Heidi, Heidi in Japanese and German

Heidi is a children's novel written by Johanna Spyri, a 19th century Swiss author who lived most of her life in Zürich. Heidi became tremendously popular almost immediately; it's been translated to several languages, made into movies several times (most notabley perhaps in the English speaking world in a rather bastardized version starring Shirley Temple), and there was a Heidi musical that was popular last summer in Switzerland. But in the non-English speaking world, Heidi is probably best known via the anime series produced in Japan in the 1970s called Arupusu no sho-jo Haiji (アルプスの少女ハイジ). (Wikipedia English entry)

It's a bit ironic in a way that a Japanese anime has helped to make a Swiss classic (written in German) so popular. But the series really was of top quality, and it's no wonder that it is still shown on TV all over the world. (Except for the English speaking parts of course. Crap like Pikachuu and Yuugi-Oh can make it on the Toon channels but an old anime of a classic children's story...no no no.)

Since I'm a Japanese person currently living in Switzerland. Heidi is never that far from my mind. Whenever I talk to a new Japanese acquaintance, I can guarantee that Heidi will come up in the conversation. Heidiland, the area around Maienfeld in the Grisons (Graubünden), is a major draw for Japanese tourists. (Don't let that deter you from visiting the area though - it really is beautiful around there.)

I hadn't watched the Heidi anime for decades, since I was a kid really. Recently though, I had an opportunity to view the series on DVD. (As far as I know it's only available in Japan I'm afraid.) Except for minor things like mono audio and a slightly fuzzy picture, it barely shows its age. What I didn't notice before is how wonderful the attention to detail is. (Three men who later became giants in the anime world, Isao Takahata, Yoichi Kotabe, and Hayao Miyazaki were involved in the production.) The Swiss scenery doesn't look like anywhere specific but it certainly does look Swiss, not just generic mountains. The architecture is defintely Swiss, not just 'alpine'. Even the simple furniture in Grandfather's house and such look just right - I have an antique miniature chair that looks exactly like the simply carved wooden chairs shown in the anime.

It is a bit funny to me how Japanese Heidi looks. Well so do the other characters a bit, but at least they are given light brown or blonde hair and such. Heidi has short dark hair and round dark eyes. She look a lot like my little sister Megumi did when she was 5 years old.

Here in Switzerland we occasionally get Heidi on one of the German (from Germany) channels, ZDF or ARD. Hearing Heidi dubbed in German is sort of hilarious. Actually the whole thing is pretty funny to me - Swiss story, in Japanese, with sort-of-Japanese looking characters, original Japanese, dubbed to German!

The German version of the title song is very literal. Here's a YouTube video of it (which may disappear due to rights issues, but just go to YouTube and search for Heidi - it keeps cropping up):

The lyrics in German, followed by an English translation:

(Yodeling)

Heidi, Heidi,
Deine Welt sind die Berge
Heidi, Heidi,
Denn hier oben bist Du zu Haus

    Heidi, Heidi,
    your world are (is) the mountains
    Heidi, Heidi
    'Cause up here you are at home

Dunkle Tannen,
grüne Wiesen im Sonnenschein
Heidi, Heidi,
brauchst Du zum glücklich sein

    Dark firs
    green pastures in the sunlight
    Heidi, Heidi,
    that's what you need to be happy

(Yodeling chorus)

Heidi, Heidi,
komm doch heim,
find Dein Glück
komm doch wieder zurück

    Heidi, Heidi,
    oh come home
    find your happiness
    oh come back home

Now here's the original Japanese version:

The lyrics:

(Yodeling)

Kuchibue wa naze
Touku made kikoeru no
Ano kumo wa naze
Watashi o matteru no

    Why can a whistle
    be heard from far away?
    Why is that cloud
    Waiting for me?

Oshiete Ojiisan
Oshiete Ojiisan
Oshiete
Arumu no Momi no ki yo

    Tell me Grandfather
    Tell me Grandfather
    Tell me
    The Alm's fir trees

(Yodeling)

As you can see, the German version is quite literal. The Japanese version is in fact, quite abstract. I guess you could call it poetic or haiku-like. I prefer the Japanese version (which I can still sing from memory, God help me) but I've had long arguments with eh, German-speakers who say the German version is more descriptive and therefore better.

