Thursday 24 August 2017

Candy Candy the Final Story: the Real Happy Ending

Terence G. Granchester and Candy White Ardlay (art by Yumiko Igarashi)

Created by Kyoko Mizuki and drawn by Yumiko Igarashi, Candy Candy was my first anime, if not the second, after Lulu the Flower Princess. That was way back in the mid 1980s when I was about 9-10 years old, when all mangas and animes were innocent and non-exploitative…

I love Candy for her exuberant character, despite all the hardship she had to endure as an orphan in Indiana USA. I thought that Candy would be forever with Anthony Brown, the sweetheart she met during her trying days at the Lagan House. Yet, I never finished her story, for somehow my VHS/Beta rental store stopped supplying her stories. Then when I was already in college, this was already 1992 onwards, I started reading Candy Candy manga from cover-to-cover, all the nine volumes. I remember the days when I went to Gramedia just to buy the next CC instalment. I returned to her early days in Pony Home, her beautiful days with Anthony Brown, Alistair Cornwell and Archibald Cornwell, her broken heart when [SPOILERS] Anthony died… and then my heart beat when she met Terence Granchester. Terry, the naughty yet broken boy who made her laugh again (but not before forcing her to face her nightmares about Anthony).

Then, as I reached for Volume 7, I cried my heart out when she and Terry broke up. Not because they grew out of love… but because Candy chose to leave Terry to Susanna Marlowe, a girl who rescued Terry during an accident. My heart broke when Candy left Susanna’s hospital in a snow blizzard, as Terry tried to stop her from leaving…




The rest of the story gave me little happiness, particularly when [SPOILERS AGAIN] Stair died during World War I. My heart cried with Candy and Patty O’Brien (Stair’s girlfriend), and I thought of just ending the book right there. I was somewhat glad I kept reading, for eventually Candy found her happy ending in the form of William Albert Ardlay (earlier romanisations would write his name as “Aubrey”, which sounds right to me). Albert had always been Candy’s secret benefactor, protector, and father/brother figure. It turned out then… that Albert was the “Prince on the Hill” whom Candy met during Volume I of the story. A good ending, right? Candy was reunited with Albert, and no doubt that they would get married eventually.

Well… yeah, but just because I want Candy to be happy, for she indeed deserved happiness after all those abuses and heart breaks. But truth be told, I always thought that Candy should be with Terry. Alas… it wasn’t meant to be… Thus I never re-read Candy Candy anymore. Too painful... 




Terry holding Candy for the last time, art by Yumiko Igarashi


That is, until three days ago, a fateful Tuesday night when I out of the blue Googled Candy Candy. I never revisited Candy Candy anymore, for I had never been able to free myself from the pain of Candy-Terry separation. Thus… three nights ago, it was with glee, sweetness, and actually a LOT of tears that I learned that Candy actually did end up with Terry. They indeed got married and lived a beautiful life together…

Eh, wait, how exactly it happened, you said? You who also watched and read Candy Candy with me, you who also threw the manga to the corner of the room because you couldn’t stand Terry-Candy break up? (If you haven’t read the manga because you’re not from the glorious 70s-80s gen, read e.g. Koala’s Playground summary of CC).

Well, after examining loads of internet conversations, I have come to the conclusion that Kyoko Mizuki, or shall I say Nagita Keiko-sensei (that’s her real name) had always wanted to end Candy Candy with a reconciliation between Candy and Terry. This was way back in the mid 1970s (CC was first published in April 1975, a year after I was born!). But it seems that her then-illustrator (Yumiko Igarashi) and also Toei Animation (the company who produced the anime) wanted it otherwise, hence the Candy-Terry break up became permanent in the manga and anime in general. Exception was made for the Italian version of the anime (surely with Toei’s approval?), that Terry and Candy eventually reconciled after Terry left Susanna. I didn’t know this until three nights ago.

Also unbeknownst to me, between 1998 and 2001, three lawsuits appeared between Nagita Keiko and Yumiko Igarashi (CC’s illustrator), because the latter wanted to publish CC stories without the approval of Keiko (the original author). The court later confirmed that Keiko indeed had 50% copyright of the character. Being the original author, Keiko also had the rights to publish a Candy Candy novel without the involvement of Yumiko or Toei.  

Hence, on 1 November 2010, a good nine years after the end of the lawsuit battle with her former illustrator, Nagita Keiko-sensei published the novelisation of Candy Candy and called it “Candy Candy the Final Story”. Unlike the manga version, Candy Candy the Final Story novel has a prologue (unofficially translated by Self Taught Japanese), where a 30 years old Candy was reminiscing her old life from her new home in England. Candy wrote in her prologue letter that she wanted to visit the Pony Home, but she also knew that her husband wanted her to always be by his side. The novel also has an epilogue, and in between the prologue and the epilogue, we can find a third person narration of Candy's life just as depicted in the manga and anime. Along with the narration, we can also read letters written by Candy or for Candy. Many, if not most, letters were written between Candy and Albert (which, I suppose, made Albert-Candy shippers considered those letters as love letters), but there are letters from and to Candy’s other friends too.  Many letters, such as the letter from Albert to Candy, explained how the 17 years old Albert met the six years old Candy at the Pony Hill. A sweet letter from Candy to the deceased Stair (Alistair) shows how important Alistair Cornwell still was for Candy, after all these years...


Art by Yumiko Igarashi


Although the novel followed closely the manga and anime versions, the novel also contained some essential additions, which basically rewrote the Candy-Terry romance. The first essential addition was Candy’s letter to Terry, written a few years after their break up, but never sent. The letter basically admitted how much she still cared for him.

(Edit 28 August 2017: thanks to Lady Gato, I noticed that Candy actually also wrote an unsent letter to Terry in the 1978/9 novel, but the tone of that letter was vastly different from her unsent letter to Terry in the CCFS 2010; hence I still think that Candy's unsent letter to Terry in the 2010 novel is very important). 

The second essential addition was news that Susanna Marlowe died, and in the obituary Candy read that Susanna and Terry were never married. They were indeed engaged, but they were never married. The third (most) essential addition was Terry’s letter to Candy, basically admitted that everything remained the same (i.e. he still loved Candy) and that he wanted to renew their friendship.

art by Yumiko Igarashi


The novel’s epilogue showed Candy returning from her reminiscent to find her husband (“Anohito” – “that person” or “he/him”) returning home. Anohito entered the living room (which contained books on Shakespeares and medical matters), Candy rose from her chair and hugged him.

Now, who is this Anohito? Who is Candy's beloved husband?

