Edmondo De Amicis is the Italian author whose original literary work served as the foundation for several notable anime productions. He was not a direct creator of anime but an Italian novelist, journalist, and short-story writer born in Oneglia, Italy, on October 21, 1846. His most famous book, the children's novel Cuore, published in 1886, is the source material for the anime adaptations cited. De Amicis came from a military background, having attended the Military Academy of Modena and served as an officer in the Italian army, fighting in the battle of Custoza in 1866. He later left military life to pursue writing and journalism, producing travel writings and social novels before his death in Bordighera, Italy, on March 11, 1908.

The original work at the heart of these anime is a specific part of his novel Cuore, which is structured as a diary of a young boy's school year. Within this novel are several monthly tales, one of which is titled From the Apennines to the Andes (Dagli Appennini alle Ande). This short story, a sentimental tale of a boy's long journey from Italy to Argentina in search of his mother, is the direct basis for the anime series and films.

The most significant anime adaptation is the 1976 Japanese television series 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother (Haha o Tazunete Sanzenri). Directed by Isao Takahata, the series was produced by Nippon Animation as part of the prestigious World Masterpiece Theater (WMT) lineup, which adapted classic children's books. The series expanded De Amicis's original short story considerably into a 52-episode epic. The plot follows a young boy named Marco Rossi from Genoa, Italy, who travels across the Atlantic to Argentina after his mother, who had gone there to work, falls ill and stops writing letters. This television series is also known internationally by titles such as Marco and Marco - From the Apennines to the Andes.

Two film adaptations exist. The first is a compilation film, 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother: The Movie, released in 1980, which used edited footage from the 1976 television series. The second is a remake film, Marco: 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother, released in 1999 by Nippon Animation. This later film, also known as Marco - Carry a Dream, features a new production and a theme song titled Carry a Dream, but did not involve the original staff from the 1976 series.

Recurring themes in the anime works derived from De Amicis's writing include the powerful bond between mother and child, the resilience of a young protagonist facing immense hardship, the experience of poverty and Italian emigration to South America in the late 19th century, and the ultimate reward of familial love and reunion. These themes reflect De Amicis's own interests in the plight of Italian emigrants, a subject he explored in other works like Sull'oceano. His literary identity is marked by a strong sentimental humanism, patriotic elements, and later in life, a commitment to socialism, which informed his compassionate portrayal of working-class struggles.

In the anime industry, Edmondo De Amicis is significant as one of the key original authors whose work was adapted for the World Masterpiece Theater series. This long-running and influential staple of Japanese television animation frequently turned to European children's literature, and De Amicis's Cuore provided the basis for two separate anime productions. The 1976 series 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother is considered a classic of the genre and remains highly regarded in countries around the world, including Japan, Italy, Spain, and throughout Latin America and the Arab world. His work, therefore, holds a notable place in the history of international anime co-productions and adaptations.