The 1975 anime A Dog of Flanders (Furandaasu no Inu) is one of those rare classics that tugs at every heartstring. Produced by Nippon Animation as part of the World Masterpiece Theater series, it retells the beloved 19th-century novel by Ouida, following Nello, a poor but kind-hearted boy in Belgium, and his loyal dog, Patrasche.
Their bond grows as Nello dreams of becoming an artist, facing hardship, poverty, and injustice with quiet courage. The show’s hand-painted landscapes and emotional storytelling turn simple scenes — like Nello sketching by candlelight — into moments of pure beauty.
While remembered for its famously tearful ending, A Dog of Flanders is more than tragedy — it’s a timeless portrait of love, art, and perseverance that defined a generation of classic animation.
