From the Northern Country

Narrated by the son, Jun, the tale follows the lives of two children torn between their parents and their parents' divorce. Jun, and his sister Hotaru, grow and mature - willingly and sometimes forcibly - in the harsh climates of Hokkaido, learning the ways of life through their interaction with the folk of Furano.

Directed by —, From the Northern Country leans on a strong ensemble — Kunie Tanaka, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Tomoko Nakajima — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about family titles of 1981.