Chibi Maruko-chan

ちびまる子ちゃん / Petite Maruko-chan / Little Miss Maruko

Genres: Comedy, Shoujo
Demographics: Shoujo
Studios: Nippon Animation
Producers: Fuji TV, Life Work, Sakura Production
Rating: 7.65 / 10
Rank: #1479
Popularity: #6068
Users Listed: 13,794
Users Scored: 6,332
NSFW: No
Last Updated: 04/14/2024
Aired: January 7, 1990 – September 27, 1992 (Winter)
Type: tv
Source: manga
Age Rating: G
Episodes: 142
Broadcast: Sunday at 18:00 (JST)

Synopsis:

The series centers on Momoko Sakura, a spirited elementary school student with a fondness for idols and manga, often affectionately nicknamed "Chibi Maruko-chan." Living in a close-knit town with family – parents, grandparents, and an older sister – Momoko navigates the everyday joys of childhood. Her days are filled with friendships forged in school, particularly with her steadfast companion Tama-chan, and the diverse personalities of classmates like the student council, and the B-class trio.

The anime offers a gentle exploration of childhood life, emphasizing the warmth found in simple routines and relationships. It portrays the importance of community and the small moments that shape personal growth. With a focus on relatable situations and lighthearted humor, the series provides a comforting and nostalgic viewing experience, celebrating the charm of youth and the bonds that tie people together within a familiar setting.

Episodes:

Episode 1: Maru-chan's Sibling Rivalry! / Maru-chan's in the New Year Mood! (Aired: 01/07/1990)
Episode 2: Here Comes the Tutor! / Maru-chan buys an Alarm Clock! (Aired: 01/14/1990)
Episode 3: Today is Sensei's Home Visit! / Let's Meet the Pretentious Kid! (Aired: 01/21/1990)
Episode 4: Maru-Chan Learns to Ride a Bike (part 1) / Maru-Chan Learns to Ride a Bike (part 2) (Aired: 01/28/1990)
Episode 5: Maru-Chan Gets a Certificate / Maru-Chan Catches a Cold (Aired: 02/04/1990)
... and 95 more episodes

Characters:

Honami, Tamae (Main) - Voice Actors: Watanabe, Naoko, Kim, Seon Hye
Sakura, Momoko (Main) - Voice Actors: Tarako, Schumann, Tanja, Aguilar, Montserrat
Fujiki, Shigeru (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Naka, Tomoko
Fuyuta, Misuzu (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Uemura, Noriko
Hamazaki, Noritaka (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Kashiwakura, Tsutomu, Orikasa, Ai
Hanawa, Kazuhiko (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Kikuchi, Masami, Böttcher, Oliver
Hasegawa, Kenta (Supporting)
Makimura, Maki (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Urawa, Megumi
Maruo, Sueo (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Tobita, Nobuo, Seidenberg, Mark
Migiwa, Hanako (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Narahashi, Miki, Shin, Na-ri
Mysterious Girl (Supporting)
Nagasawa, Kimio (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Chafurin
Narration (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Yamada, Keaton
Ooishi (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Yamamoto, Keiko
Pusadhi (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Amano, Yuri
Saijou, Hideji (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Chafurin
Sakura, Sumire (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Ichiryuusai, Teiyuu, Sperber, Traudel
Sakura, Hiroshi (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Yara, Yuusaku, Kröger, Marco
Sakura, Kotake (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Sasaki, Yuuko, Vidal, Yolanda
Sakura, Tomozou (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Tomiyama, Kei, Mendiola, Roberto
Sakura, Sakiko (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Mizutani, Yuuko
Sekiguchi, Shinji (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Tsukui, Kyousei
Togawa, Hideyuki (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Kakegawa, Hirohiko
Tomita, Tarou (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Matsui, Mami
Tsuchihashi, Toshiko (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Kawata, Taeko
Uesugi, Mari (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Orikasa, Ai
Yamada, Shouta (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Yamamoto, Keiko
Yokota, Yorie (Supporting)

Staff:

