SAVE ME CANDY!
Save Me Candy! depicts the cake-cutting ritual overlaid with imagery of Candy Candy, an iconic manga character that captured the hearts of Latin American audiences in the 1980s. As one of the first Spanish-dubbed anime series to achieve widespread success, Candy Candy paved the way for subsequent beloved titles like Astroboy, Heidi, Sailor Moon, and Dragon Ball Z, solidifying its place as a pioneer in the region’s anime fandom.For my mother, Candy Candy was the quintessential television program of her youth, serving as a bonding experience for her and her sisters. Fast forward to the present day, there’s been a revival of iinterest in this anime character. The children of women who grew up in Latin America during the 1980s have taken to organizing Candy Candy-themed birthday parties for their mothers. However, with the decline in its popularity and merchandise availability, these celebrations often rely on DIY printed banners and decorations sourced from online images.
The text ‘take care of themselves, among ourselves,’ combined with the imagery of Candy and a birthday party, serves to highlight the importance of support and self-sufficiency within communities.