Iconic 80s Series Leaving Netflix Soon: Millions Heartbroken!

If the name “Princess Sarah” rings a bell, then you must be familiar with this animated series from Japan that premiered in France in 1987 on La Cinq.

This series was a staple for school kids growing up in the 90s, and was part of the daily programming block “Youpi! School’s Out” aired from 5 to 6 PM.

Positioned between “Arnold and Willy” and “The Smurfs,” “Princess Sarah” was a must-watch for children aged 7 and up.

The young viewers followed the daily adventures of Sarah, a girl sent to England by her father, who had struck it rich in the Indian mines, to attend a boarding school. Upon her arrival, everyone is taken aback by her elegant appearance and luxurious clothes.

However, her life takes a tragic turn when she learns about her father’s death in India on her birthday. Now orphaned and penniless, Sarah begins a new life. Yet, she manages to keep a glimmer of hope alive within her…

Everything you need to know about Princess Sarah

Princess Sarah is a short animated series with only 44 episodes, which were all broadcasted in Japan in 1985. The series is based on a children’s novel written by British-American author Frances Hodgson Burnett in 1905.

While the animated series does take some creative liberties with the source material, it remains largely faithful to the original story.

The only notable differences are the heroine’s age (8-10 years in the series versus 7-13 in the book) and the ending: In the series, Sarah does not return to Miss Minchin’s boarding school but instead moves in permanently with Mr. Crisford. However, she does indeed make Becky her lady’s maid.

The initial airing of Princess Sarah was a huge hit on La Cinq, leading to multiple reruns over the years (including on Club Dorothée in 1994 and on France 3 in the Minikeums in 1996), introducing a whole new generation to the adventures of Sarah, Lavinia, and the other students.

Unfortunately for Netflix subscribers, the series will be leaving the platform on June 14th, marking the end of its availability without additional fees. So, make sure you catch it while you still can!