I guess I could draw some deep analogies about the difference between German and Japanese thinking based on this. Hmm....maybe after a few drinks.

Yaha yahihaiho, Yara hahihaiho...

Comments

[basak]

Every now and again I launch a desperate search on the Japanese version with Eglish subtitles and come up with nothing. Not sure if the one in Japan has English subtitles, either. I can't understand more than 15 phrases in Japanese, but it only feels right when anime is in Japanese. Incidentally I've found the version I watched as a child on Youtube, but it just doesn't feel right anymore. Whenever I try the dual audio on any anime I notice that the dubbing translation is very different: all those moments of subtle silence is hijacked, crammed with some irrelevant gabbing.
I'd appreciate it very much if you let us know in case you come across any release of original Heidi with English subs outside Japan.

[maki]

No the Japanese DVDs don't have any English subs. I've not seen any fansubs of it either...probably it's too old for the fansub community. It's such a great 'family-friendly' series, Disney or someone should get a hold of the rights and get it translated and out there. Too bad it doesn't belong to Studio Ghibli or there might be some possiblity of that happening....

[Loretta]

I've got tears in my eyes now.
I have all the Japanese DVDs for Heidi (it's something I'd want my own children to grow up with) and "Kuchibue wa naze" was the first song I ever learnt in Japanese.
This was part of Spanish TV in the 70s at a time when there was only one and a half channels. It was shown at lunch time during a period when everyone ate at home with their families. Almost everyone who had TV watched Heidi. It's unlikely that there will ever be a more popular program shown in Spain (too many channels now), it is, officially, the top rated show in Spanish History.

I used to spend my summers in Spain and adored Heidi - but back in school in England I had no-one I could speak to about it. I also got hooked on Marco (Haha wo tazunete sanzenri) the same way - another huge hit in Spain.

I never knew I was watching Japanese cartoons, that realisation came later in life and probably explains my own embracing of Japanese culture.

Here's the Spanish version
(Abuelito is the 'familiar', more personal version of the word abuelo - grandfather)

Abuelito, dime tu:
¿Qué sonidos son los que oigo yo?
Abuelito, dime tu:
¿Por qué yo en la nube voy?
Dime ¿por qué huele el aire así?
Dime ¿por qué yo soy tan feliz?
Abuelito,
nunca yo de ti me alejaré.

Granddad tell me
What are those sounds I can hear?
Granddad tell me
Why am I floating on a cloud?
Tell me, why does the air smell like this?
Tell me, why am I so happy?
Grandaddy
I'll never go far from you (I'll never leave your side)

Abuelito, dime tu:
lo que dice el viento en su canción.
Abuelito, dime tu:
¿por qué llovió, por qué nevó?
Dime ¿por qué todo blanco es?
Dime ¿por qué yo soy tan feliz?
Abuelito,
nunca yo de ti me alejaré.

Granddad tell me
What is it the wind is singing?
Granddad tell me
Why did it rain? Why did it snow?
Tell me, why is everything so white?
Tell me, why am I so happy?
Grandaddy
I'll never leave your side

Abuelito, dime tu:
si el abeto a mi me puede hablar.
Abuelito, dime tu:
¿por qué la luna ya se va?
Dime ¿por qué hasta aquí subí?
Dime ¿por qué yo soy tan feliz?
Abuelito,
nunca yo de ti me alejaré

Granddad tell me
Can that fir tree speak to me?
Granddad tell me
Why is the moon now leaving?
Tell me, how did I get to climb/arrive up here?
Tell me, why am I so happy?
Grandaddy
I'll never leave your side

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsEUU-w3XlQ

Now my face is all wet - gets me every single time (why does Heidi make me cry so much??)

[maki]

Thanks for the Spanish version Loretta!

Heidi is such a classic...I really hope someone decides to make it more available worldwide someday. It deserves it! It's so well done, and so family-friendly. I remember watching it as a kid, and I can still remember the opening and closing songs.

