The Animated Classics of Japanese Literature is an anime TV series which aired on NTV in Japan for 32 episodes from 25 April to 26 December 1986 in the 7–7:30 pm time slot. The series was unusual in that each episode was a stand-alone story based on popular and well known modern Japanese stories. The series was sponsored by Sumitomo Life Insurance. The branch offices and agents of Sumitomo Life Insurance heavily promoted the series with posters in their offices as well as commercials directly after each episode..