Netflix has a delightful surprise awaiting fans of Japan's beloved kawaii culture across the globe. On Thursday, the streaming giant unveiled that it is in the midst of crafting "My Melody & Kuromi," a Japanese stop-motion animated series dedicated to two cherished icons from Sanrio, the renowned creator of Hello Kitty. Helmed by the visionary stop-motion artist Tomoki Misato, the series is set to premiere on Netflix in July.
For decades, the characters of "My Melody & Kuromi" have held a special place in the hearts of Japanese audiences. Introduced by Sanrio in 1975, My Melody is described as "a candid, joyful girl who deeply cares for her younger brother" and "enjoys baking cookies with her mother." Kuromi, a newer addition to Sanrio's cute lineup since her debut in 2004, is My Melody's self-declared rival, portrayed as an endearing yet mischievous troublemaker. Both figures stand as favorites within the Sanrio universe.
"I'm absolutely delighted to announce this project during a significant year marking the 50th anniversary of My Melody and the 20th anniversary of Kuromi," expresses Misato, who is acclaimed in Japan for his work on the hit stop-motion anime series "Pui Pui Molcar." "This monumental endeavor has inspired us all to unite, embrace various challenges, and push the boundaries of stop-motion. I eagerly anticipate that viewers will cherish the thrilling tale unfolding in our meticulously crafted Mariland, the breathtaking action that pushes the limits of stop-motion, and, undeniably, the adorable and vibrant characters."
The series is penned by the Japanese playwright Shuko Nemoto, a passionate advocate of the Sanrio character world, who reveals that she crafted the storyline during the pandemic. "Having My Melody & Kuromi utter lines that I penned felt like the ultimate reward for me as a writer," Nemoto shares. "Due to the pandemic, I couldn't physically meet with director Misato or the producers. Instead, we connected remotely every week, carefully constructing this masterpiece together. This project is steeped in love for the beloved My Melody, who resonates with people of all ages. I firmly believe that everyone, from adults to children, will find favorite scenes and dialogues."
Produced by Toruku, a subsidiary of the formidable anime company WIT Studio (behind "Attack on Titan" and "Spy × Family"), this series marks the first stop-motion venture for the studio.
Following the success of Netflix's popular Japanese stop-motion series "Pokemon Resort" from last year, this latest offering aligns with the streamer's ongoing expansion into Japanese original content, amid the escalating global fascination with Japan's pop culture and traditional aesthetics. Other Japanese titles headed to Netflix this year include "Bullet Train Explosion," a cinematic reboot of the 50-year-old film that inspired the Hollywood blockbuster "Speed"; "Last Samurai Standing," the company's inaugural samurai action series; and the third season of the acclaimed sci-fi thriller "Alice in Borderland."
In its Thursday announcement, Netflix also shared heartfelt messages from My Melody & Kuromi to their fans.
My Melody exclaimed, "This summer, our animation with Kuromi-chan is set to begin! ♡ I can't wait to bring heaps of excitement to all my friends.♪ Stay tuned! ♡"
Kuromi added her own charm, stating, "A fresh anime featuring My Melody and me is on its way! All you KUROMIES across the globe, you'll be tuning in, won't you? Don't miss out on my cuteness. ★"
