The Dog of Flanders - The Saddest Anime Ever Made

I own nothing besides my voice and opinions. Also, thank you so much for 100 subscribers!

[@GR33NY]

Side note: Anime Re:Zero references this in the fact that Subaru's ringtone is the theme song of The Dog of Flanders and he even names his ground dragon Patrasche! Don't think it's a coincidence...

[@nephuneph]

Also, in Re:Zero memory snow. Subaru's alarm is going off to wake him up and you see what he's dreaming. You see 4 little Roswaal angels lifting him out of his bed. Just now realized it is a reference to the end of The Dog of Flanders.

[@sow2673]

I'm thirteen now and still have my ways to go in life, but watching dog of Flanders when I was 8 (thanks to my father) has truly changed me and made me who I am today. Love this movie!!!

[@sarabosnjak4942]

👍❤

[@forgottenmma3694]

This movie is powerful. But overall accurate on how good people are treated in this world.

[@dude8273]

good and poor. i agree.

[@ranko.5930]

crazy how almost no one in Flanders, and the city of Antwerp, know this story and anime. Even though there is a statue in front of the cathedral of The pair.

[@ywee3980]

I believe no one claimed the story. Belgium said that the story takes place in the Netherlands because certain elements are more Dutch than Flemish. In the TV-series the girl is wearing traditional clothes that resembles the traditional clothes of North-Holland. In the Netherlands they say that the story takes obviously place in Belgium. They story itself was written by a British woman who lived in Flanders for a short period of time.

[@dannydevito4184]

I don't know if you read the comments but fun fact: This story is basically unknown in Flanders! No one knows about it except for maybe some weebs. They recently put up 2 statues depicting Nello and Patrache in Antwerp (where the story takes place) for the Asian tourists (you know to lure them in like some sort of tourist trap). They were even upfront about it, saying it was for the asian tourists. Belgians themselves didn't know why the statues where there, what they were representing. I just thought that was a fun fact.

[@rahulmitra91]

One of the best anime I have ever seen. This will remain with me forever

[@bowloflentils]

I remember seeing this for the first time years ago and was shocked by the ending. I kept waiting for the film to take everything back, and for the boy to actually be okay, but it never does. Can't believe the English version was advertised along with Pokemon back in the day. I never saw the dubbed version but I wonder if the ending was changed for the English release but I can't imagine they left that ending intact.

[@radicalreptyl9190]

Nope he dies in the English version as well. To my knowledge the dub is pretty accurate.

[@bowloflentils]

@@radicalreptyl9190 Wow, that is pretty surprising.

[@Zorocanify]

The English dub is really good!

[@Matt-xs7ih]

i just finish the 52 episodes animes ( In my opinion better than the movie ) but the final made me cry .

[@mauriceghanem5533]

Where can I find the series?

[@davidresendiz7989]

@@mauriceghanem5533 yes where?

[@isaacsamuel7517]

More sad than grave of the fire flies... I am amazed

[@radicalreptyl9190]

That's a tough call. Both are definitely emotional roller coasters lol

[@idkwhatmynameshouldbe3219]

This broke me so hard, this film is a masterpiece ill die on the cross on that statement.

[@my23bear]

Fun Fact: this movie's intro was sampled in an rpg maker gamed called "Yume 2kki".

[@UnexpectedAmy]

Such a brutal movie. The second Act sets up for a whole bunch of obstacles to overcome, but they never are...it's just death for Melo. So brutal. Poor Melo :( A movie I could only recommend to my enemies.

[@CatholicK5357]

I feel differently. The obstacles are overcome. The theme is that he remained innocent and grew in virtue when tested, and was unwilling to compromise even if it meant death. He was also so charitable that he cared more about helping his friend's family than his own life. At the end, the story connects the child's life to Christ through the paintings. Since we all die, we should remain true regardless of when death comes. He did so and died content with a bunch of people who cared about him changing their lives as an outcome. There is also a saying that only the good die young. I don't think it is entirely true, but there is an essence of truth to it. Many good people do die young, and sometimes that is for the best rather than to be in a world that would prefer to see them grow old and bitter.

[@kevinxing]

What you say does have truth to it. I've gotten old and bitter, but this movie has opened my eyes a bit and I dont think its too late to do some good before we leave this earth.@@CatholicK5357

[@Do0mality]

I owned this film when I was a kid. I might've asked for it after seeing the commercial somewhere - it might've been on a Pokemon tape, but I don't remember owning one of those lol Anyway, I believe I watched this with my mom and she found it very sad. I think I was too young to really understand the emotional impact that it had. I have a false memory of Nello and Patrasche's souls leaving their bodies and the angels taking them to heaven. I was surprised that it didn't actually show it - it's only implied. I just re-watched the film now for the first time in probably 20 years and I'm watching your vid as a recap. This movie deserves more recognition. It needs to be remastered on blu-ray! Even though it's very sad, it's an underappreciated masterpiece in my opinion.