[Heidi]

I used to live in New Zealand but now I live with my family in Austria. I´ve often heard about the series, but I cant remember ever watching it, they dont sell it here and it isnt on TV or anything. My parents named me after the cartoon character Heidi, or maybe the girl in the book. Does anyone know where to get a DVD?

[Loretta]

"Does anyone know where to get a DVD?"
Heidi,
the DVDs are currently available from many places in Japan. However, they aren't cheap and there are many DVDs in the series. You might be best off getting the film
アルプスの少女ハイジ 劇場版 (トールケース版)
LINK - http://www.amazon.co.jp/アルプスの少女ハイジ-劇場版-トールケース版-杉山佳寿子/dp/B00008BDES

As this condenses many of the key parts of the series into one DVD.
There are companies which will buy goods in Japan on your behalf and send them to you (google: "auction deputy" japan)
If you want the series in Spanish, It's currently being sold alongside Marco by http://www.rbacoleccionables.com/heidi-marco/presentacion/ (2 DVDs, each with 4 episodes was 6.95Euros - a bargain compared to the Japanese price!). Alas, there is no Japanese option on these DVDs. I don't think these are available outside Spain though.

[Loretta]

"Does anyone know where to get a DVD?"
Heidi,
the DVDs are currently available from many places in Japan. However, they aren't cheap and there are many DVDs in the series. You might be best off getting the film
アルプスの少女ハイジ 劇場版 (トールケース版)
LINK - http://www.amazon.co.jp/アルプスの少女ハイジ-劇場版-トールケース版-杉山佳寿子/dp/B00008BDES

As this condenses many of the key parts of the series into one DVD.
There are companies which will buy goods in Japan on your behalf and send them to you (google: "auction deputy" japan)
If you want the series in Spanish, It's currently being sold alongside Marco by http://www.rbacoleccionables.com/heidi-marco/presentacion/ (2 DVDs, each with 4 episodes was 6.95Euros - a bargain compared to the Japanese price!). Alas, there is no Japanese option on these DVDs. I don't think these are available outside Spain though.

[Annalie Killian]

Thanks for sharing this. I also wrote a blogpost about Heidi and the effect she had on my life on http://www.msmaverick.blogspot.com

[steven dunne]

you can find links at http://www.animated-divots.com/heidi.html
yes Asia might be good (the list at http://www.nausicaa.net/ showed a version that enables sound fx and music only tracks without voices- I'd be tempted to rip this version and do an amature dub but can't!) I want to hold out for at least a subtitled release- if people keep up the talk, the series holders may finally decide to do at least that much. I bought Anne of Green Gables to stave me of my wait for a Heidi sub and i think it ironic that related series have subs and were bought as a result the the attention to Heidi- Anne by the way, is an awsome series that my well be better than Heidi- YOU WILL CRY AT THE END find it and others at http://www.uk2usa.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=0001386
info at http://www.nipponanimation.com/catalogue/index.html

[Juan Gonzalez]

You can find the DVDs also at a mexican store:

http://www.mixup.com.mx

Just search under "Heidi"

They sell the whole series in 4 seasons, each season with 4 DVDs. Or you can buy the series by individual DVD packages.

The only problem (if any) is the language: it's spanish audio only.

[Angi]

I remember watching this cartoon when I was little, maybe 20-25 years ago. But I don't remember it being in a different language. Was it not played in English, on American television? I remember it, I loved it!

[Nolwenn]

My daughter LOOOOVES Heidi -it was on air on tv some months ago-.

In french, the song is something like that:

A la-i-la
A la-i-oh

Heidi, Heidi
Petite fille des montagnes
Heidi, Heidi
Petite fée de nos campagnes
Les bois, les monts
Les vallées bleues, les prés, les fleurs
Heidi, Heidi
C'est là tout ton bonheur

Halala hidi, halala hidi
Halala hidi, halala hidi
Halala hidi, halala hidi
Halala hidi, halala hidi
Halala di hadi hadi haldihaha

Heidi, Heidi
Reviens donc
La maison
Est là pour t'acceuillir

Là-haut sur la montagne
Vivait une petite fille
Les biches étaient ses compagnes
Et les fleurs ses amies

Pendant l'hiver, pendant l'été
Quand le soleil brillait
Toute la vallée résonnait
De son rire enchanté

