Excitement abounds as the television adaptation of Moyoco Anno’s charming manga “The Diary of Ochibi-san” unveils its second promotional video. The official website for the anime released the footage on Friday, showcasing picturesque scenes representing the fall and winter seasons. Naotarō Moriyama brings life to these vignettes with his enchanting theme song, “Romantic.”
In an effort to reach wider audiences, Studio Khara has taken the initiative to release the first episode of the anime on YouTube for everyone to enjoy.
The anime consists of 24 episodes, each five minutes in length, and made its debut on NHK on October 7 at midnight JST (October 7 at 11:00 a.m. EDT). Studio Khara, also known for their work on the “Evangelion” series, is the creative force behind this project. Directors Daisuke Onizuka and Shogo Tsurii lead the charge, with Onizuka having worked on the CGI for “Evangelion: 2.0, 3.0, 3.0+1.0,” and Tsurii as the CGI lead animator for “Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time.”
Combining their talents, Studio Khara oversees and authors the series’ scripts. Contributing to the nuanced and detailed direction are line directors Naoki Yoshibe, Taichi Atarashi, Aya Kobayashi, and Doromizu. The stunning CG animation direction is helmed by Masaki Ishikawa, Satoshi Yamauchi, and Yō Kyūda, while Shintarō Wakazuki, Ken Yamauchi, Takashi Suzuki, and Hiromitsu Saitō capture the characters in their 3D models. Adding a musical dimension to the series, composer Satoru Kousaki, known for his work on “Vivy -Fluorite Eye’s Song-,” delivers a captivating soundtrack.
Azuki, an online platform, offers the manga in digital English translation, which gives readers a glimpse into the quaint and heartwarming world of Mametsubu-cho. Set in the historical backdrop of Kamakura, Japan, we follow the jovial Ochibi in his daily adventures. Alongside his companions — Nazeni the dog, Jack the mischievous cat, and the ever-so-hungry pooch Pankui — Ochibi embraces the joy and wonders brought forth by the shifting tides of each season.
“Even if I can make you smile, I can’t erase the tears you’ve cried.”
Whether it’s celebrating the floral beauty of spring, relishing the cool ocean in the summer, observing the fiery hues of autumn maples, or savoring the warmth of winter meals, “The Diary of Ochibi-san” masterfully illustrates the essence of life’s simple pleasures with gentle and affectionate artistry.
First serialized in the Monday edition of the Asahi Shimbun newspaper in August 2008, “The Diary of Ochibi-san” concluded in December 2019. During its publication run, Crunchyroll provided online access to the manga, and Asahi Shimbun Publishing compiled it into 10 volumes for fans to collect.
Prior to this anime series, “The Diary of Ochibi-san” was also adapted into a heartwarming stop-motion animation part of Hideaki Anno’s Japan Animator Expo project. The project was a collaboration between his Studio Khara and media company Dwango in 2014.
Sources: The Diary of Ochibi-san anime’s website, Comic Natalie
