The Legendary Series Glass Mask's 1984 Classic Anime Returns for Free!
One of the most deep-rooted and beloved works in the shoujo world, Glass Mask (Garasu no Kamen), is preparing to stir up winds of nostalgia. The first television anime adaptation of the legendary manga written by Suzue Miuchi, which aired in 1984, began re-airing on the TOKYO MX channel in Japan as of May 13, 2026. The best part of this exciting development is that this 23-episode classic series, produced by the Eiken studio, will be available to watch for free on the TVer platform every week immediately after the television broadcast.
This 1984 version holds the distinction of being the first long-running step of the Glass Mask universe to be adapted into animation. Consisting of 23 episodes in total, the series focuses on our main character Maya Kitajima's entry into the world of acting and her relentless but respectful rivalry with her competitor Ayumi Himekawa. Although there is a more modern 51-episode adaptation produced by TMS Entertainment in 2005, this original series, which carries the aesthetics and dramatic narrative of the 80s, still holds a very special place for many fans. The director's chair for the series is occupied by Gisaburō Sugii.
Glass Mask is not just a manga, but also one of the most important cornerstones of Japanese comic history. The work, which began its journey in Hana to Yume magazine in 1976, has become one of the best-selling shoujo mangas of all time, selling over 50 million copies worldwide. The story tells of the struggle of Maya Kitajima, who appears to be an ordinary girl but becomes a giant when she steps onto the stage, to land the legendary role of the "Crimson Goddess" (Kurenai Tennyo). Its creator Suzue M
