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 produced in 1986 as part of a series, "Animated Classics of Japanese Literature". Alternate title: "The Young Master."