Smart-san English Sub & Dub

About Smart-san

Here is what Smart-san (はいからさんが通る) is about, retold in plain terms: a drama, romance and slice of life anime by Nippon Animation (1978). The premise: Set in the 1920s, Haikara-san ga Tooru is the story of the high-spirited tomboy Benio and her relationship with a handsome half-German soldier named Shinobu. Benio is a very outgoing and athletic girl with firm ideas about being able to live her life as she longs to.

Along the way, when she first crosses paths with Shinobu, she dislikes him intensely, even though he manages to help her out of a series of embarrassing mishaps. She is therefore surprised when she stumbles on out that she has been pushed into an arranged marriage and that her husband-to-be is none other than Shinobu! The story then has many twists and turns, as Shinobu has to fight in the war, Benio has to wrangle with the idea of getting married, and getting along with her future in-laws and employer.

As a drama title, character writing and emotional payoff matter more than spectacle. Voice work is led by Keiko Yokozawa as Benio Hanamura and Katsuji Mori as Shinobu Ijuuin. It will appeal most to viewers who prefer story and feelings over flashy action. At 42 episodes in total, it is easy to plan a viewing schedule.

Production & Appeal

Animation is handled by Nippon Animation, so the studio's house style defines how Smart-san looks and moves on screen. The drama focus matters here: character writing and emotional payoff matter more than spectacle. With a 6.9/10 score, it is more of a niche pick than a universal crowd-pleaser. Voice casting, including Keiko Yokozawa as Benio Hanamura, adds to the appeal for fans who follow seiyuu. It aired in 1978, which makes it easy to place in the wider anime calendar.