I believe that Anohito is Terry, for many reasons. Three important additions (Candy’s unsent letter to Terry post-break up, Susanna’s death, and Terry’s letter to Candy post Susanna’s death) are just too crucial to insert without any consequences. Scottie had made a very good and long review of why Terence Graham Granchester is Anohito. Read her post; it’s worthwhile, though I spent more than an hour reading it. However, the most practical reason that made me think Anohito as Terry is simply this:

Why would Nagita Keiko-sensei revise CC into a novel if she didn't want to change something? Writing a novelisation of Candy Candy is a BIG and PAINFUL work, you know, particularly after the lawsuits. Nagita-sensei did say that she wanted to write the ending as she always wanted it to be (“My heart is seems to be still flying. But I could really say good bye to this matter. This is the real final to me”). So... with all the pain and fuss of revising a story, since the manga version ends with Candy meeting Albert anyway, it doesn't make sense if the Anohito is still Albert. My sentiment apparently echoes Ana Luisa Aldana's sentiment written on 14 April 2012 on Bequi's interpretation:

Despite your extensive essay placed here, I do not get a sense that you considered or explored the motivations of the author to publish this Final Story. In my opinion, of the story she wanted to truly tell was the one presented to us, then in my opinion she really had no need to...yet she still did. Why? If in fact she truly always had Albert in mind for Candy then the story was told to her satisfaction, no need to indulge in this sort of Final Story-telling.

Motivation is a very important thing to rewrite a big saga like Candy Candy. Anyone who has ever written a book, a thesis, or even a long fan-fiction know how taxing an act of rewriting a book can be. If  it ain't not broken, why fix it? If there's no desire to change the end of the book, why rewrite it??

After all, this is what Nagita-sensei wrote in her message board to her fans:


"About the novel version Candy... I know it's so late to let you know about this. (It was scheduled to be published this May), but finally I had the first draft checked. It's already beautifully-bound, but It was much harder work than I thought to rewrite the whole content. Maybe the reason why I stopped working on it sometimes is because I had often recalled some painful memories. Despite that, the more I rewrite, the more I could leave the manga and past memories, then got the new world. But I also felt that manga readers might not like the new world. Anyway, now, all the painful memories have evaporated. Finally, I got really refreshed. It will be divided into 2 volumes. I took the style that Candy in her 30's recalls her memory and could face anew each character. That was a blissful time. I'll let you know again after the date of issue will be decided."
(July 29, 2010, translated by Tarzan Freckles)

"About Candy Candy final story—

I've finished checking the galley of the postface today. Now, I ended my role in this project. I wanted to tell all of you about the release date as soon as we decided it... I'm sorry.... A certain issue depressed me so much, so I couldn't post here for a while. (I put the detail of this issue on my homepage: 
http://nagitakeiko.com/) I felt like Candy and other characters were stained and then I felt terrible. However, when I looked at the cover and belly band, I'm satisfied that I hung on to the end. It will be published on Oct. 28. The price is 1,680 yen (about 21 USD) each. It has 2 volumes. It's expensive, isn't it? When I was offered first, it was planned as a , so I thought I . That's why I decided. It was getting more lavish before I knew it. But If Hat-chan looks at the front page filled with roses, I wondered if she would want to draw it and what Rose-san will say about it... While imagining such things, I got more excited. As Shoko-ooobasama imagines, this work was really hard... But I'm happy everyone is glad... As I say repeatedly, this novel . It's the novel I rewrote thoroughly. Despite that, the new novel has 300 pages more than the old one, and Candy in her 30's looks back at her memories. Therefore, the editor says kindly it's the newly-written novel... But the content is the same as old one. So, please don't expect too much. It really took much time. My heart seems to be still flying. But I could really say good-bye to this matter. This is the real final to me. I want to take a deep breath after this novel will be published. What a long journey this was!... I'm recalling those who kindly keep on supporting me since this matter happened. Thank you. I'll be pretty nervous until the release date. May this novel give you all joy..."
(October 14, 2010, translated by Tarzan Freckles)



CC the Final Story was a true final story for Nagita Keiko/Kyoko Mizuki. It means that the original manga, written more than 30 years ago, did not end the way she truly wanted it to end. She doubted if the manga readers would like the new book ("But I also felt that manga readers might not like the new world"). It can be because the novel was now written in a different format (with dates purposely hidden)... but it can also be because she drastically altered the result/conclusion of the new book.

As for me... Much as I love Albert, my heart never flutters for him. Don't get me wrong. I do love Albert. I think he's an adorable individual, almost too good to be true. His presence in Candy's life is of utmost importance to her, and I will not discount his importance because I don't see Albert-Candy as a pair.

Yet to me, Candy-Albert is like siblings, while Terry sparks her fire more...Anyway. I just realised that of course, just as Candy-Terry shippers exist, Candy-Albert shippers also exist. Candy-Albert shippers had the point: Terry was a broken man who might not make Candy happy. What they overlooked was that Terry was broken not because he was a spoilt child, but because he was an abandoned and lonely child. He wasn’t bad from the start… and Candy actually helped him to become a better man. Surely Terry had to do his homework first before he became worthy of Candy – and boy, did he do his homework! He rose to stardom without his dad’s money, he abandoned alcohol because he wanted to be worthy of Candy… and he even waited for more than 1.5 years before contacting Candy after Susanna’s death because 1) he wanted to respect Susanna’s memory, and 2) he wanted to heal himself first. Now do tell me that Terry is not worthy of Candy, and I will remind you not to cast the first stone.

While I did accept the Candy-Albert possibility, I accepted them just because I wanted Candy to be happy. However, the fact that I never revisited Candy Candy signifies my own reluctance to accept that ending. I could just not move on from Candy-Terry…just as Candy herself (or Nagita-Sensei actually) later wrote in Candy's unsent letter to Terry (which was written some time after she learned that Albert was, after all, Uncle William):
"Still today, I jealously conserve all your letters, but I cannot read them again."

"your letters" here refer to Terry's old letters he sent to Candy before they broke up in New York.

People who have moved on can look back to the past and smile at the past. Candy still could not do that, even after those years. Even after she learned that Albert was Uncle William (which meant, it was dated after the end in the manga), she still could not read Terry's old letters to her. Tell me that it means that Candy had let go... and I tell you straight to your eyes: No, this is not what letting go is.

Candy watching Terry's King Lear (art by Yumiko Igarashi)


It seems, Nagita-sensei was like that too. Until she wrote and finish The Final Story.

It seems The Final Story was a catharsis for Nagita-sensei to close this chapter of her life for good, and I can understand that. Watching your creation ending not so in the way you wanted, plus having lawsuits afterwards about your creation, are very painful. Nagita-sensei needed this novel just as we need it. For that, I thank her tremendously.

Anyway, if any of you is interested to read the fan-fiction of how Candy was reunited with Terry (after she received her letter), read “The Season of Daffodils” by Josephine Hymes. I have to say, this authoress is truly skilful in making me believing that Candy’s stories were indeed set at the dawn and dusk of World War I, and the years before World War II. Josephine wrote poignantly of the Twenties fashion style and political issues. Using the language of Downtown Abbey, she expanded the Granchester-Baker story (Eleanor Baker was Terry’s biological mother; I adore her exceedingly), and she even hinted on the possibility of Candy being biologically related to Albert and Anthony (my thought is that Candy was the sister of Anthony, just because she looked very much like his mother – but nothing more was written on this front). There were passages that required editing, but writing 351 pages is tiring enough, hence I put no blame on Josephine. Instead, I thank her (and Keiko Nagita of course!) from the deepest part of my heart, for making the 10 years old me, the 20ish years old me and the 43 years old me happy again.



