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Summary:

Emily Byrd Starr is an aspiring young writer. As a girl full of imagination, she finds joy in writing out stories of fantasy and reality, finding inspiration in just about every blessing of nature in the town she lives in. One can say that she’s having the springtime of her life, as she lives with her loving father, who supports her dreams with all his heart. “You are endowed with the gift of conveying your feelings into writing”, he tells Emily, and encourages her to continue expressing her feelings of joy and the splendor of living through writing. But little did Emily know that the day she will depart with her father was to come soon.

Knowing that he won’t have much time to live, Emily’s father tells her about her mother… that he and her mother shared a deep bond, and that’s what kept them together. But despite that, her mother’s family was strongly opposed to their relationship, since they came from the Murray family of high stature. Because of this, they were married in a small church, with just the two of them… and never caught a glimpse of her mother’s family after that. “But once I’m gone, they will surely come to pick you up”, he says, much to Emily’s surprise.

Young Emily could not accept the fact that her father will be leaving, and still believes that they will be together forever in their humble abode. “Be brave, Emily. You shouldn’t have any fears about [father] leaving [your side]. From now on, different paths [opportunities] will surely come your way. The world is full of love, and springtime is present wherever you may be”, he says to appease the crying Emily.

And that day finally came… the death of her father which left her heart in anguish. As expected, her mother’s family, the Murrays, arrives at their home. Most of them never uttered anything but insults on her father, as well as on Emily – criticizing her looks and behavior. That is, except for Jimmy and Laura, her mother’s cousin and sister, respectively. They start comparing Emily with their relatives, in terms of who she resembles and who she inherited her features from. This prompts her to tell them to stop comparing her with those people, since there’s only one Emily Byrd Starr in the world (telling them that she’s unique, and to see her as herself, not in comparison to others). While the other family members were displeased with this attitude she exhibited, Jimmy found it to be admirable of the young girl (and agrees with what she said). Another family member she gets to know of is her mother’s eldest sister, Elizabeth, and the one she seems to fear the most.

At her father’s funeral, Emily remembers the words from her father “Be strong Emily”, and gathers up the courage to face the new life that will await her. “I will not cry in front of them, or show them my weakness,” she tells herself. And her aunts and uncles notice how this young girl never shed a tear at her father’s funeral. Elizabeth simply kept silent as she observes Emily (which makes me think that she understands just why Emily acted that way).

After her father’s funeral, her uncles and aunts discuss the issue on who will be adopting her (and take her to New Moon)… and after a long discussion where no agreement was settled (and not to mention catching Emily eavesdropping on the conversation), it ends up being decided through a “raffle”, where Emily was to pick one among the pieces of paper with her aunts and uncles names on it, and whoever’s name appears on what she chooses will be the one to adopt her. Luck must not be on her side, as the one she dislikes the most (or the one whom she didn’t want to be adopted to the most), her aunt Elizabeth, was the one who ends up adopting her.

Elizabeth accepts this, and says that it is indeed her responsibility to teach Emily about proper manner and etiquette. Emily bids farewell to the land where she grew up in, especially to the wonders of nature she has grown attached to (and to whom she has also bestowed names to) – the trees she calls Kodoria (?) princess, the feigning Ondori-san, and Adam & Eve… Mr. squirrel, and Mrs. Wind. The last words from her father about having courage once again resound in her heart, and she holds her tears instead.

As they arrive at New Moon, her new home, she was amazed by its beautiful sight. Unbeknownst to Emily, her cat (which her aunt Elizabeth hates and fears) tags along with them, and already causes a commotion on her first day of arrival. As it struggles to run away, it breaks this precious vase in her aunt’s house. Her aunt Elizabeth hears this commotion and approaches the scene…. what awaits Emily in this new life? We just have to wait and see :3

Thoughts:

It’s been such a long time since I’ve watched a classical anime~ And this is sure a great watch! Unlike other classical stories in the past like Princess Sarah, or Remy, the heroine in this story (Emily), has a much much stronger personality than them. She has the guts to fight against her [arrogant] aunts and uncles, and has the courage to face this new life that awaits her. I’m surely gonna watch this every week~ (unless something goes terribly wrong :p)

Aunt Elizabeth could be seen as a Ms. Minchin (from Princess Sarah) type of character, and is quite influential too (though I don’t think she’ll be as harsh as Ms. Minchin). But with the personality Emily has shown, I’m sure she won’t afford to lose to her, and fight back if she’s being mistreated

It has much potential in terms of character build-up, especially how Emily will change the lives of the Murrays (and lead to her character development as well). ^-^

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