to face their first
work day together.
(On the attic)
- A Nightly Visitor
Sara's new situation is beginning to change her. She becomes more quiet which
is is not that striking, however, due to the fact that she has not the
opportunity to speak with other people too often. Ermengarde fears Sara
doesn't like her anymore and is very anxious about this thought. One night she
decides to visit Sara on the attic.
(On the attic)
- Peter, a Child of the Populace
One of her new duties leads Sara to the market at Coven's Garden. There she
meets Peter who has been very worried about her in the meantime. Peter himself
has found back to his former life as an errand-boy after losing his job at
Miss Minchin's. He is still very uncomfortable with Sara's situation but
they both decide to make the best out of it.
(-)
- Lottie's Adventure
Lottie is too young to completely understand the whole situation. But she
knows one thing for sure: that her beloved Mamma Sara is unhappy. After some
research work she finds out Sara's whereabouts, a mysterious room on the
attic of the Seminary. One night she takes courage and creeps out of her bed
and to the attic. Up there a surprise awaits. Sara is going to become friends
with a rat and Lottie will, too! His name is Melchisedec or shortly Melle.
(Melchisedec)
- Little Melle's Family
It's Ermengarde's turn now to meet Melchisedec and his family. In the beginning
she is even more frightened of the rats than Lottie was but also she is getting
used to and is even beginning to like them. Spontaneously she collects some
bread crumbs from the breakfast table for Melle and company but, oh no, she
is caught by Lavinia. If Ermengarde does not survive the inevitable
questioning, Sara will be in great trouble.
(Melchisedec)
- Sad Maypole Celebration
There is a special tradition on the May Day. The girls bath in the morning
dew to become (hopefully) more beautiful. After that they celebrate May Day
with music, dance and of course the Maypole. But to Sara, May Day will bring
a great shock. On her way to the market, a little boy offers her a sixpence.
His face was honest and friendly and he really did not mean any harm. But if
he only knew what he has done to her.
(The Indian Gentleman)
- Call to India
Unexpectedly Sara gets mail. But the letters are all her own, sent back from
India with no father anymore to receive them. Fortunately she recovers soon
from this new confirmation of her father's death. And she decides to find out
for herself what exactly has happened. Together with Peter she writes a letter
to India. Paper and ink is not such a problem but the transportation is.
Without money they must find someone who rides to India by ship and is willing
to deliver the letter.
(-)
- Mysterious Visitors
There is unexceptionally much work to do on this particular day. The best room
has to be prepared for visitors. The secret of the identity of the visitors is
revealed soon. They are Lavinia's parents. Lavinia will from now on
reside in Sara's former room, the grandest of the Seminary. During the
conversation between Lavinia's parents and Miss Minchin an attack on Sara
becomes clear. Lavinia wants Sara for her personal maid!
(-)
- Bitter Tears
Sara lives a hard life. She experiences humiliations and injustice which she
bears with silent perseverance, gaining strength through the remembrance of
her father. Occasionally she looks at her enemies with a strange glare,
making them feel uncomfortable. As she finally begins to rebel openly for the
first time, it will do her no good. It is going to be a rainy day and reasons
will be found to send her on a cold and wet trip through the storm. But Sara
won't give up.
(-)
- The Party on the Attic
To escape the drab monotony of the daily round, Sara and her friends are
going to celebrate a fine little private party in the seclusion of the attic.
But to how to organize such a thing without any of those items, which are
necessary? Just use your imagination. Ermengarde's shawl turns into a heavy
and expensive tablecloth and in the cold grate at the wall, a warm crackling
fire appears.
(The Magic)
- The Friendly Baker
These are hungry days. Sara and Becky rarely get enough to eat. One rainy day,
when Sara is on her way to the market, she accidentally stumbles upon a
4-penny-piece, lying in the gutter, directly in front of a bakery. She wonders
to whom it belongs. The woman from the bakery and the rector at the nearby
church have credible theories. But just a little bit later, when she returns
to the bakery, Sara knows what to do, discovering a small figure in front of
the shop.