Post script 29 July 2017

I have been listening to Horie Mitsuki's Candy Candy songs since the last few days since I found CC the Final Story. I realised again that, but for the opening themes (Candy Candy, written by Nagita Keiko), almost all CC songs referred to or hinted at Albert as Candy's sweetheart. It is of course in line with Toei's (and I think Yumiko Igarashi's) intention of pairing up Albert and Candy.  Thus, I can understand why Candy-Albert fans are reluctant to accept the possibility of Candy-Terry pairing in the Final Story. 



Take "Ashita ga suki" ("I love tomorrow"), the ending theme of CC (the original anime) for example, beautifully composed by Nagita Keiko herself and elegantly delivered by Horie Mitsuko. The whole the settings on the hill and the greeneries gave hints of the meetings between Candy and Albert, although Candy and Terry also shared green hills in St Paul and Scotland. But the nail in the coffin for Candy-Terry fans in the anime is this song:




"Akogare no Hito" (My Beloved) definitely refers to Albert, if not Anthony, for the song talks about a blond prince with bagpipes. There's no room for Terry there, and that's fine. That's what was agreed between Nagita Keiko, Yumiko Igarashi, and - later - Toei Animation. Note that Wikipedia does not mention Nagita as the composer of this song (Wikipedia can be wrong, but I need to see the document that Nagita did write this song).

But then came CC The Final Story, and I can look back at these songs with a smile in my heart.

There is no way the Anohito in the Final Story is Albert. No way. If he was Albert, he wouldn't migrate to England with Candy, taking her so far away from the Pony Home and Indiana... Plus, Albert's financial kingdom is mostly in the US, and with another war looming in Europe (WW II this time), it makes no sense for Albert to bring his beloved (if he indeed considered Candy as a woman, not as a sister) to a dangerous place like England. Bequi and other Candy-Albert shippers have suggested that the love between Candy-Albert was scandalous at that time (because Albert was Candy's adopted father), hence Albert had to take Candy away to England to marry her and to live with her.

Does not make sense. I agree with Scottie: If Albert loved Candy that way, and in time she loved him like that in return, he would cancel her adoption, freeing them to get married. Albert adopted Candy without anyone's consent; he did not need anyone's consent either if he wanted to marry her. He had to cancel out the adoption first, but that can be done. The legal link between him and Candy can be easily canceled out, unlike if he was Candy's blood brother or biological father.

On the other hand, it makes perfect sense for Terry to bring his bride to England, for he was British anyway, and he loved Shakespeare. Purchasing a painting of Pony Home (painted by Slim, a former Pony resident) for Candy makes sense, because the painting connects Candy to her beloved Pony Home. Having Shakespeare and medical books in Candy's England living room makes sense if she shared her life with Terry, for Terry was a Shakespearean actor (with Albert, the books would be, as Josephine Hymes pointed out in her excellent fan fiction, of travels and faraway places like Africa and Australia). Plus, as Scottie pointed out, Candy was reluctant to return to Pony Home because she knew her beloved needed her by his side.
“Thanks to Great Uncle William, it was possible to obtain the land of Mr. Cartwright. And Pony’s Home is full of orphans as usual. I would like to be of more help to the teachers, but right now —- I do not want to leave HIM whom, above all, wants me by his side all the time. “Vol I. p. 230-235, Candy ‘s retrospection

Albert was never a possessive person; Terry was. Terry was jealous of Anthony; Terry also bought Candy a one-way ticket to New York so that she would stay with him in NYC. Of course possessiveness is not healthy; eventually Terry would have to learn to control it if he and Candy got married. But we are not talking about whether Terry's possessiveness is bad or not (I admit it is). We talk about the characteristic of this Anohito (HIM) who "above all, wants me by his side all the time." And, truly, after at least a decade of separation (Susanna died about 10 years after Terry-Candy separation), would you blame Terry for always wanting Candy to be by his side? Would you blame Candy for always want to be by his side?

Those italic sentences Candy wrote above screamed TERRY to me, not Albert.

Hence, there was no room for Albert interpretation in the Final Story. Albert was Candy's foster father, brother figure, a person dearly beloved by Candy. But he was not the Anohito.

I agree with Scottie: Terence Graham Granchester was the Anohito... and I feel like my heart flutters like Candy's when she read his letter for the first time in a decade...


Update 4 August 2017

Found that Scottie has her own blog, and she proposed a timeline of CCFS here. It's very interesting, thanks, Scottie!

I also found another Candy-Terry fan fiction, written by Alexa Kang. Titled "The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else", the story later produced a spin-off about the daughter of Candy and Terry. Alexa took it further to make the spin-off a true original fiction called Rose of Anzio. It's available at Amazon, and I intend to buy the four volumes (the books receive good critics, hope to have it made into a movie!). Alexa had to change some characters and details to respect Nagita Keiko (Kyoko Mizuki)'s copyright, but as the result, we have an original fiction that offers winks to the Candy-Terry saga. Definitely in my reading list!


84 comments:

momwithsneakers said...

Hello Icha,
Im a new reader of your blog. You have written exactly how I feel. I couldnt move on from the fact that CC is not happy ending (since she wasnt with Terry). And I too, randomly googled CC, stumbled on the candyterry.com page, found The Seasons of The Daffodils, and love it to pieces.

As for the whole blog, I couldnt put in one word. Because I couldnt pick the word, keren, warbyasak, or just wow.. ;)

Salam kompak
-35yrs who is happy again :)

Icha said...

Hahaha! Thanks a lot, Mom with Sneakers!

Yeah, after more than three decades, we helpless romantics are happy again! I read and re-read the facts in the Final Story and I cannot help but conclude that Terry is Anohito. It cannot be Albert, no matter how much Kyoko-san tried to conceal her real intention...

momwithsneakers said...

Found your blog in the candyterry.com page. In introduction forum, I guess. Your writings is just WOW. I like your scientific method of explaining, you have excellent skills gathering data and put them in writing. If you dont mind, may I know your school background? Just to have a reference for my children. Thankyou. Nice to know you.

Oh and I think I will share your blog in my FB page. Have few friends who are Candy2 fans too (some of them not girls, haha), I bet they would be ecstatic to hear theres a new ending.. 😊😊

Icha said...

Hi Mom With Sneakers, thanks a lot for the reply! Yeah, I actually deleted that question about where you found my blog because I realised you already provided the answer. But thanks a lot for telling the story again!

I have a PhD in environmental science, I guess that's why I dissected CC Final Story like madness. I'm learning Japanese now to understand more about the nuances.

And YES PLEASE, do share the blog on your FB Page! More happy hearts is great!

momwithsneakers said...