[@davidresendiz7989]

you probably saw the 1970's film. In that film the boy and dog are seen taken to heaven. I personally think this is better, for you left wondering what happened until the end.

[@CatholicK5357]

It is bittersweet. The tears are sad but also joyful because he died content. He would rather die than compromise his virtue which is why the story connected his end to the Passion of Christ, suggesting that God would approve and was happy to take Him home to Heaven.

[@Kunnoc]

This anime Opening is so good that lead a guy to fight a flying whale. "If it's too hard for you to walk alone. I will hold you up. As we walk, we will share the burden and support eachother Show me the dashing side of you, Subaru-kun" Try watching Re:Zero you won't regret And try to spot the dog of flanders opening easteregg in that anime

[@estongbigboy6702]

This story is really sad.. until now when i remember the ending of the anime version it still breaks my heart 💔

[@tonybarde2572]

Legend says that the ghosts of Nello and Patrasche still haunt Antwerp Cathedral. They are seen every Christmas Eve standing near the painting where they died. If they are approached, they will vanish. PS: I am going to Cosplay Nello. Do you have any advice?

[@captainpancake8177]

What happened when you went

[@tonybarde2572]

@@captainpancake8177 Nothing really, I did though cosplay Nello and sing to a group of Japanese tourists Here is what I sang: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIHco3umd62dbJY

[@tonybarde2572]

@@captainpancake8177I didn’t find any ghosts 😢

[@JustUsCrazyBoyz]

EMOTIONAL DAMAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jimmyrcg4966]

Dug up my pokemon tapes today after my sister found me a vcr at a thrift shop Saw the trailer and was flooded with nostalgia and wondered what people had to say about this movie Definitely gonna have to check it out!

[@walangchahangyelingden8252]

I watched it about 3 months ago, because of your video. I think the depiction of not having a happy ending was great, even though I don't believe in any religion, it was a powerful scene. The protagonist not winning the competition was very realistic as the quality of a thing is never appreciated but how flashy and technical something looks is. The friendship of the two characters is very realistic, and the trauma of the dog is very scary and intense.

[@kevinxing]

I just watched this movie. It also left me teary eyed. I hope this isnt a true story as I hate to know such a pure soul suffered.

[@moli2454]

“Remi, nobody’s boy” is god knows how old but it’s so so so damn sad and I somehow watched the Spanish dub which seems to be the only one available so please check it out if you have time seeing and almost nobody even remembers it

[@shallowgod5539]

This movie ruined my life. I watched Dog of Flanders as a little kid where the kind, young, and virtuous protagonists just straight up dies for no good reason. The stories you consume as a kid can really mess you up. I think it's shit like that made me think there's no such thing as justice and goodness in the world. Were unfortunate little boys just die in the cold just because they're poor and the world doesn't care about suffering or talent or piety. How could a child see these stories and be hopeful?

[@shallowgod5539]

Just to to follow up, I did bawl my eyes out for over an hour when I watched it and I refused to let my brother watch it. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful movie that has a special place in my heart

[@davidresendiz7989]

I think you are missing the most powerful scene, where the angels take them to heaven. Yes there are injustice in this world until the end of days, but at the end God makes things right. That is not my opinion, that is straight from the film. There is always hope in doing what is right. My kid learned a lot from it.

[@shallowgod5539]

@@davidresendiz7989 Don't get me wrong, I loved this movie, but even today I can't agree that a young artist dying like that is some how rectified by the notion of heaven. Death in vain, ultimately, is tragic-regardless of that person's piety. Even as a Catholic it's the human condition to see finality of dying

[@davidresendiz7989]

@@shallowgod5539 Read the parable of Lazarus and the rich man.

[@forgottenmma3694]

Hopefully you learn to take that message and treat people well?

[@MK-qh9iv]

I grew up watching this in Tokyo when I was child. So sad then and so sad now even watching this anime in US

[@KGBeast.]

Saw the movie the other day very heartbreaking ending

[@kasumaasuma]

The 1992 series was lot heavy in its final part

[@victorvickyvillasenor]

I ❤ This Anime Since I Wuz A Kid! But what about this? What if in an alternate ending. The ending when nello died by opening a 2 the world of NARUTO🗻.

[@RealLifeIronMan]

Though not credited in the film adaptation, Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki (the main men behind Studio Ghibli) worked on the 1975 series. Though most of their work was uncredited the "Ghibli" art style and aesthetics from the series still carry over to the movie.

[@BurnRoddy]

You need to watch the Anime series that inspired these classics.

[@thomasmuller1850]

Anyone remember the grotesque versions, the Slave dog of franders, from Dokuro Chan?

[@georgiibeliachkov1182]

Fully agree! Great movie!

