My Daddy Long Legs

Seventeen-year-old Judy Abbott grows up in an orphanage in New York and suddenly finds a chance to attend college after a mysterious patron offers a scholarship and a regular stipend. He believes Judy has real talent as a writer, and his only request is that she address a monthly letter to the invented name "Mr. John Smith," without expecting a reply. The series follows Judy as she adjusts to academic life, new friendships, awkward romances, and the small setbacks that shape her voice and confidence. Humor and quiet drama sit side by side, and the show keeps the benefactor's identity secret while concentrating on Judy's personal growth.

Released in 1990, the TV anime was created by Nobuyuki Fujimoto and adapts Jean Webster's novel Daddy-Long-Legs, featuring a Japanese cast led by Mitsuko Horie, Bin Shimada, Chie Sato, Hideyuki Tanaka, and Yuri Amano.

There are no widely reported major awards for this series. It hasn't been a frequent presence in international anime prize lists, and its recognition is stronger among longtime viewers than in awards catalogs.

Among adaptations of Western literature into anime, My Daddy Long Legs is remembered for its gentle tone and strong voice performances, especially Mitsuko Horie's portrayal of Judy. Its image of letter-writing as a quiet lifeline and its depiction of early 20th century New York have kept it in the conversation among fans of classic, family-friendly animation.

The series holds a modest fan rating, 6.7 out of 10 from 19 votes, reflecting steady appreciation rather than blockbuster popularity. Reviewers and viewers tend to praise its emphasis on character development, its mix of light comedy with social themes like class and ambition, and the way writing and correspondence are used to show Judy finding her place in the world.