(One of the Populace)
- Emily's Fate
It is Lavinia's birthday, and the Seminary is in a hectic state with all the
preparations of the birthday party keeping everyone busy. Sara knows that it
is not a good sign, when Lavinia invites her to join the party. And as
expected, her true intention are soon revealed. Lavinia asks, no, demands
that Sara hands her Emily as a birthday present.
(-)
- Cinderella for one Day
The wife of the mayor announces her visit to the Seminary. One detail puts
Miss Minchin into great trouble. She writes in her letter, that she is looking
forward to meet that little girl again, which has impressed her so much on
her last visit. She means Sara, of course! Miss Minchin is in a desperate
situation. At last she decides to let Sara play the role of the representative
of the class for this one day.
(-)
- The Little Teacher
Miss Minchin has big plans with Sara. At first she disliked the idea of Sara
being a teacher. But then she fell quite in love with the opportunity to
occupy a teacher who doesn't take any money from her. Sara is allowed to
teach French to the younger ones. All seems to be going well until an incident
occurs, where the former King of England Alfred the Great plays an important
role.
(Ram Dass)
- The Homecoming of Msr. Dufarge
Msr. Dufarge protected Sara several times. He does so very unobtrusively, so
that nobody notices it. But this time it turns out badly. Lavinia and her
friends are asking Sara to do their homework for them, the translation of the
letters to their parents to French. Mrs. Dufarge easily finds out the truth
and makes the big mistake to tell it to Lavinia's face.
(-)
- Summer Holidays
On the last school day all girls eagerly await the arrival of their parents
to pick them up. So loud and full of cheerful voices the Seminary might be at
the moment, it is going to be very quite the next several weeks. Moreover,
Miss Minchin decides to send Becky into summer vacation as well to save
money.
(-)
- Becky's Village
After a long journey with the train, Becky finally arrives at her home village
Ashfield. Although she feels well in Sara's company, she misses her family
and is looking forward to see it again. Sara remains behind at the Seminary
and feels more lonely than ever before. But fortunately she receives a
letter from Becky one day which tells her about her experiences at home.
(-)
- The Indian Gentleman
One day, something interesting occurs. The house directly next to the Seminary
has been vacant for a long time. But now somebody will soon move in. Sara
wishes that it was a big family with many children, so that she doesn't feel
so lonely anymore. But it seems that the new neighbour is an old man, Mr.
Carrisford, who lives alone only accompanied by his servants.
(The Indian Gentleman)
- The Monster on the Attic
Earlier than expected, Becky returns to the Seminary. Her family can't longer
afford to do without Becky's work at the seminary. So she's back to Sara's very
delight. Miss Minchin reluctantly allows her to stay. Becky happily wants to
go up to her room, but she gets a great shock. There's a monster or a ghost up
there! But further investigation reveils that it's only a little monkey. His
name is Sulya and he belongs to Ram Dass, the head servant of Mr. Carrisford.
The roof windows of the two houses are adjacent and Sulya simply took the
chance.
(The Indian Gentleman)
- The Secret behind the Wall
Mr. Carrisford is very ill but the doctor says it lies in his own hands to get
well again. Indeed Carrisford has deep sorrows. When the project he had
together with his friend Ralph turned into a disaster, he frightfully ran
away. Later he had to learn that his friend died of Jungle Fever. Moreover
Ralph's only daughter is now completely alone. Nobody knows where she is.
Carrisford even doesn't know her name. Meanwhile Becky and Sara are quite
concerned about Carrisford. He seems to be very ill and they wonder what has
happened to him.
(The Other Side of the Wall)
- The Beginning of School
Holidays are over and all the girls return to the Seminary. Much work for
the servants including Sara and Becky. At least Sara sees her friends Lottie
and Ermengarde again. But Lavinia is back, too, and trouble is not long in
coming. As a result of a nasty scene, a window of the classroom breaks.
(-)
- Redemption in the Middle of the
Storm
This is a very wet and stormy day. And a very very cold one for Sara.
When Lavinia surprises Sara sitting before the fireplace, fallen asleep
by exhaustion, the real trouble begins. An unhappy incident follows,
leaving a large ink blot on Lavinia's best frock. Sara is almost helpless
against Lavinia's rage. She remembers someone she met before who could
help, but outside the storm awaits.
