Best Drama Anime of 1979

In the year 0079 of the Universal Century, humanity has established settlements in space colonies referred to as "Sides." One of these Sides proclaims itself the independent "Principality of Zeon" and initiates conflict against the Earth Federation, the governing body of Earth. Zeon achieves early success by deploying advanced humanoid war machines called "mobile suits." Nine months into the war, the Earth Federation introduces their own potent mobile suit, the Gundam. When Zeon launches an attack on the colony housing the Gundam, a 15-year-old civilian named Amuro Ray is unexpectedly forced into combat. He faces off against Zeon's ace pilot, Char Aznable, in a struggle that takes place across Earth and space.

During an era defined by rigid class divisions and escalating suffering among the common people, the Austrian Empire sends Princess Marie Antoinette to France to marry Crown Prince Louis XVI, aiming to strengthen ties between their countries. Yet the future queen resents her predetermined fate. Upon arrival, Marie Antoinette meets Oscar François de Jarjayes, the Commander of the Royal Guard. Raised as a man because her father wanted a son, Oscar is meant to inherit his position. Though many respect her, Oscar secretly longs to live openly as a woman rather than keep up her male disguise. As Oscar reluctantly serves the self-indulgent queen, the deepening hardship and anger of the impoverished masses become harder to ignore—especially in light of Marie Antoinette's lavish squandering of wealth.

In Akage no Anne, Anne Shirley—an imaginative but impulsive eleven-year-old orphan—is unexpectedly sent to live with the Cuthberts, elderly siblings Marilla and Matthew, in Avonlea. Although the Cuthberts originally wanted a boy to assist with their farm work, they decide to take in Anne instead. This adaptation of L.M. Montgomery's beloved novel traces Anne's development from age eleven to seventeen, focusing on her relationships and goodbyes with the people around her. The narrative concludes with a pivotal choice that will permanently determine the course of Anne's future.

After the murder of his mother by the villainous robot Count Mecha, young Tetsuro has sunk into a life of street delinquency, his mind occupied solely by thoughts of vengeance. He dwells in a far-off future where humans may journey to another planet to trade their flesh for eternal mechanical bodies. His one ambition is to gather enough stolen funds to ride the Galaxy Express 999, a train that traverses space and carries passengers to the planet of robots. One day, while fleeing from the authorities, he encounters the gorgeous Maetel, whose face bears a striking resemblance to his late mother. She proposes to take him aboard the Galaxy Express 999, granting him a robotic form and a chance to face Count Mecha. As the voyage unfolds, the pair meets an array of colorful individuals, including Captain Harlock and Queen Emeraldas, and Tetsuro gradually discovers what it really means to be human.

The King of the Flower Planet is on the verge of death, but he cannot pass his throne to the rightful heir until the legendary Seven Color Flower—the symbol of his authority—is found. To locate it, the angels Cateau and Noveau are dispatched to Earth in search of the Flower Girl, a descendant of both humans and Flower Angels who once lived there. They find Lunlun in France and persuade her to accompany them on their mission to discover the Flower. During their travels, Lunlun encounters both kindness and cruelty from humans and Flower Angels alike, embodied by the sly Togenishia and her partner Boris. She also develops feelings for Serge Flora, a man who carries a deep secret.

First-year high school student Hiromi joins the tennis team out of admiration for Ryuuzaki, a senior and the club's best player, nicknamed "Ochoufujin" ("Madame Butterfly") for her elegance on the court. However, the newly appointed coach, Jin Munakata, wants the still-inexperienced Hiromi to play in an upcoming tournament. Because of this, Hiromi nearly gives up tennis for good, yet deep down she soon realizes she truly loves the sport. She returns to the club, and under Munakata's coaching, her talent begins to blossom. In the end, Hiromi develops a deep emotional bond with her coach, unaware that Munakata is risking his life due to a chronic illness.

In 2201, the Space Battleship Yamato returns from its fierce clash with Emperor Zordar and the Comet Empire. Sanada, Aihara, and Shima, now discharged from the hospital, visit Okita's memorial to honor their fallen comrades. There they encounter Tasuke, the son of Tokugawa, who reveals his ambition to join the Yamato crew once he finishes his cadet training. At his graduation ceremony, Tasuke accidentally overturns a boat full of new cadets, as they were all captivated by the Yamato instead of concentrating on their own navigation. Despite initial difficulties during liftoff caused by the inexperienced engine crew inadvertently hitting the wrong switches and triggering a stall, the Yamato sets off on what was originally intended to be a routine training mission.

Twenty years after a devastating war reshaped the Earth, an elderly man and his spirited grandson Conan are the only ones left from their once-prosperous village. Certain they are the final humans alive, they are astonished to find an unconscious girl named Lana on the shore of their secluded island. When she wakes, Lana explains she was escaping agents from Industria, a fortress island of advanced technology. As the telepathic granddaughter of the famous scientist Dr. Briac Lao, Industria wants to use her abilities to locate her grandfather and exploit his expertise to unlock a immense energy source. Despite their efforts, Conan and his grandfather cannot stop Industrian forces from recapturing Lana. Unwavering, Conan sets off on a bold mission to save her, unaware of the dangerous trials lying ahead.

