Little Prince Cedie is a 1988 Japanese anime series produced by Nippon Animation and was broadcast on the World Masterpiece Theater, an animation staple that showcased each year an animated version of a different classical book or story. The series is based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's book, Little Lord Fauntleroy.
Tropes associated with Little Prince Cedie:
- Adaptation Name Change: Cedie's father's name is changed from Cedric Senior to James.
- Adaptational Villainy: Minna, the pretender after the Earl of Dorincourt's fortune. While abandoning her son shortly after his birth and being a Gold Digger isn't a good look, she's much worse here. She's outright physically abusive to Tom, is implied to have kidnapped him for long enough to the point he doesn't recognize his father, and vaguely threatens Cedie's safety unless she's allowed to see the Earl.
- Adorably Precocious Child: Cedie is surprisingly capable of introspective thoughts and even sense of wisdom for a boy his age. Lending an ear to his simple, but profound advice is what prompts the Earl to gradually change from his bitter outlook on life.
- All-Loving Hero: Though he's not afraid to call bad people out on their behavior, Cedie never bears any grudge or ill-will towards anybody who've wronged him or his friends and loved ones.
- Alpha Bitch: Bridgett starts out as one (largely thanks to her mother's horrible upbringing). A bully and a tormentor, Cedie's patience eventually leads to her Heel Realization and she ends up joining his circle of friends... with a hint of Puppy Love between them.
- Aristocrats Are Evil: Cedie's grandfather at first. He's verbally abusive towards everyone (especially the servants), cut off his son's inheritance just because he chose to marry a commoner woman, and an overall abrasive individual. But then, he mellows out later after his grandson comes to his life.
- Blue Blood: Cedie. He is the grandson of the Earl of Dorincourt.
- Deceased Parents Are the Best: James was a devoted, loving father throughout the short time he was allowed to have with his son before heart disease ultimately claimed him. So is Annie, but thankfully, she's spared from the same fate.
- Disappeared Dad: Averted in this version, for it showed him alive until the plot kicks in where he did die.
- Dude Looks Like a Lady: If not for his name, you'd be forgiven if you thought even for a moment that this sweet, golden-haired child was female. Granted, this was pretty much standard among aristocratic boys of Cedie's time...
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: After Character Development kicks in, Cedie's grandfather settles into this. He would still have temper tantrums every now and then, but the worst of his qualities (e.g. abusive & judgmental nature, resentment towards his daughter-in-law, Annie) eventually fade away.
- Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: Little Cedie's kindness is as pure as his bright, golden locks.
- Live-Action Adaptation: Star Cinema of the Philippines has made a live action version of this adaptation starring several of the astounding stars of its time.
- Light Feminine and Dark Feminine: Annie (light brown hair and pale blue/lilac dress) and Minna (black hair, red dress)
- Locked Out of the Loop: Annie tells Mr. Haversham that she doesn't want Cedie to go to England. Cedie happened to come home late that day due to working to get some extra money, leaving poor Annie to believe that Haversham kidnapped Cedie.
- Loyal Animal Companion: Dougal, a Great Dane who becomes close to Cedie once he gets to Dorincourt.
- Masculine Girl, Feminine Boy: One of Cedie's friends in New York, Catherine, is a Tomboy with a "go getter" attitude — a nice contrast to his more reserved, sensitive personality.
- Named by the Adaptation: Mrs. Errol is given the name Annie here, possibly as a reference to the song "Annie Laurie", which often plays in the show as an instrumental piece.
- Nice Guy: Cedie's father, James, was renowned for his kind, down-to-earth nature despite being born to wealthy parents — a trait he shares with his son.
- Riches to Rags: When James and Annie married, they didn't have much to live off of due to James being disowned, but they're reasonably comfortable.
- Textile Work Is Feminine: Annie made all of Cedie's clothes. She later works from home as a seamstress after James' death.
- Ungrateful Bitch: The woman that Annie spent three days making a party dress for. When presented with it, the woman said it looked ugly and refused to buy it, despite not giving Annie any direction on how she wanted it to look. She's so cruel to Annie, Cedie calls her a cruel old hag.
