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I thought it would be worth compiling a list of series here that are technically not WMT series, but are similar enough that WMT fans would probably enjoy them (once we finish watching all the WMT of course ^_^). I figure it would be easier to have these in one place than following a chain of recommendations on the series pages. They are all similar in that they are based on old novels or stories, and they often have that same sort of character design. Sometimes they are mistaken for WMT series.

Some of the ones I can think of are:

Meiken Jolie (aka Belle and Sebastian): based on the French novels by Cécile Aubry about boy and his dog wandering to reunite with his mother.

Kaze no Shoujo Emily: based on the Emily of New Moon books by LM Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables (which has a WMT series)

Watashi to Watashi - Futari no Lotte: based on the book "Das Doppelte Lottchen" by Erich Kästner, which was the same book that Disney's 'Parent Trap' movies were based on.

The Snow Queen - based on the Andersen tale, a young heroine on a journey.

Anime Sanjushi and Anime Sanjushi - Aramis no Bouken - Anime version of the Three Musketeers and its sequel.

Oz no Mahou Tsukai- anime version of the OZ books by L Frank Baum

Takarajima - based on Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Secret of Cerulean Sand - A young girl journeys through a strange land to find her brother

Huckleberry no Bouken - Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Based on the Mark Twain novel. There is a Tom Sawyer WMT.

Alice in Wonderland - based on the classic by Lewis Carroll.

Girl in the Wind: Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair - ok, not based on a book, but based on an old song :)

Oyayubi Hime (Thumbelina) - a young girl is shrunk to a tiny size, and embarks on a perilous journey to retun home

The Wonderful Adventures of Nils - a young boy is shrunk to a tiny size and travels with a flock of geese while trying to find a way home and back to normal

Ashita no Nadja - A young girl discovers she is not an orphan after all, and embarks on a journey to find her mother.

*claps* Great, great list! Your anime knowledge never ceases to amaze me.

As for other series, I can only think of a handful...

Nobobody's Boy Remi (Ie Naki Ko), plus a movie and another movie, all based on the same novel that Noboby's Girl Remi came from.

Actually, I had another one in mind but I already forgot it. ^_^;

That's a good idea. These are the ones I thought about:

Wanwan Sanjushi - 1981 - based on Alexandre Dumas's novel "Les Trois Mousquetaires" (The Three Musketeers) (1844)

Pinocchio Yori Piccolino no Bouken - (1976-1977) - based on Carlo Collodi's book "The Adventures of Pinocchio" (1883)

The following are not based on books but they still remind me of the WMT style:

Wakakusa no Charlotte - (1977-1978)

Hello! Sandybell - (1981-1982)

Honey Honey no Suteki na Boken - (1981-1982)

Mirai Shounen Conan - I like it for the same reasons I like WMT works, it had the same kind of feel for me : D It's something Miyazaki worked on early on, if that's saying anything : D http://myanimelist.net/anime.php?id=302

Anime Sanjushi definitely fits the WMT. ^^

For something more recent, I think the currently airing Kemono no Souja Erin is shaping out to be a nice candidate for this list. Though not perfect, it has many of the typical WMT elements and seems to be a very good anime overall.

A big thanks for MagicalEmi for the helpful topic!

And of course, most of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata works, that goes without saying.

And Jean Valjean Monogatari. Previous anime version of Les Misérables. It MUST be very good.

I'll add Himitsu no Hanazono (The Secret Garden) and Victorian Romance Emma, but I'm sure there are more to remmend but I don't remember now.

I finished yesterday one of the greatest epic episodes I have ever watched.

I speak of Animated Classics of Japanese Literature http://myanimelist.net/forum/?animeid=4723

A russian fansub released three random episodes ripped from a US DVD recently. Just watch episode 25 and 26, "The Harp Of Burma". I watched it last night and I'm still moved by it.

Meiken Jolie

Taotao Ehonkan Sekai Doubutsu Banashi

Bannertail: The Story of Gray Squirrelli

Seton Doubutsukii

Some stuff that aired around here in the eighties. All in the WMT wave, all quality series.

Furusato Japan

Fresh subs from [Medgirl].
This is traditional family-oriented cartoon with historical settings. Explores human relationship and heavenly based on japanese culture. Some similarities with Nitaboh(same director, art) or Junkers Come Here(themes, style). Also the drawing and character's design is a bit more "japanese" counter to the common animes where characters drawn in a more western-style.

Unico&Unico in the Island of Magic

A western-style fairy tale from Tezuka Osamu.
Both have just appeared at bakabt tracker. They're in engdub, what is not preferred option for many of you. But given the rarity of these animes, not much of a choice here, i guess.

Hana no ko Lunlun and Hana no Ko Lunlun: Konnichiwa Sakura no Sono (Movie).

The King of the Flower Planet is dying, but his heir can't take up the throne until the legendary Seven Color Flower, symbol of the King's power, is found.

Informations about these animes here and here.


Laura, Girl of the Prairies.

This anime is based on the same work as the famous American live-action TV series Little House on the Prairie.

More information here.

"I finished yesterday one of the greatest epic episodes I have ever watched.

I speak of Animated Classics of Japanese Literature http://myanimelist.net/forum/?animeid=4723

A russian fansub released three random episodes ripped from a US DVD recently. Just watch episode 25 and 26, "The Harp Of Burma". I watched it last night and I'm still moved by it."

@RobdeFR: Do you happen to know where I can find information about this anime or about where I can find it?

Sorry. I was certain that I had answered.

Unfortunately these type of obscure torrents can only be maintained alive on BakaBT.

Nobody's mentioned another version of Dog of Flanders called Dog of Flanders: My Patrasche. Unlike the WMT version, this anime was made in 1992-1993 by TMS Entertainment and is 26 episodes long. Unfortunately, the Japanese version has apparently gone up in smoke (IT'S NO WHERE TO BE FOUND!!!) and I only managed to find Italian and Arabic versions. I've seen most of it and I really love it!

Mai Mai Shinko to Sennen no Mahou.

I've only watched 10 minutes or so, cause the eng subs were below expected, hopefully russian softsubs will be ready soon, but anyway it has all the makings of being a great WMT-like movie.

Kojika Monogatari - based on the 1938 novel The Yearling by Majorie Kinnan Rawlings which won the Pulitzer Prize a year later

This has got to be the most calm and peaceful anime openings out there. The English opening is even more chilled and relaxing since there's no singing involved. You can watch the intro and most of the episodes in English in VHS quality here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/siberiantigr5

Also, let's just steal this Italian Wikipedia page on WMT and call it a day =) They have a complete list on literature outside of Japan adapted into anime.

Wow! An anime like that exists!? Do you know where I can find RAWs of Kojika Monogatari?