In the year 2052, Earth has finally achieved a state of lasting peace—until the arrival of the Death Force, a merciless alien race fleeing their own dying solar system in desperate search of a new home. They attack the planet using a gigantic satellite warship called Terror Star and begin terraforming Earth to suit their needs. Humanity's sole hope rests on Colin Collins and a small group of his fellow surviving students, who must crew a top-secret submersible vessel capable of battling the invaders both beneath the sea and in outer space. Note: The first episode is approximately 96 minutes long, rather than the usual 24-minute runtime. It was later split into four episodes for streaming, home video releases, and most Western dubs.

A remake of episodes 12-13 of the TV version.

After being rescued by the wise magician Merlin and raised by a retired knight, a 15-year-old Arthur proves his destiny by pulling the sacred sword Excalibur from its iron stand—a feat no other man had accomplished. This act reveals him as the rightful king of all Britain. However, to claim the throne, he must defeat Lavic, who is protected by the evil witch Medessa. Merlin instructs Arthur that he must locate the Holy Shield in order to overcome King Lavic and Medessa, and so Arthur sets out on a quest to find it. Along the way, he encounters four young knights—Lancelot, Perceval, Tristan, and Guerrehet—who share his noble ideals. Together, they journey from land to land in search of the Holy Shield, aiding common folk oppressed by corrupt aristocrats loyal to Lavic and defeating bandits along the way. Arthur and his companions press onward, driven by their ultimate goal: the restoration of the ideal kingdom of Logres.

Shortly after being born, a young squirrel arrives at a farm and is captured by a human. That human attempts to give the squirrel to their pet cat. However, the cat takes pity on the squirrel, adopting him as her own child and naming him Banner. Banner and the cat live happily together on the farm, but their joyful time is short-lived. A fire breaks out, destroying the farm, and Banner becomes separated from his mother, the cat.

In 2002, the Marine Express—the world's first submarine railway linking America and Japan—is set to embark on its inaugural journey. Fearing that the trial run could be exploited for malicious purposes, the chief engineer hires private detective Ban Shunsaku to investigate. When Shunsaku arrives at the engineer's home, he finds the man murdered and catches only a fleeting glimpse of the assailant. Boarding the Marine Express, Shunsaku begins his quest to solve the crime. But he quickly discovers that the mystery runs far deeper than he imagined, as the train harbors secrets beyond anything he anticipated.

In 19th-century France, the 15-year-old noblewoman Isabelle Laustin makes her formal entrance into aristocratic society at a ball in Versailles. However, shortly thereafter, the French army is defeated at Sedan, and Isabelle and her family must leave their mansion to seek refuge in Paris, where they will actively participate in the fight against the Prussians.

During the American Civil War, a Virginian girl named Jeanie waits for the return of Robert, her former love, so they can honor their childhood promise to marry. The conflict presents many difficulties, and Robert ultimately returns as a soldier for the Union. Only after the war ends and they face various misfortunes is their dream finally fulfilled.

In "Nutcracker Fantasy," Clara goes to see her Aunt Gerda and Uncle Drosselmeyer. Her aunt tells her frightening tales about the Ragman, a strange and spooky character who turns children into mice when they don't go to bed on time. This Ragman keeps a constant watch over sleeping youngsters, seeking new targets. Before Clara drifts off to sleep, her eccentric uncle gives her a wooden nutcracker doll. He feels a bit awkward because only the heart on the toy is perfect, but Clara adores the gift. As she falls asleep, she later wakes up to the noise of mice squeaking.

Animated adaptation of Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables".

This is the true account of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl living in Amsterdam during World War II. Anne's father recognizes the danger Jews face in time and conceals his family—his wife Edith and his two daughters Margot (16) and Anne (13)—along with four other people in "the house behind." For two years, the eight individuals live in darkness and whispers, terrified of being discovered and sent to the German crematoria. During that time, young Anne keeps a diary, recording daily life in the hiding place, her complicated relationship with her mother, and the story of her first love—Peter, the young boy also in hiding. Anne writes down her longing to run outside freely and breathe the air and flowers, her dreams of finally being free. Then they are discovered and all are sent to their deaths.

Eleven-year-old Julie Braun lives in the lush green mountain pastures of Austria's Southern Tyrol. Her parents are killed by Italian soldiers, and she is sent to Vienna to live with her relatives, the Clementes. She befriends cousins Johan and Tanya but has trouble adjusting to life with Uncle Karl and Aunt Klara. As Austria is plunged into World War I, Karl is fired from his job at a glass factory, and Julie's new family is forced into a life of hardship.

This amusing and endearing tale unfolds in the peculiar animal town of Himadabeya. One day, a locomotive train brings the bear family—Misha’s family—to this town. Because the town’s animals haven’t seen a train in a very long time, they gather to see who is arriving. Misha’s Papa, believing this crowd is there to welcome them, falls in love with the town and decides to settle down there. That is how the story begins. Misha’s family gradually adapts to life in the small town day by day, and Misha grows into a strong boy as part of this humorous community.

This release is a re-edited compilation combining episodes 13 and 14 of the TV series, and was screened in theaters alongside the Mirai Shounen Conan film.