Hi Icha, me again haha..
So I finally post this CCFS, with a link to this blog, on my FB page.
One of my friend insisted that, she has read an unpublished novel of CC (she said) where the ending is Candy with Albert.
Ehm, now I really hv no intention to debate her or whatsoever. I just wanted to show her, that CCFS is the OFFICIAL novel released by Keiko Nagita herself. Not just some writing which you cannot trace.
I really respect my dear friend. And for me, I dont mind if shes happy with the ending she has read. I dont want to force this CCFS to her. I think everyone deserver "their" Candy to be happy.
Anyway, I am trying to find a kind of link that says, CCFS is the last version of Candy Candy, released officialy by the author..

Can you help me please...
Anyway, can I have your email?

Icha said...

Hi MWS! I can relate with your story re your friend...

My email is southernriver74@gmail.com.

I may have the link (it’s in the CandyTerry Paradise), but I need about a week. The novel (in Japanese) also has the post script by the author.

Busy with deadlines now, but email me anytime! Your email will be a soothing break for me!

Zyvanny said...

Hello Icha.. I really love to read the book "Candy Candy the Final Story".. Where can I buy them (2 vol)? Thank you in advance

Icha said...

Hi Zyvanny,

I bought CCFS vol 1 and 2 in eBay and Amazon. They were second hand but still VERY expensive. The books pop up every now and then. I hope you can still find them!

Alternatively, go to Amazon Italy and buy the Italian version... We have no Eng ver to date at all...

Unknown said...

I am so grateful to you for your blog!

Sweet Poupee said...

Hi there--
Unfortunately you got the legal thing incorrect. The ending of Candy Candy was Nagita all along, and Igarashi was trying to take credit for the ending. Igarashi took Nagita' original manuscript from her (and hid it) and made claim in court that it was she who wrote the ending and that she had creative control. I have also translated and summarized the Legal case, from Nagita's essay. Nagita intended Candy to be with Albert all along, as she stated in her Nakayoshi interview, and it was also the key part of the court case. She also drove that point home again by re-establishing the invisible thread/bond with Albert three times in CCFS. I translated the Japanese to English text on my website ( I am bi-lingual native) and saw that there were errors in the Italian translations. If you are interested, feel free to read at sweetpoupee.com. or at CandyTerry.com. But I know people will want to believe what they want to believe, but I wanted to post the accurate translations.
I appreciate the care and attention you have put on this site.

Icha said...

Hi Sweet Poupee,

Thank you for your information. I understand that people will have their own interpretations, and that's fine. I have at least one Japanese bilingual who thinks that Terry is Anohito (I've posted her article here), and thus my conclusions were also backed up by at least a native speaker.

Having said that, thank you for the visit, and I shall check your translations later.

sweet poupee said...

Hi Icha
I believe that Terry is Anohito as well. I listed all the rationales.
I only recently read Nagita's statement on the Legal case, and her 3 Loves Essay, which clarified who wrote the ending, and her intent on the story ( that is what the Legal case was about. Igarashi was trying to take claim on the ending, but Nagita was fighting to prove that it was hers). I did not know that. So, from what I read, Nagita showed that there was a romance between Candy and Albert ( that was the purpose of the letters). But the biggest clue mystery that remained was what happened to Albert? After carefully going over the clues, I have my summary, if you are interested. I believe Nagita gave both men to the readers, but for heartbreaking reason.

Icha said...

Hi Sweet Poupee,

Ah okay, thanks for clarifying your points. I see that your website is up and running now, I'll have a read after the New Year!

I'll let you know what I think later in your web, although I still think Nagita prefers Terry to Albert (from her crying after she wrote the separation scene between Terry and Candy).

Thanks again and Happy New Year!

sweet poupee said...

Hi Icha
Yes, she was devastated after writing that scene ( I translated that part of her interview as well), but she said as heartbreaking as it was, that it was her intent to make them part, like in life. She wanted Candy to go through heartbreak and yet go through life, live and be happy despite hardships, and to get the man that was destined for her. (Read the 3 Loves Essay that I also translated).

Yes, there's no question that Anohito is Terry, and I think she did it mainly to appease the Terry fans. But she also gave the readers Albert (as she originally intended)... but I believe, in a tragic manner, which fits Nagita. Would be interested in hearing what you think.

Happy New Year.

angelita said...

Thank you so much!!!

Candy fans said...

Khabar gembira bagi fans pasangan Candy-Albert!!!
Prancis akan meluncurkan buku terjemahan resmi Candy Candy Final Story dg sub judul Vol.1 "Candice White l' Orpheline" pd tgl 13/3/2019 dan Vol.2 "Le Prince de la Colline" pada tgl 12/6/2019. Dua sub judul tsb telah mendapat persetujuan dari sensei Keiko Nagita atau yg biasa kita kenal dg Kyoko Mizuki. Dia pun akan hadir u/ peluncuran buku tersebut dan memberikan tanda tangannya pd tanggal 15-17/3/2019 di lokasi yg sudah ditentukan; Stand Pika Edition & Librarie Gibert Jeune à Paris. Silahkan kunjungi page 'Pika Edition' di https://www.facebook.com/mangapika/
atau searching di internet untuk memastikan khabar ini. Disana para fans Terry banyak yg protes karena perihal sub judul vol.2 tersebut XD dan pihak Pika edition memberikan penjelasan mengapa memilih sub judul tersebut :) tidak lain karena benang merah yg terhubung antara Candy & Albert. Lucunya fanatik dari fans Terry justru tetap meyakini kalau Terrylah sang pangeran diatas bukit dikarenakan dia juga pernah datang ke atas bukit Pony padahal jelas2 pihak Pika sudah memberikan penjelasan ttg pentingnya Albert dlm cerita tsb.
Fans Candy-Albert di seluruh penjuru dunia sedang merayakan khabar gembira ini sebab akhirnya telah terbit cahaya terang tersebut!! Wohoooo!!Yeah!!

Candy fans said...

Maaf salah kasih info sub judul CCFS vol.2, yang benar: "Le Prince sur la colline".

Icha said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Icha said...

Thanks a lot for the info. There is the reply from Pika about the question re: the second subtitle. This reply can be found in the CandyTerry.com forum, which you might not be willing to visit.

I have to delete the Pika reply because I haven't received approval from CandyTerry moderator to post the reply for all to see. However, Pika clearly stated that the subtitle is meant as a red herring, to maintain a certain mystery to one of the common themes in the CCFS>

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_herring

Therefore, to date I will still maintain my argument that Anohito is Terry. I will post an article about this issue soon. Thank you for reading this.

Icha said...