Heidi, Heidi
Petite fille des montagnes
Heidi, Heidi
Petite fée de nos campagnes
Les bois, les monts
Les vallées bleues, les prés, les fleurs
Heidi, Heidi
C'est là tout ton bonheur

Halala hidi, halala hidi
Halala hidi, halala hidi
Halala hidi, halala hidi
Halala hidi, halala hidi
Halala di hadi hadi haldihaha

Heidi... Heidi...
Reviens donc
La maison
Est là pour t'acceuillir
Heidi
Heidi

[Florentino]

It's so good to find people who like Heidi too. Heide brings back tender memories of my happy childhood. By the way, I just learned it was a Japanese series! Almost all the people I know can sing the song, this series was a big hit like no other now. Blessings! Please visit http://elbibis.blogspot.com

[Boris]

ah yes.. I grew up watching Heidi (amongst other favourites like Mazinger-Z).. I saw it all in Spanish.. millions of Hispanic people remember these series fondly.

[michelle]

my daughter saw the Heidi dubbed in Italian at a friends house and now is in love with it. I'm in NYC and would love to get the set in spanish or english. It's especially sweet for me because Heidi was my favorite book as a little girl.
The Japanese song is lovely, the spanish is very similar in text..

[steven dunne]

i just bought the german series for £60 (blind through german amazon!)- i thought it would be more authentic in german, and the japanes limeted edition cost £200(the cheapest i found) and upwards of £400 at (http://www.yesasia.com/global/heidi-35th-anniversary-memorial-box-dvd-end-limited-edition-japan/1005123261-0-0-0-en/info.html).
i don't understand either language so what the hell! (i like the german song anyhow) but this is the sort of madness this thing has on you. after anne of green gables, i got perrine and the trapp family from uk2usa (had english subs) they are at least equal, if not better at times than heidi, and have just sent of for marco. until i see an english sub version (all releases should have multi subs as standared realy,- isn't that more market smart?) i will not be able to take in and evaluate my perception of this anime that we want so much, because we can't get it?
anyhow i can only keep blabbing where i can to put the hint out- studio contact info anyone?

[steven dunne]

p.s I should point out that it's 5 am, i have not gone to bed yet and despite my german perchase, have still been web searching for heidi english subs and done so like this for many a night- for the love of god SOMEONE send a link to this site to whom may see and save us!

[giulia]

The lyrics in italian

Heidi, Heidi, il tuo nido è sui monti
Heidi, Heidi, eri triste laggiù in città
Accipicchia, qui c'è un mondo fantastico
Heidi, Heidi, candido come te
Holalaidi, Holalaidi, Holalaidi, Holalaidi
Holalaidi, Holalaidi, Holalaidi, Holalaidi
Holalaidi, Laidi, Laidi, Laidi, Haho
Heidi, Heidi, tenera piccola con un cuore cosi
Gli amici di montagna, Mu Mu, Cip Cip, Bhe Bhe
ti dicon non partire
ti spiegano il perchè
Saresti un pesciolino che dall'acqua se ne và
un uccellino in gabbia che di noia morirà
Heidi, Heidi, ti sorridono i monti
Heidi, Heidi, le caprette ti fanno ciao
Neve, bianca sembra latte di nuvola
Heidi, Heidi, tutto appartiene a te
Holalaidi, Holalaidi, Holalaidi, Holalaidi
Holalaidi, Holalaidi, Holalaidi, Holalaidi
Holalaidi, Laidi, Laidi, Laidi, Haho
Heidi, Heidi, tenera piccola con un cuore cosi
Heidi, Heidi, tenera piccola con un cuore cosi

[shruti]

yaaaaa its really true. HEIDI needs to be more famous popular worldwide because it deserve the FAME very sincerely.......
Please make its movie available as soon as possible.
Its a humble request to you Sir.......

[shruti]

Please make it Available on internet also...
Its a humble request to you Ma'am....

[shruti]

I had watched every episode ofHeidi cartoon and it really very amazing and really very touching.It is all about love in the relationships, both blood and heart relations.
Its really marvellous.
Its my favourite cartoon n will remain also.
I LOVE HEIDI.