[@istoppedcaring6209]

the dog of flanders is especially good regarding how it depicts Flemish period dress and environment, even using the dutch version of a painting competition instead of japanese or english

[@ywee3980]

To be honest , a lot of Flemish thought it resembled the Netherlands more than Flanders. For example the dress of the girl looks more like a North(or South I am not an expert on traditional Dutch period clothes) Holland dress. At least they used Dutch instead of French

[@istoppedcaring6209]

​@@ywee3980 these clothes were worn in Flanders at the time actually, they are now more known for the Dutch wearing them in the past but the clothing is accurate, they did their homework

[@elcidgaming]

watched the 1992 version as it was televised in tagalog as a kid. It really likes to pour salt on the wound and rub it hard In that version one of the judges came and informed everyone that Nello should have won the contest

[@nathanielduncan4692]

I unfortunately can’t find 1992 tv anime series online.

[@opsskeri1272]

I didn't see the whole movie yet, just this but it already got me into tears!

[@joshuaarmijo5213]

I would like to get a novel book of this

[@bolbans]

Lol...

[@joshuaarmijo5213]

@@bolbans why not?

[@roelantverhoeven371]

funny how this film did the same for antwerp cathedral as "hunchback of notre dame" did for the Paris cathedral. both books were written in the 1800's and were rather dark stories, but with a pedestal to art and architecture... Quida was very negative about Belgians, I got to say it sounded rich coming from a brit... england was not a paradise for animals and poor people either in the 1870's, and her remark that flemish are all illiterate because they didn't speak french (what a logic) XD the book sure IS NOT popular here! we on average all speak 3 languages (including Dutch and french), and have done so for centuries, many also know german (I'd dare to say Luxembourgians and Belgians are the most quadrilingual peoples in the entire world)... but it did gain attention for the cathedral and the art of rubens for which she should be applauded, also for being a genuine animal lover in the 1800's.

[@crazy3d]

Radical Reptyl sounds like Radical Lefty.

[@kevinlucero2817]

I would love if they could make another remake adaptation with a more happier ending 😭

[@crazy3d]

Defeats the purpose of the anime. Happy endings are everywhere. But I do understand the feeling. I wanted moar.

[@YowLife]

I disagree with the notion that this is a "sad" movie. Sadness is a feeling we get when we understand why something happened, yet we wish it didn't. This movie has an ending that cannot be understood, and it makes you wish it didn't happen. This feeling is depression, which is not good. The dog of Flanders is not a sad movie at all, it is a depressing movie. Some day, I will remake this exact version with a much better ending.

[@walangchahangyelingden8252]

Bro, this is not Charlie and the chocolate factory. It is very depressing but you have to respect the decision of the original author.

[@istoppedcaring6209]

the book was meant as a criticism of the use of dogs as beasts of burden in Flanders, the author was only in flanders for a couple days, only one of those in Antwerp It is perhaps fair though, The people that live here were treated as second class during the 19th and early 20th century,(linguistic oppression by the french minority, largely because the brittish basically gave the country to the French speaking minority) the people were hard and practical, dogs pulled carts, caught vermin and ran in butter churning wheels, when they were old and unable to do this, they were fattened up and then killed for their fat, which was used for the same purposes as vasaline, a few centuries prior their skin was also used for putting ink on presses. this stood in stark contrast to the large beautifull pieces of art and impressive gothic architecture of one of the worlds most prominent trade centers at that time and to this day (hence the part about Rubens, which Ouida was inspired by) This shocked ouida, who' is famous for feeding her dogs even when she had nothing left for herself, her grave showing this perfectly, so the movie is depressing because the book is meant to be depressing, it was likely one of the first animal rights inspired books, this in turn was liked by Japanese audiences, there the idea of a noble life and death are far more prominent, Nello lived a life of honor and his death was honorable, for western audiences we like it when there is a sort of karma, in an early American movie Nello actually does win because someone with authority calls out the fraud, a happy ending, even this movie posed the question of whether or not they should let it end so sadly, but even the western financiers said to do it to stay true to the story hachigo is likely inspired by the book as well

[@walangchahangyelingden8252]

@@istoppedcaring6209 I saw that ending actually. Pretty bad.

[@istoppedcaring6209]

perhaps it is depressing, but so is life sometimes, depression in my language is neerslachtigheid, basically a feeling of being defeated, the way i see it, we benefit from the notion that even if we don't get any rewards for it, we should always strive to be good people, like Nello

[@YowLife]

@@istoppedcaring6209 I'm not sure what language you are referring to, but Depression and Defeated are 2 different things in English. Depression is the feeling of dejection, as if nothing you do matters. Defeated means you were bested by someone or something else in a fair way. Now in the end of A Dog of Flanders, everyone forgets Nello existed except his girlfriend who became a nun so no man could have her. Maybe it could have been seen as Alois deciding to help others as Nello tried before, but doing so by becoming a Sunday School teacher is not very meaningful. Even if it was, the film never addresses this as the reason, so it's a mute point. There's a saying 'Having a message doesn't make a film good. What matters is how the film uses that message to create a fulfilling story." How about this? There could be an updated version where the viewer chooses the depressing original ending where Nello dies or the new uplifting one where Nello lives. Just like what they did with batman Death in the Family.