The Legend of Snow White

The Legend of Snow White (白雪姫の伝説, Shirayuki Hime no Densetsu) is a 52-episode anime series co-produced by Japan's Tatsunoko Production and Italy's Mondo TV. Directed by Kunitoshi Okajima, it aired on NHK from 6 April 1994 to 29 March 1995. The show adapts the 1812 European fairy tale. Its opening theme, "Heart no mori e tsuretette," was performed by Miki Sakai with Red Dolphins, while the ending theme, "Folk Dance" (フォークダンス), was sung by Mebae Miyahara. The score was composed by Hiroki Kikuta, known for his work on video games. The story begins with the birth of a princess whose skin is white as snow, hair black as ebony, and lips red as roses. Her parents, the King and Queen of Emerald Valley, name her Snow White. On her fourth birthday, they give her three pets: a puppy, a cat, and a dove. Soon, Queen Isabelle falls ill and dies. King Conrad then marries Lady Chrystal, a woman who is evil, selfish, and ambitious, and who practices black sorcery. After the king departs, she makes life hard for Snow White, though Prince Richard occasionally cheers the princess. When the Evil Queen tries to kill Snow White out of jealousy over her beauty, the girl flees to a cottage inhabited by seven dwarfs. They befriend her and vow to protect her. Queen Chrystal attempts to kill Snow White multiple times: with a poisoned ribbon, an enchanted comb, and other methods, each time foiled by the dwarfs and their Book of Knowledge. On her final attempt, she finally succeeds to put her in an enchanted sleep - by means of a poisoned apple - in order to take over her body, for hers is aging rapidly due to use of sorcery against a pure soul. King Conrad, ruler of Emerald Valley, is heartbroken after his wife's death but agrees to her last wish that Snow White be raised by a mother. Queen Isabelle, the first queen consort, dies when Snow White is four, her dying wish being that her daughter have a new mother. Molly, Isabelle's personal maid and head of castle staff, cares for Snow White until she is banished from the castle after an unfortunate event. Snow White (voiced by Yuri Amano) is a kind-hearted princess who lives happily until war forces her father to leave her with her stepmother, who soon drives her away. Lady Chrystal (voiced by Mari Yokoo) rules a neighboring kingdom and marries King Conrad to raise Snow White.