(-)
- At Death's Door
Sara falls very ill. The burdens have been just too much for her. When
it is realized that it is serious, the whole Seminary is in a state of
disquiet. Nobody knows of Sara's real condition and the girls start
whispering. Miss Minchin decides to call a doctor. Ermengarde and Becky doubt
that Dr. Wild is a good doctor, and they're only more worried about Sara.
They decide to help her, too.
(-)
- The Beginning of the Magic
Becky has no idea what is going on on the other side of the wall. Mr.
Carrisford has taken some interest in the fate of the servant girls from
the neighbouring house. His head servant Ram Dass is going to take some
rather unusual actions. When Sara opens her eyes in the middle of the
night, she almost does not believe what she is seeing and believes she is
just dreaming.
(The Magic)
- A commotion on the attic
To Sara's and Becky's delight, the Magic didn't vanish just like a nice
dream. It returns everyday, turning the formerly dull and cold attic into
a warm and comfortable place. Meanwhile Peter is deeply worried about Sara.
The last time he heard of her, she was very ill. So he decides to visit her.
He disguises himself as a chimneysweep.
(The Visitor)
- The End of the Magic
The other servants at the Seminary and Miss Minchin are very suspicious.
Sara and Becky are looking extraordinarily well although they have
almost nothing to eat. They decide to investigate and with success.
How implausible her theories about the origin of the magic might be, Miss
Minchin has got a special punishment for Sara in mind.
(-)
- A cold night in the stable
Miss Minchin is still sure that Sara is helped by Peter. She doesn't allow
Sara to go to the market and sends Becky instead. She meets Peter who is
enraged by Sara's new situation. He runs to the Seminary and tries to
convince Sara to leave it. Meanwhile Ermengarde and Lavinia have got a
short but interesting conversation.
(-)
- Miss Amelia's Tears
During an excursion of the class in the nearby park, Miss Amelia has a
painful accident. She falls into a small but luckily shallow pond and
bruises her hip. Sara is sent for Dr. Wild. After he leaves, Miss Amelia
gets the opportunity to talk to Sara. She begins to tell her about the
two sisters' past.
(-)
- The Halloween Party
On this special day, a big party is planned at the Seminary. In the evening
a whole lot of games are played. However, this is nothing for Miss Minchin
so she is going to bed early. Even Sara and Becky can take part in the
party. But this day should not end as happy as it began. A fire breaks out
in the stable!
(-)
- On the Street
Miss Minchin blames Sara for the fire. Sara sees for the first time to full
extent how much Miss Minchin hates her. After this scene it is clear that the
time has come at last that Sara leaves the Seminary. As she wanders aimlessly
through London, she meets Peter. And he tries hard to help her, of course.
Sara finds shelter and even a job.
(The Diamond Mines again)
- A Nice Parcel
Sara's new employment is not a glamorous one, though. She sells matches on the
street just like the little girl from the fairy tale. But something happens.
As she returns from her work, Miss Amelia is waiting for her, urging her to
return to the Seminary. Shortly thereafter the reason is revealed. A parcel
without detectable sender for Sara was delivered with many presents in it.
Who is the mysterious benefactor?
(The Visitor)
- It is the Child!
As Sara and Becky sit together in Sara's room, they're started by a sudden
rap on the window. Further investigation reveals that it is Sulya, trembling
with coldness. Sara wants to help Sulya so she creeps out of the seminary
to return him to the other house. But the people there are seemingly very
interested in her. The following events should make Mr. Carrisford the
happiest man in the world.
(The Visitor, 'It is the Child!')
- Miss Minchin's remorse
Sara is away for quite a while now. When Miss Minchin discovers that Sara
went to the neighbouring house, she suspects that Sara wants to defame her.
Blind with rage, she storms into the house and wants to take Sara back. But
there a nasty surprise awaits. Meanwhile a letter reaches the Seminary, the
answer for a letter Sara sent to India a long time ago.
('I tried not to be')
- Till we meet again
Christmas is near and the preparations for the celebration are in progress.
Sara spends a couple of happy days in London. On one of these days she meets
the nice baker couple she met before and Anne, a little girl who now helps
in the bakery. Then she leaves for India, but one day she will return.
(Anne)
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Taro Rehrl
(e-mail), 1997-10-14, 2002-08-17