Candy Candy has built a real following among viewers who do not usually seek out animation. The show says what it needs to say in a single season, no filler. A 9/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch it in order — the character development is cumulative. Put it on tonight and see for yourself.

There is a reason Candy Candy keeps coming up in conversation. Candy Candy has the visual identity that makes it immediately recognisable, and the writing to back it up. This story is about a girl, Candy, who is a orphan. She is a nice and optimistic girl and she has a warm heart. When she was a child, she lived in an orphanage called Pony's Home. Every line from Minori Matsushima and Makio Inoue lands with more craft than you'd expect. It was aired in 1976–1979. Candy Candy uses the freedom of animation to tell stories live-action could not attempt. Every minute repays the time invested, and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Candy Candy belongs on any best-of list regardless of format. Fans of Peach Girl: Super Pop Love Hurricane will recognise the sensibility here immediately. Short enough to finish in a weekend, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Minori Matsushima's voice work is a big part of what makes it distinctive. If you have been sleeping on it because of the format, the format is not the thing here.

Candy Candy wrapped up in 1979, created by Kyoko Mizuki — and 1 season is available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.