[Juan de Bruyn]

In South Africa it was tranlated in Afrikaans an at the time it aired anyone who was anyone was watching it. It is also available on DVD in Afrikaans but for some reason they used the German opening on repeats in the 90's and the DVD's. I think the German one was used because tough the words are similar if translated the German instruments used are more appropriate. The Afrikaans version uses a base guitar and an accordian that makes it sound like what we call "Boerre musiek".

The Afrikaans theme song was later improved and made available on childrens CD's.

We also had, and still have(on satalite TV), old Japanese animation translated into Afrikaans like Rascal the raccoon (Walter die wasbeer), Nils Holgerson,Sinbad and Niklaas.

Unfortunately due to the 'new' goverment translations of (good) shows are not done anymore, they embrace local (poorly animated and written) programs. If you want the shows like Heidi in South Africa you must have satalite TV.

[Juan de Bruyn]

I Have located the Afrikaans Lyrics for Heidi (extended version) and they are as follow:

Intro: soft yodeling

Heidie Heidie
Jou wêreld is in die berge
Heidie Heidie
Dis jou tuiste en jou geluk
Donker bome, groeneveld in die sonneskyn
Heidie Heidie
Laat jou glimlag nooit verdwyn

(Yodeling)

Heidie Heidie
Kom tog gou bring geluk
Ons verwelkom jou terug.

Jy woon daar in die berge
ʼn kleine paradys.
Jou vriende is die diere
jul lag en speel so bly.
Van lente tot die somersdag
sal almal op jou wag.
Jou liefde is so rein en mooi
nou gloei die Alpe rooi.

Heidie Heidie
Speel met Peter en Josef
Heidie Heidie
Wys vir Soekie die hemel blou.
Sonskyn dae in die berge van Switserland
Heidie Heidie
Jy bly ons liefling kind

(Yodel)

Heidie Heidie
Kom tog gou bring geluk
Ons verwelkom jou terug.

[Colin Browne]

Gee, thanks to the people at this site for stirring up lovely memories. We never missed one of the episodes of the Afrikaans version here in South Africa.
25 years ago we had another Afrikaans serial called 'Dawie die Kabouter.' (David the Gnome) I loved it so much that I still remember it word for word. The main reason being that it was the last piece of music I learnt before becoming totally deaf.
Hopefully, copyright laws will not be infringed if I supply both lyrics and music to whover is interested.
Colin

[Colin Browne]

Juan de Bruyn, if you remember the 'Dawie' serial, you may recall the sad final scene in the last episode. Dawie and his wife stood in the open meadow holding his wife's hand.
(can't remember her name) He asked:
"Is jy reg?" (Are you ready?) When she nodded, they immediately changed into a beautiful tree. Perhaps this was an indication that there would never be a Dawie II. By doing so, they would have spoiled a lovely classic and our memories along with it.
Colin

[eltegee]

i used to watch heidi about 25-30 years ago in turkey. i loved it, everyone did. i live in the us now, and i have a 2 yr old daughter. we don't watch tv at home. i was able to find some dubbed eposides and it's 20 minutes of bliss to all of us once in a while. my daughter, my husband and i watch it together. i wish i could buy dvds in turkish. you guys are so lucky.

[Nick]

It was loonggg loonnnnggg time back when i saw heidi on cartoon network in idia.. i loved it.. can anyone tell where can i get the complete series so that i can see it again? thank you.

[Heidi Feakins-Evans]

Hi my name is Heidi and when i was younger I was determined to understand all of these different versions but of corse I was under five and didnt understand ever since then (I am 8 now) I have been looking for it in english subtitles and tranlations are good enough for me does anybody know at all anything???

[Masdeleine Ford]

HEY! Yu-Gi-Oh was AWESOME!!! and what is this book? I've never heard of it, I only found this cause I was searching up for more anime shows to watch, seeing how I already finished 'Naruto', 'Naruto Shippend', and FullMeatal.

[Lauryn Purtee]

I like what the producers did to the story. By interpreting it, they effectively introduced the story to kids who are not familiar with them. And I think the plot background is enough to make audiences interested in Swiss culture, too.