Pika has apparently posted their reply to Nila to their own website. Hence, I have no scruple to post the Pika reply here:

http://www.pika.fr/Annonce_RomanCandy

Le choix des sous-titres

Vous avez été nombreux à vous interroger sur la raison de la présence de sous-titres sur les deux tomes de l’adaptation française de Candy – Final Story et sur la pertinence de notre choix. Cet ajout par rapport à la version japonaise répond à notre volonté première de conférer aux romans une identité claire et plus parlante qu’une simple tomaison, comme il est d’usage de le faire en roman en France. De ce fait, chaque sous-titre a été mûrement réfléchi pour refléter au mieux les enjeux des deux tomes.
Ainsi, le premier, Candice White, l’orpheline, s’intéresse à la jeunesse de Candy et à sa quête d’un foyer aimant tandis que le second, Le Prince sur la colline se focalise davantage sur le mystère qui entoure ce personnage énigmatique, à propos duquel Candy n’a de cesse de se questionner tout au long de sa vie ; tout comme le lecteur, au fil des pages. Il ne s’agit donc pas ici d’influencer la lecture qui peut être faite de la fin de cette œuvre culte qu’est Candy, mais plutôt d’entretenir un suspense autour du fil-rouge clef de cette merveilleuse histoire. De plus, l’espoir de trouver une famille et la figure idéalisée du prince sont deux leitmotivs récurrents chez Candy, qu’il nous est apparu intéressant de mettre en avant au travers de ces sous-titres.

Dans un souci de respect de l’œuvre originale et de la volonté de l’auteure, ces deux sous-titres ont par ailleurs été approuvés par Keiko Nagita. Il n’appartient donc toujours qu’à vous, lecteurs, de décider, conformément au souhait de Keiko Nagita, du dénouement de cette fabuleuse histoire !

Icha said...

Sweet Poupee, I've read your corrections of the fan-translated manga pages about Terry. Very interesting. My progress with my Japanese classes is quite steady, hence I understand what you meant by the mistranslated nuances. Thank you!

I've also registered to your website and will happily read your translations when you approve me. Thank you so much for your hard work, おつかれさまでした!

sweetpoupee said...

Hi Icha--- I approved your registration. Thank you for stopping by! I also love reading your intelligent and thoughtful analysis on your site... seems like we both picked up on the Terry clues... although I see two timelines and two men in her life... esp after reading every word and studying Jean Webster's Daddy Long Legs ( which Candy Candy is influenced by)has the exact Albert/Jarvis reveal ending, and the Epilogue of CCFS is heavily similar to that novel as well ( almost same letters sometimes). Would be interested in hearing what you think.... I hope I'm wrong, but it's the only thing that fits and makes sense. Why else would Nagita sensei devote a big part to the Epilogue to the letters... and what happened to Albert?? That is the big piece to the puzzle.

Thank you also for your amazing work on your site.
Respectfully yours... Icha-san mo otsukaresama deshita.

sweetpoupee said...

I forgot to write that I did come up with my thoughts on what happened to Albert ( see my translation comments after certain chapters and my final summary comments on my website). Yes, although as absurd my theory seems, if you look at the rationales and the clues Nagita provided, it's the only thing that makes sense. Also, there's a hint to what I think happened to Albert in Daddy Long Legs novel as well....(although in the sequel that did not happen, but it made me wonder if Nagita chose the alternative). I really hope I am wrong, but it's the only thing that fits the puzzle and makes sense of it all. I would like to ask Nagita -sensei this if I could.

Icha said...

Here's the translation of Pika's announcement re: the second subtitle, translated by Nila who's been living in Europe (hence she has quite a good grip of French):

Many of you have wondered about the reason for the subtitles on the two volumes of the French adaptation of Candy - Final Story and the relevance of our choice. This addition to the Japanese version meets our primary desire to give the novels a clear and more meaningful identity than a simple tome (volume), as it is customary to do in the novel in France. As a result, each subtitle has been carefully considered to best reflect the issues of the two volumes.


Thus, the first, "Candice White, the orphan", is interested in Candy's youth and her quest for a loving home while the second, "The Prince on the Hill" focuses more on the mystery that surround this enigmatic character, about whom Candy is constantly questioning herself throughout her life; just like the reader, over the pages. So this is not about influencing the reading at the end of this cult work that is Candy, but rather to maintain a suspense around the key common thread of this wonderful story. In addition, the hope of finding a family and the idealized figure of the prince are two recurring leitmotif (themes) in Candy, which we found interesting to put forward through these subtitles.


In order to respect the original work and the author's will, these two subtitles have been approved by Keiko Nagita. It is therefore up to you, readers, to decide, in accordance with Keiko Nagita's wish, the outcome of this fabulous story!
 
We hope you'll be there in March to discover the adventures of your favorite heroine in bookstores, and look forward to your feedback.
 
Thank you again for your loyalty and your involvement in our titles!

Icha said...

Hi Sweet Poupee,

Thanks for your thoughts. When I read your post, I thought it made sense. I have to read the translations first before I arrive at my own conclusions. However, one section where Candy reminisced about her life with Albert at Magnolia Apartment made me think that Albert did grow to love her, which is a natural progress to me.

I'll contact you again after I read your translations. Thanks again!

sweetpoupee said...

Hi Icha
Thanks for sharing the Pika comment ( they also are communicating with me and I received that message as well). Also, I am a very good friend of Nila's ( we know each other since the original Candy Candy debuted!) so we are attuned. :)

I really hope I am wrong about my theory, because it really is devastating to me, but it's the only thing that fits. I will keep you posted if I get any more info/answers....

Best,
Sweetpoupee

Candy fans said...

Emangnya aku tak tau gitu jawaban Pika. Iye, fans Terry kan kirim surat ke Pika nanyain tuh knape judul buku nomor 2nya Pangeran diatas bukit Poni. Pake ada yg bilang klo jawaban Pika memuaskan segala. Nih ya, di Pika juga ada terjemahan Prancis dari buku nomor 1 sampai halaman 41. Coba deh tanyain ke forum situ. Eh tapi pake fansnya ngarang2 Tery yg jadi pangeran bukit. Udah kehabisan cara ngebrainwash fans Albert. Cuma gara2 judulnya -Pangeran diatas bukit- trus masalahin klo di dalam buku ditulis --le petit prince de la colline- (little prince on the hill) yah.. Jepangnya aja -oka no ue no oujisama- sama bener dgn judul buku prancisnya. Klo di prancis, tambahan kata petit yg dimaksud itu karena Albertnya tampan. Jadi bisa dimaksudkan -Charming prince- jadi teteup.. Prince sur la colline tu Albert bukannye Terry. Bilangin tuh ke kawan kawan di forum. Gw pernah ke forum Candy Terry buat cari info ngebandingin mana yg lebih masuk akal. Dulu gw sempat yakin Terry anohito.. Tapi jadi aneh ceritanya alias janggal. Untung deh gak lama kena brainwashnya bwahahaha Tuh terjemahan inggrisnya juga sudah lengkap di blog yg lain. Baca blog sana-sini. Yg ini aku dapet alamatnya dari blog yg situ pernah mampir. Trus terang, kronologis yg ada di sini aja terasa sangat janggal. Tapi bagus deh, baca baca komen situ diatas katanya lagi belajar jepang ye?Moga moga juga nanti beli buku Candy candy yg orisinilnya jadi bisa kebuka lebar lebar mata & pikiran. Kan ada page gitu yang memaparkan buku asli novel Candy Jepangnya. Sensei Nagita pandai menyelipkan bukti bukti yang seakan akan Terry anohito tapi ternyata bukan. Intinya cuma di PHP in XD
Ngomong ngomong Nila siapa? Katanya orang Jepang? Trus tinggal di prancis. Auuh kebetulan banget ye kok bisa samaan ma Lady Gato dikirimin surat ma Pika. Ih deket banget deh kalian sama Pika jadi bikin iri. Terus siapa lagi yg kirimin surat ke Pika. Mesti kebanykan fans Terry yg gak puas & minta ubah sub judul nomor 2. Ya Pika cerdas ngademin fans Terry supaya tetep laku jualannya nanti. Fans Terry kalau beli buku terjemahan prancis pasti ogah ogah gimanaa gitu tapi terpaksa buat intip isinya juga. Klo Nila pernah tinggal di Prancis brarti dia tau dong bagaimana film Candy Candy di siarkan disana? Film itu disana pernah ada sedikit perubahan yg mempengaruhi isi cerita keseluruhan. Apakah itu? Klo Nila pernah tinggal disana, dia pasti tau. Yah sekian deh dariku. Salam damai! Peace!

