Series synopsis
Maria Watches Over Us, also known as マリア様がみてる is a Japanese animation drama television series that premiered on TV Tokyo on January 7, 2004. It ended on March 28, 2009. It stars Kana Ueda, Miki Ito, Megumi Toyoguchi and Mamiko Noto.
When Yumi Fukuzawa entered the Lillian Girls' Academy, a prestigious all-girls Catholic school in Tokyo, she never imagined she would catch the eye of beautiful and demure Sachiko Ogasawara, one of the school's most popular students. Now Sachiko has offered to be Yumi's soeur, her "sister" and guide for all her years at the academy. The whole idea has Yumi completely flustered—after all, they hardly know each other!
The entire campus is abuzz with rumors about the two of them, but Yumi is confl ...
Premise
When Yumi Fukuzawa entered the Lillian Girls' Academy, a prestigious all-girls Catholic school in Tokyo, she never imagined she would catch the eye of beautiful and demure Sachiko Ogasawara, one of the school's most popular students. Now Sachiko has offered to be Yumi's soeur, her "sister" and guide for all her years at the academy. The whole idea has Yumi completely flustered—after all, they hardly know each other!
The entire campus is abuzz with rumors about the two of them, but Yumi is conflicted over accepting Sachiko's offer. While she admires Sachiko, being her soeur would also mean constantly being at the center of the entire school's attention!
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Kana Ueda as Yumi Fukuzawa (voice)
- Miki Ito as Sachiko Ogasawara (voice)
- Megumi Toyoguchi as Sei Sato (voice)
- Mamiko Noto as Shimako Todo (voice)
- Haruna Ikezawa as Yoshino Shimazu (voice)
- Kaori Shimizu as Noriko Nijo (voice)
- Emi Shinohara as Yoko Mizuno (voice)
- Shizuka Itoh as Rei Hasekura (voice)
Guest cast
- Youto Kazama as (voice)
- Ikuya Sawaki as (voice)
- Mitsuki Saiga as (voice)
- Akiko Nakagawa as Kubo Shiori (voice)
Episodes
This series spans 5 seasons with 74 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 30 | April 2, 2004 | August 21, 2009 |
| Season 1 | 13 | January 7, 2004 | March 31, 2004 |
| Season 2 | 13 | July 4, 2004 | September 26, 2004 |
| Season 3 | 5 | November 29, 2006 | July 25, 2007 |
| Season 4 | 13 | January 3, 2009 | March 28, 2009 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Don't Tell Mother Maria. #1.1 ~ Meeting / Shimako's "Please Wait" / The Lady Roses at Tea Time Chibi short included with Season 1's first DVD volume. |
April 2, 2004 |
| 2 |
Don't Tell Mother Maria. #1.2 ~ Struggling Sachiko / Sorrowful Sachiko / Yumi Receives Rosary Chibi short included with Season 1's second DVD volume. |
May 13, 2004 |
| 3 |
Don't Tell Mother Maria. #1.3 ~ The Resounding Stomach Growl / Yoshino Returns Rosary / Yoshino and Rei Reconcile Chibi short included with Season 1's third DVD volume. |
June 4, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Troubling Declaration of Sisterhood Fukazawa Yumi's tie is fixed by Ogasawara Sachiko, her idol and the school's star, setting off a chain of events which would throw the shy and ordinary girl into the world of the prestigious student council. After Yumi walks in on Sachiko arguing with the Yamayuri Council over the school play they will be performing, Sachiko suddenly asks Yumi to be her petite soeur in an attempt to force her way out of the lead role. |
January 7, 2004 |
| 2 |
An Unnerving Duet Yumi is hounded by the school newspaper for a report on why she turned down Sachiko and endures dance lessons with the Yamayuri Council and a piano duet with Sachiko. Through various people, Yumi learns more about Sachiko and Suguru Kashiwagi, the one who will be playing the Prince in the Cinderella play. |
January 14, 2004 |
| 3 |
The Moon and the Rosary Yumi finally meets Kashiwagi when he comes to Lillian for the dress rehearsal, and learns a shocking secret about his relationship with Sachiko. Sachiko's true reason for her refusal to play the lead role is understood, making the bond between her and Yumi truly genuine. |
January 21, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Upon the Long Night Sei takes Yumi to visit Sachiko's house on New Year's Day where the Yamayuri Council have a party. All the major characters are reintroduced, and with the start of the New Year, Yumi looks happily forward to spring. |
July 4, 2004 |
| 2 |
The Yellow Rose at Full Tilt A series of photographs implicate Eriko in enjo kosai, or compensated dating, while Eriko's behavior becomes even more erratic and strange than usual. As it turns out, Eriko does have a secret, but its far from what she has been accused of. |
July 11, 2004 |
| 3 |
Most Dreadfully Busy Days In their midst of their graduation preparations for the third-years, the en boutons forget to organize a farewell party for the Rosas. To make it worst, Yumi finds out at the last moment that the en bouton petite soeurs must also put on a performance, and collapses from the pressure of all her various duties. |
July 18, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Vacation of the Lambs Sachiko takes Yumi for a holiday in her summer home. While there, Sachiko's acquaintances make trouble for them. |
November 29, 2006 |
| 2 |
Operation OK for Short (Temp) Lillian and Hanandera collaborate on a school festival, and Yumi tries to fix Sachiko's hatred for men. |
January 31, 2007 |
| 3 |
A Cool, Refreshing Breeze Hosokawa Kanako, a first year, sees Yumi as the ultimate embodiment of perfection. When preparations for the Hanadera Festival begins, Kanako tries to keep Yumi away from it due to her hatred of men and her fear of having Yumi be corrupted. |
March 28, 2007 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The School Festival is in Shock² Yumi and the Yamayurikai prepare a production (The Tale of Torikaebaya) for the upcoming school festival with neighboring boys school, Hanadera. |
January 3, 2009 |
| 2 |
An Ordinary Day with Nothing Special About It The day of the School Festival has arrived, there are many attractions but most importantly, the drama club is performing Little Women and Yamayurikai, The Tale of Torikaeba. With so much going on, the day might not just be another ordinary day. |
January 10, 2009 |
| 3 |
The Sœur Audition This year's remaining, petite soeur-less en boutons, Yoshino and Yumi are feeling the pressure to find their little sisters, for various reasons. Yoshino suggests that they have a Soeur Audition to do just the thing. |
January 17, 2009 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | TV Tokyo |
|---|---|
| First aired | January 7, 2004 |
| Last aired | March 28, 2009 |
| Runtime | 24 minutes |
| Status | Ended |