Kawakami, Daisuke (Producer)
Shibayama, Tsutomu (Director, Episode Director, Script, Storyboard)
Suda, Yumiko (Director)
Tanahashi, Kazunori (Director)
Ishizaki, Susumu (Episode Director, Storyboard)
Kobayashi, Tsuneo (Episode Director, Storyboard)
Miyashita, Shinpei (Episode Director, Storyboard)
Nakamura, Kouichirou (Episode Director, Storyboard)
Shimazu, Hiroyuki (Episode Director, Storyboard)
Takagi, Jun (Episode Director, Storyboard)
Takamatsu, Shinji (Episode Director, Storyboard)
Tomobuki, Ami (Episode Director, Storyboard)
Sakura, Momoko (Script, Theme Song Lyrics, Original Creator)
Kohanawa, Tameo (Storyboard)
Satou, Junichi (Storyboard)
Yuasa, Masaaki (Storyboard, Principle Drawing, Key Animation)
B.B.Queens (Theme Song Performance)
Tsubokura, Yuiko (Theme Song Performance)
Aohachi, Yoshinobu (Key Animation, Animation Director)
Funakoshi, Hideyuki (Character Design)
Gotou, Masako (Animation Director, Key Animation)
Hoshina, Yasuo (In-Between Animation)
Ichiki, Tsuyoshi (In-Between Animation)
Ikuno, Yuuko (Animation Director)
Iwasaki, Tomoko (In-Between Animation)
Kawaguchi, Hiroshi (Key Animation)
Kawauchi, Hideo (Character Design)
Kimura, Fumiyo (Key Animation)
Maruo, Miho (Screenplay)
Matsuda, Akihiko (Sound Effects)
Mori, Yasuji (Key Animation, Screenplay)
Natori, Shinichi (Editing)
Nishio, Tetsuya (Animation Check, In-Between Animation)
Okino, Masahide (Director of Photography)
Onodera, Keiko (Editing)
Ootake, Masae (Animation Director)
Saida, Toshitsugu (Animation Director, Key Animation)
Saitou, Akio (Director of Photography)
Shigekuni, Yuuji (Character Design)
Shindou, Mitsuo (Animation Director)
Soeta, Kazuhiro (Key Animation)
Takeuchi, Akira (Animation Director)
Tsuji, Shigehito (Key Animation)
Tsurubuchi, Tomoaki (Editing)
Yamanaka, Eiji (Key Animation)
Yanase, Yuuji (In-Between Animation)

Reviews:

User Luckyin (Score: 9/10):
One of my favorite anime. It's very educative and it's fun to watch. It's very 2D* and chibi. It teachs you a lot of thing that normaly you wouldn't notice. It's something you can rewatch over and over without getting bore. I suggest to watch the chinese version (it's the version i watched).
User yorknell31 (Score: 9/10):
A great childhood anime and it is still popular in Japan. The story is simple yet heartwarming and funny. Almost all Japanese of all generations know this anime (and even has a museum created too).Who does not know Maruko and her unique family? WHo does not know the rich Hanawa? It provides a comical sketch of everyday life of Japanese people (back then). This anime also teaches us about Japanese culture indirectly. My favorite character? Hard to decide but probably ojiisan. Along with doraemon and sazae-san, this anime is truly anime of all generation.
User Akaza1990 (Score: 7/10):
So Chibi Maruko-chan was one of my first animes Ive ever watched so it will always have aplace in my heart. The Anime doesnt really have a story to it so you could refer it to SpongeBob or something. With that I mean you could start at episode 50 and it will still be funny As I said the story is not really there, the art is pretty old but I liked that. The sound is not perfect but I love the characters, especially the grandfather of Maruko-chan. He always wants to make Maruko happy and sometimes goes over the limits of a elderly! Enjoyment for meis 8/10.nnOverall its a solid anime. Its very old but gold. I would recommend this to all anime OG's.

News:

Winners of the 13th Seiyuu Awards (03/09/2019)

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Related Anime/Manga:

Chibi Maruko-chan: Watashi no Suki na Uta (anime - Sequel)
Chibi Maruko-chan (1995) (anime - Sequel)
Chibi Maruko-chan (manga - Adaptation)
Chibi Maruko-chan Movie (anime - Side Story)
10-shuunen da yo! Chibi Maruko-chan (anime - Summary)
FNS 27-Jikan TV: Nihon no Rekishi Anime (anime - Character)
Chibi Maruko-chan Pilot Film (anime - Other)
Planetarium Chibi Maruko-chan, Hoshi ni Negai wo (anime - Other)
Chibi Maruko-chan Movie: Italia kara Kita Shounen (anime - Other)
Planetarium Chibi Maruko-chan: Minamijuujisei ni Miserarete (anime - Other)