Icha said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Icha said...

Mbak, kalo Mbak marah, silakan marah di tempat lain. Sepertinya kita ga akan bisa setuju dengan apapun juga, ya gapapa. Tapi mohon menuliskan pendapat Mbak dengan lebih sopan dan tidak patronising.

"Situ" adalah kata yang kasar sekali untuk orang lain, tentunya Mbak juga sadar akan hal itu. Mohon Mbak, agar kita saling menghormati, walau kita tidak berpandangan yang sama.

Utk bahasa Jepang, mungkin bisa baca post nya Sweetpoupee.com... dia orang Jepang yg bisa bicara bahasa Inggris juga. Dan dia berkesimpulan bahwa Anohito itu Terry.. walaupun dia juga setuju bahwa Albert dan Candy pernah saling mencintai.

Omong-omong, salam damai Mbak yg terakhir tidak damai sekali. Don't say that if you don't mean it.

Semoga suatu saat Mbak benar-benar bisa damai.

Candy fans said...

Masak -situ- dianggap bhs kasar? :O
Oke ibu Maaf kalau komentar sya sudah buat ibu merasa resah. Ya ya ibu dan sya kayaknya memang tak akan sependapat. Beda pemikiran. Pesan saya: Bu, cari kebenaran dan bukan andai andai. Hati hati dengan orang di sekeliling ibu karena ibu tidak benar benar mengenal mereka. Salam hormat

Candy fans said...

Maksud sya yang di dumay ya bu.khususnya Candy Candy fandom

Icha said...

Dan pesan saya kepada Mbak Mier adalah: mohon bisa menerima bahwa tiap orang berhak memiliki kebenaran mereka masing-masing. Saya tidak asal main dengar saja maka saya berpendapat ttg siapa Anohito itu dll. Saya menganalisis CCFS berdasarkan pemahaman saya sendiri. Jika pendapat saya itu dianggap salah oleh Mbak Mier, tidak apa. Tapi mohon jangan mencap bahwa saya hanya menelan apa kata orang lain tanpa analisis saya sendiri. Dalam pekerjaan saya sehari-hari sebagai peneliti, saya memang selalu berusaha menganalisis informasi dan memberikan arti berdasarkan apa yg saya pahami. Jadi apa yg saya lakukan di sini adalah yg saya yakini benar adanya.

Jika Mbak Mier tidak setuju, tidak apa. Tapi bukan berarti saya tidak mengerjakan PR analisis saya sendiri.

Begitu saja...

momwithsneakers said...

Terlepas dari siapa Anohito,
dari cara menyampaikam pendapat, opini dan argumen di post ini, menurut saya pembaca bisa menilai bagaimana kita sebagai individu.

Salam hormat utk semua.

Icha, as always, I love your post 😊

Unknown said...

I'm glad that i found this blog. I was accidentally found out about Candy Candy Final Story. Just like you, I was left broken hearted for Candy-Terry story. I like Albert too. But for me his relation with Candy is more siblings like that a lover. He indeed someone Candy will always feel greatful and gratitute. But with Terry, you can feel and see how much Candy's life changed a lot. Because of Terry, she finally knows what she wants to be instead of living in luxury that Albert can provide her. She eloped to follow her heart which always lead to Terry.

I agree with your point of view. If Keiko was intended to write Albert as the anohito in the novel, what's the point then since we all know that in the manga ending, Candy was with Albert.

Usually we will try to make up something that already done for if we were some how not satisfied with the result or not like what we expected.

The 3 things that you pointed out wwere very clear to me that in the novel, the anohito is Terry. I also analyze and read the story. If not why would Keiko brought up the open door for Candy-Terry story? The death of Suzanna is one of the key. It was so pitiful for Terry who loves Candy so much and had to spend his life time because of the responsibilty he felt for Suzanna. And Im thankful for the writer who finally put the end of that situation for Terry. He did nothing wrong and yet his life was so miserable and had to separate from his beloved Candy.

And the most important thing is the letter that Terry sent to Candy. It speaks so loud, how his feeling never changed after those years already passed. 8-10 years after they painful separation in NYC. Terry is still the same. His love for Candy has never changed.

The other hand there's no story if Candy ever replied to Terry's letter. For me the answer already in front of us. The conclusion at the end. That after Terry's letter, some how Candy and Terry finally found their way back to each other's arms once again and for the last time.

What made me so sure that the anohito is Terry are the Shakespeares books in the study room where Candy lives now with her husband. We knew who was truly fan of Shakespeare. TERRY. And the affection that Terry always felt for Candy, after 10 years the painful separation, it's so makes sense that how her beloved husband needs her always to stay by his side. English is Terry's root. And how Candy stated/ described in the end of the final novel, when her beloved husband came back home. " I hear that GENTLE VOICE, which is ALWAYS CAPABLE OF MAKING MY HEART BEATING HARD. He is here, at the door, looking at me with THAT SMILE THAT I LOVED SO MUCH.."

For me it's very clear that Candy was talking about Terry. There're some parts in the novel described details about how Candy loves Terry's voice and smile.
-( the painful separation when Terry back hugged Candy for the last time}, " HIS VOICE,...THAT DEEP VOICE THAT I LOVED SO MUCH. I had never wished so intensely that time would stop...."

- ( the narrative part 2), during Candy's looking Terry's photograph and news clipping that she put in the jewelry box. ".., but I was sure that even his appearance alone at the auditions had been enough to attract the eyes for all present. HIS DEEP VOICE, neither particulary sharp nor particulary low, his audacity and HIS SMILE, SO SOFT AND SWEET, CAPABLE OF SHAKING ANY HEART..."

- ( Candy's letter to Terry), "..I remember that time when you told me that you would like to see some day the place where I grew up. And I also remember YOUR SMILE."



Zez said...

No. Anohito isn’t Terry’s stop with that.

Zez said...

All of you guys are wrong. Especially you. Candy and Terry did NOT end up together. In the official version, she is not with Terry. This is a fact.

Unknown said...

