In a bit of an unexpected announcement, Studio Ghibli has revealed its first-ever television series, an adaptation of Astrid Lindgren's children's fantasy novel, Ronja the Robber's Daughter.  The series will follow the adventures of Ronja, the daughter of a robber chieftain, as she meets the denizens of the dark pine forest in which she lives.  The series will premiere in Japan on August 31st and will be directed by Goro Miyazaki (From up on Poppy Hill).

Hit the jump for more.

News of Studio Ghibli's foray into television comes via a Facebook fan page, along with the series' first image (via NHK):

Studio Ghibli just announced its first ever TV series, and even more exciting it's an adaptation of a book by Astrid Lindgren. "Sanzoku no Musume Ronja", or "Ronja the Robber's Daughter", will be aired in Japan starting on August 31. It is a coproduction with 3DCG studio Polygon Pictures (known for animating some of Ghost in the Shell, among others), to be directed by Goro Miyazaki. More details are forthcoming.

The story is of a little girl named Ronja, the daughter of a colourful robber chieftain who lives in a castle high on a rock in a dark pine forest. She gets to know the creatures of the forest, meets another kid like herself, and questions her father's life of robbery.

As a fan of Studio Ghibli, and someone who loves Astrid Lindgren's book and the live-action film adaptation, I cannot say how excited I am!

It will be interesting to see the new route Studio Ghibli takes now that it is making TV animes.