Released as a TV special.
Based on Natsume Souseki's 1906 novel, which was one of Japan's best-selling books. The novel included autobiographical elements: Natsume once taught in Matsuyama, where Uranari comes to teach.
Animator Akio Sugino "cleaned up" Monkey Punch's designs.
Some sources credit Osamu Dezaki as the director's "assistant".
A shorter version of "Botchan" was…