Keiko Nagita did not want to hurt somebody,that is why she did not reveal the identiti of Anohito but she left so many clus regarding him.And ,above all ,what was the reason for rewriting such a big nowel like this if it was not the desire to change something.I also do not wish to hurt somebody but Anohito is Terrence.I do not want to repeat what Icha and others Terry fans have said.I have been brokenhart for more than 20 years and nothing can prevent me for beeing hapy as our beloved Candice and Terrence are finnaly together!❤

Jake said...

okay you guys....actually the anohito is Neil LOL... Now stop arguing !

Icha said...

Hahaha! I think I agree with you, Jake. We should stop arguing. There are things in this world more important than the identity of Anohito.

SuperBatGirl said...

OMG Thank you for posting this and I'm so glad I found this. I too was feeling nostalgic for Candy Candy and ended up finding this blog entry. I was upset as a kid with Candy ending up with Albert when I liked her and Terry better. But this, knowing that there was a prologue and that the writer wanted her to end up with Terry and all the proof of him being Anohito. I can finally be happy about this, lol.

Unknown said...

Hello,

My name is Helle and I am a big fan of CC, and have been since I was a kid in the early 00's. I still remember the day my mother came home from work with VHS-tapes of CC. Never have I ever read the story, the manga version, but I think I will give it a try now if I can find it somewhere. I am happy to find this page because I have been angry about the ending so many times - and I am also a fan of Candy-Terry. Perhaps you know if "CC the final story" comes out as an anime like CC (the original)? It would be a relaxation for many fans I think - a great closure so to speak.

Best regards, Helle

Unknown said...

Hi again,

I have to ask you where you found the original CC manga story in English? And maybe you know where I can find it. Of course I know it's not written in my language. I have been looking all over the internet to find CC but I only found it in Japanese, Spanish and French but not english which is the only language I can read besides my own language.

Best regards, Helle :-)

Unknown said...

You don’t understand how much this article means to me for years I’ve been upset and never got over candy and terry’s heartbreak. This anime never fails to make me cry and feel like I’m going through a heart break haha I recently stumbled into this tiktok video talking about candy candy and i just felt like I had to rewatch the last episode.. like expected I cried once again remembering everything candy went through. I wasent satisfied about the ending and I was determined to find out if there was a book ir at least anything that proves that candy ends up with terry! I watch the anime when I was small so I didn’t know what to search up at the time! While I was searching up blogs about the anime I saw this one had to read it ASAP!! I feel like I have closure now! I absolutely believe candy ends up with terry(:

Unknown said...

Actually Candy never got married. The Italians didn’t like the ending so they re-made it into episode 116. So in reality Candy never got with Terry or Albert.

Lorena said...

I love this blog. Could somebody tell me where to find the CC Final Story? I would like to read it. Thanks.

Icha said...

Hi Lorena,

Please email Nila at candyterryparadise@free.fr to check if she has access to the English translation of the CCFS.

all the best,
Icha

Unknown said...

Did you actually read CCFS? If so, did you read it in English? Me and my daughter are looking for those novela and I came across this. If you read the books, would you kindly let us know where to find them.

Anonymous said...

I came across your blog while searching for my fave TV show when I was a kid. I was too young but fell in love with "Anthony and Candy" I didn't get the chance to finish the TV show because back then we don't have our own TV. I only get to watch TV whith our neighbor who likes Candy too..I would love to finish the story hope you could share a link where to watch it or read the final story. And Thank you for bringing me back to my childhood memories!

Icha said...

Hi Unknown, I read the CCFS in Japanese and the English translation. My Japanese is still not good, but I'm getting better at it these days that I can understand the nuances in the novel. I can also understand the difference between the language Terry used when talking to himself or to Candy and when talking to Sister Grey for instance (he used a very polite style when talking to Sister Grey).

If you'd like to read the CCFS, please visit candyterry.com and register yourself there. You can also email the moderator at candyterryparadise@free.fr ; in 2018 or so she has finished editing the fan-translated English version.

Thank you.

Icha said...

Hi Anonymous,

Thank you for the visit. If you'd like to read the CCFS, please visit candyterry.com and register yourself there. You can also email the moderator at candyterryparadise@free.fr ; in 2018 or so she has finished editing the fan-translated English version.

Not sure where you could watch the whole Candy Candy anime episodes though, apologies.

Unknown said...

Where is everyone getting the translated books from. I have just started to rewatch Candy Candy and realised that there is a book series which is in Japanese. so it there any place you can get them where there translated to english?

Icha said...

hi Unknown,

Please email the www.candyterry.com moderator at candyterryparadise@free.fr to access the unofficial translation.

Icha

pompeu said...

Please could you tell me in which languages has the manga been translated and where can I find them? If they are available of course And thanks for your great essay! I totally agree and feel so like you, the only difference is that I have just read the Final Novel and seen the final Italian episode.

Icha said...

Hi Pompeu, the manga has been translated into many languages, including English, Indonesian, French and Italian.

I don't know where you can find the manga in English these days, but I have more info for you. Please email me at southernriver74@gmail.com to continue the conversation.

Unknown said...

Di mana bisa dapet novel candy candy final story ya.. Hiks

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm a guy who watched CC as a kid & fell in love with it right away..& there's one thing most ladies would agree with me & that is: I never forgot the first kiss from the first GF I had, & if I could go back to her, I would..

Icha said...

Hi Anon,

Oh wow, that was... deep...

Thank you for your comments. It does resonate a lot with CC...

Unknown said...

@Icha... Boleh tau g beli dimana candy-candy final story? Info yaaa.. Tq..

Unknown said...

@Icha.. Info dong di Indonesia masuk g buku candy-candy final story? Tq yaaa

Icha said...

Halo... maaf ya, saya enggak tahu apakah di Indonesia ada buku ini ato tidak... dari Google sih enggak ada tapi siapa tahu saya salah...

Yang jelas, dari post saya yg terakhir, saya sekarang yakin bahwa anohito itu Terry, purely dari segi grammar (dan juga logic akibat grammar tersebut)...

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your analysis! I watched several episodes of Candy Candy when I was a kid (via CDs), and wanted to have a proper start / end for it. I got so heartbroken when Candy and Terry split, but I'm so thankful that CCFS was written, and that there are so many fans out there who wrote about this, else, I'd have never known. So, thank you!

Anonymous said...

Hi ☺️where did you read the manga ? And is it there anyway to own it ?
Thanks

Icha said...

Hi Anon and anon,


Anon 1: No worries, glad to help!

Anon 2: There's no CC Final Story manga, but there are CC original manga. I used to have it in Indonesian ver, but recently I got a hold of the English ver soft copy as well. IDK where you can read it these days, but perhaps they're available online too...

Linh said...

