The timeless tales of Anne Shirley, the spirited orphan from Green Gables, continue to captivate audiences across generations and formats. While Lucy Maud Montgomery’s original novels have inspired numerous beloved adaptations, a recent anime series, simply titled “Anne Shirley,” has brought a fresh perspective to her enduring journey. Fans are particularly buzzing about Episode 22, which delves into pivotal moments of love, friendship, and self-discovery.
“How Horrible it is That People Have to Grow Up, and Marry, and Change!”: A Deep Dive into Episode 22
Episode 22 of the new “Anne Shirley” anime series, titled “How Horrible it is That People Have to Grow Up, and Marry, and Change!”, explores a significant turning point in Anne’s young adult life. This episode focuses heavily on themes of romance, evolving relationships, and the bittersweet reality of growing up and facing life-altering decisions. It was released on Saturday, September 13, 2025.
Plot Highlights and Key Developments
The central event of Episode 22 is the wedding of Anne’s dearest friend, Diana Barry, to Fred Wright. Anne serves as a bridesmaid, while Gilbert Blythe is the best man. This joyous occasion, however, becomes a catalyst for Anne to confront her own complicated feelings and choices.
A significant subplot involves Anne’s current suitor, Royal Gardner (Roy), whom she accepted after rejecting Gilbert’s earlier marriage proposal. Despite Roy’s affectionate gestures, such as sending flowers and poems, Anne begins to realize she may have made a mistake in her heart. The wedding provides a poignant backdrop for Anne to reflect on her past and her genuine connection with Gilbert. The episode depicts Anne feeling a pang of jealousy over Gilbert’s bond with Christine, and she struggles with the feeling that she no longer quite fits in Avonlea in the way she once did. Gilbert, ever perceptive, advises her to find a new place to belong.
The episode powerfully portrays the emotional intensity of Diana and Anne’s friendship, with heartfelt expressions of love between the two. The setting of the wedding, surrounded by old friends, allows Anne and Gilbert to reconnect and engage in an intimate, heart-to-heart conversation, reminiscent of their earlier bond.
Release and Accessibility
“Anne Shirley” Episode 22 became available on September 13, 2025, adhering to its weekly release schedule. Viewers can stream the subtitled episode on platforms like Crunchyroll. The episode, roughly 24 minutes in length, is available with Japanese audio and multiple subtitle options including English, German, and Spanish.
Anne Shirley Across Adaptations: Why Episode 22 is Significant
The character of Anne Shirley has been depicted in numerous film and television adaptations over the decades. However, the concept of a specifically numbered “Episode 22” with such a detailed plot is not common across all series.
The 1979 Anime “Anne of Green Gables”
One prominent adaptation that features a large number of episodes is the 1979 Japanese anime series, Anne of Green Gables (Akage no An). This beloved series, produced by Nippon Animation as part of the World Masterpiece Theater, ran for 50 episodes. This makes it one of the few adaptations where an “Episode 22” would naturally occur within its numbering.
“Anne with an E” and Other Miniseries
Other popular adaptations, such as the CBC/Netflix series Anne with an E, consist of three seasons with 7, 10, and 10 episodes respectively, none of which reach a continuous “Episode 22”. Similarly, the iconic Kevin Sullivan miniseries, Anne of Green Gables (1985) and its sequels (Anne of Avonlea, Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story, Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning), are structured as miniseries with a limited number of longer episodes. The related series Road to Avonlea also does not center on Anne Shirley, though it features characters from her world.
The current discussion around “Anne Shirley – Episode 22” specifically points to the most recent anime adaptation, marking it as a distinct and eagerly followed chapter in the ongoing legacy of Anne Shirley’s story.