I have revisited Candy Candy again (a practice I do every year) and found your blog. I guess one of the reasons I keep coming back to the manga is the regret of what happened between my OTP Candy x Terry. This relationship, to me, gave the most character development in the entire story. Terry would probably never make it to Broadway or make up with his mum or even be the responsible guy he is to Susanna without meeting Candy. Candy would be stuck with the grief of Anthony's death if Terry didn't force her to look forward and move on. They started with opposite attraction, then they were parted and found their ways to each other while walking their own paths to pursue something meaningful for them. I come back to the story wishing things would change about Susanna, she confessed and was rejected. What else could she have done? If it weren't for the accident... If she didn't lose her leg... I feel the pain of Terry being tied down with responsibility with someone he doesn't love. I feel the pain of Candy understanding that Terry can't do otherwise.
I miss and treasure their short time at St. Paul's School, how they met, how they helped each other out, how they started to understand each other and how they slowly fell in love.

It's a shame about the conflict between the author and the illustrator. I wish they would stick to the story that Keiko Nagita came up with. But I kinda expected the Prince on the hill to show up as Japanese shoujo mangas are super fixated on the ideal of true first love. I just wish Candy would be happy with the one who made her heart flutter, whom she was passionate about.

Icha said...

Hi Linh,

Thanks a lot for your message. I agree with everything you said actually, so thank you for leaving a comment here.

As I said in my latest post in this blog (I rarely update it anymore, as you can see), I am still certain that Anohito is Terry, and that is not just backed up by logic, but also by my increasing understanding of Japanese language. It's hard for me to see Albert as Anohito when, in her present day, Candy was still reminiscing about the warmth of Terry's chest was still pulsating wildly within her... It's also hard for me to see Albert as Anohito (as much as I love Albert) when Candy is stating in present tense that she loves Terry's deep voice. So, yes, I still firmly believe - and not just based on faith, but based on logic - that Terry is anohito.

But your comment about the Prince of the Hill made me realise how true it is. I never thought of it, but yes, JP shojo manga loves about this true love... it's indeed romantic... My latest blog creation is dedicated for a novel, manga and anime about a couple who met years ago when the girl was a little girl - the boy is an oni haha! However, for their story, this first love = true love works.

yet, to me and you, it doesn't work for the Candy romance. But now I understand why Albert was presented as Candy's final love by the manga editors... I disagree with it, but now I understand it. Thanks for that.


Unknown said...

Hello! Sorry for the very late response in: https://candyfinalstory.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-letter-from-candy-anthony-5th-part.html?showComment=1623573091473#c4578613468061663071

Yasmin said...

Hi there Icha!
I used to watch CC in 80's as a kid and now have revisited the series to refresh my memories.
I wasn't aware of CCFS up until a few weeks ago.
I appreciate your analysis, it's been a blast reading all the English comments here.
In the end,I think the Author wanted to end things happily with Candy, show her happily settled with the her love, no matter who it was. Just that Candy was happy and in love.

Unknown said...

Ada yg bs info di novel candycandy final story jdnya siapa anohito yg sesungguhnya ?

Icha said...

Hi Anon,

Di CCFS novel tidak ada kalimat yg secara eksplisit menyatakan siapa Anohito itu. Dalam blog saya, saya berpendapat bahwa Terry adalah anohito berdasarkan hal-hal yang sudah saya jelaskan di postingan-postingan saya (terutama juga dengan memperhatikan grammar bahasa Jepang). Tapi kembali, interpretasinya terserah para pembaca...

Ethaniel80 said...

Take a look at the italian version. Whole. One episode every day. And in the end, it will be for you
original processing just an ugly memory.

Ethaniel80 said...

But most of all, you are looking for threads and evidence of who is HE. And the answer is BOTH. The author couldn't know where the book would be sold everywhere and how to explain to Italian fans who Candy and Terry were together that everything was different?

Unknown said...

Wahh hebat sekali tulisan anda. Saya sangat lega klo anohito adl Terry. Saya sudah curiga krn ada tulisan di googel mengatakan susana meninggal dan terry blm berubah mencintai candy serta candy dalam kurun wkt sepanjang itu blm kunjung menikah stelah mendapat surat dr terry yg notabene sudah bebas dr susana stelah susana dinyatakan meninggal. Agak janggal kalo candy memutuskan menikah dg albert. Terima kasih penjabaran anda sungguh hebat. Salam hangat

Icha said...

Terima kasih banyak, Anon. take care ya...

Anonymous said...

What happened to Albert in your opinion? I am very confused

Icha said...

Apologies for the late reply. IMO, Albert is still alive somewhere when Candy reminisced on her life story, but I believe he does not live with her, based on the justifications I've made in this blog...

dinda dindy said...

Hi icha, just found your blog and read the article you wrote. Thanks for sharing this with all of CC fans for i am one of them.
I am happy to know that candy and terence are back together after the end up, really make me sad reading the comics coz i do want to see them.together living a happy life. Could you tell me the link where to read the full versions of.CCFS? Thanks in advance. Love yout post once again.

Icha said...

Hi Dinda,

Thanks a lot for the visit. There is no official English ver of CCFS. The best bet would be either to buy the Italian or French versions on Amazon etc, and just glance over the text (Italian ver would be easier to understand, if you don't speak French...). The most accurate one would be to buy the Japanese ver, but the two volumes are very rare. Sometimes eBay has them, quite expensive when I bought them, over USD 100 in total, I think, for two (but I'm glad I have them...). Or just go to Yahoo Auction JP or Rakuma to check them out (you can use Buyee as a proxy to buy them).

All the best!

Reynard said...

I think that the discussion goes larger. Anthony was a very romantic person where CC fell in love with, Terry was a rebellious person and it was more a passionate love. Albert became a love that goes further than narcistic and passionate love. It js a love that could go deeper and it makes sense as CC grew older as well.

I think that the Asiatic culture is different than ours. Therefore the remarks that are focused on the bad things that happened in life and the open end sounds logic. If the author wanted to really make clear who is CC's husband, she could do this. I think ok purpose the author left the question open so that both Albert and Terry fans could fill out the story they like. It is however sad for us that the final story is not really a final story as we still don't know for sure who is her husband and what finally happened with Terry and Albert.

ordinaryhuman said...

I felt the same. At that time I was like 13 years old and i felt pain as I read that volume when candy had to choose to leave Terry for Susanna. I read it until finish and didn't feel happy with the ending and still hurts from candy terry break up.
But I don't think that candy will marry uncle William or the other way. It looks like she is single and Terry has become the love of her life even they never got together.

Anonymous said...

Candy candy has always had a harem style, not as clear as in other manga, all the male characters are in love with Candy but in the end candy decides for the tsundere

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your blog. I'm so happy Candy ended up with Terry.

Anonymous said...

I am in dire need of reading all of Candy, both original and the final story. My mom loves the animation and I got to know it through her and fell in love. Please help!

Icha said...

Hi Anon:

In response to your comment here:

"I am in dire need of reading all of Candy, both original and the final story. My mom loves the animation and I got to know it through her and fell in love. Please help!"

I think the only way is to buy the manga if available in English (or whatever your native language is) and also buy the final story in either Japanese, Italian or French. Italian might be the easiest to read because it's quite easy to understand Italian language. There's no official English translation for the Final Story.

Hope it helps.

Anonymous said...

I’m so Happy Candy ended up with Terry!! Finally feel peace after YEARS 😭😭