Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō

Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō

DVD Cover of the "Shimajirō Anime: Oyako no Pokapoka Kessaku Sen", featuring the members of the Shimano Family.
しましまとらのしまじろう
Genre Educational, Comedy, Slice of life
Manga
Written by Tan Hakata
Published by Benesse
Demographic Kodomo
Magazine Kodomo Challenge
Original run April 1988 – present
Anime television series
Directed by Hisayuki Toriumi
Music by Shin'ya Naitō
Studio Studio Kikan, now Pierrot Plus
Network TV Setouchi
TX Network (TV Tokyo, TV Osaka)
Original run December 13, 1993 – March 31, 2008
Episodes 726
Anime television series
Hakken Taiken Daisuki! Shimajirō
Directed by Akira Shigino
Masahiro Nakata
Music by Akifumi Tada
Studio Pierrot Plus
Network TV Setouchi
TX Network (TV Tokyo, TV Osaka)
Original run April 7, 2008 – March 29, 2010
Episodes 101
Anime television series
Shimajirō Hesoka
Directed by Masahiro Nakata
Music by Akifumi Tada
Studio Pierrot Plus
Network TV Setouchi
TX Network (TV Tokyo, TV Osaka)
Original run April 5, 2010 – March 26, 2012
Episodes 101
Anime television series
Shimajirō: A World of Wow!
Directed by Masahiro Nakata
Music by Akifumi Tada
Studio Azeta Pictures
The Answer Studio
Network TV Setouchi
TX Network (TV Tokyo, TV Osaka)
Original run April 2, 2012 – present
Episodes 175
See Also

Shimajirō to Fufu no Daibōken: Sukue! Nanairo no Hana (2013)
Shimajiro to Kujira no Uta (2014)
Shimajirō to Ōkina Ki (2015)
Shimajirō to Kuni Ehon (2016)

Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō (しましまとらのしまじろう, lit. "Striped Island Tiger Shimajirō") is a 1993 Japanese children's slice of life anime series primarily aimed at preschoolers, animated by Pierrot Plus. It is created and directed by veteran director Hisayuki Toriumi, who directed Science Ninja Team Gatchaman and character designs by Shigehito Tsuji. It aired at TV Setouchi and in all TXN TV networks in Japan from December 13, 1993, to March 31, 2008, becoming the 19th longest running anime in Japan from its debut to its final episode with a total of 726 episodes

The series is officially based on the Kodomo Challenge Educational Learning Program created by Benesse in 1988 aimed primarily to preschoolers, which Shimajirō serves as the official mascot. The anime is listed as one of the most popular Educational Preschool shows in Japan, with having a total of 8 seasons that continues to 3 anime sequels. It was widely popular among children, parents and adults, gaining a decent fanbase over the years.

Overview

Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō was officially created after Benesse and TV Setouchi both decided to adapt the Learning Program series into a full-pledged series for television, with part of the staff being former Tatsunoko Production director Hisayuki Toriumi and music composer Shin'ya Naitō. It was officially animated by Studio Pierrot's sister company, Pierrot Plus and premiered on December 13, 1993. The series ended after it aired its final episode on March 31, 2008, as the second series aired, alongside the children's variety series Hakken Taiken Daisuki! Shimajirō (はっけん たいけん だいすき! しまじろう, lit. "Discover Experience Love! Shimajirō"). All of the later episodes of the series were aired in the variety series in the later years which also includes live action segments.[1]

Theme and elements

The overall theme surrounding the series all revolves in Shimajirō's life as a preschooler and all the lessons he needs to learn in a daily basis such as making friends, saying sorry, making a resolve and others that reflects to the preschool demographic. Also educational elements such as planting flowers, how to use the toilet for the first time, helping others and learning in kindergarten is also applied.

The anime's overall elements are all based on the Kodomo Challenge series, with the storyline being completely original from the source material.

Setting

The anime is officially set in the fictional Challenge Island (ちゃれんじ島 Charenji shima) located somewhere in the world. The island, inhabited by anthropomorphic animals, is suburban and very self-sufficient in resources. Various animal characters in the island vary as well as their culture such as the Mole People who live under the island or the Squirrel people who always hibernate during winter. Various means of transport as well as subways exist in the island. Aside from the animal characters, some characters such as Witches and Fairies exist in the island.

Story

The entire series focuses on Shimajirō Shimano, a curious tiger boy living in Challenge Island. Being the second in the family, he attends Kindergarten alongside his friends as they all discover everything around them, and learn valuable lessons as they grow up.

Characters

Shimajirō Shimano (縞野 しまじろう Shimano Shimajirō)[2][3]
Voiced by: Chisato Nakajima (First Series), Omi Minami (Current Series)

The series's main protagonist, Shimajirō is a male tiger cub and the only son of Shimano family.[4][5] He is a bright little boy who likes doughnuts and playing soccer.[6] He fears thunder and ghost stories, and doesn't like to eat green peppers.[7] He is very supportive to his friends and to his younger sister Hana, but can sometimes be a bit stubborn.

Mimirin Midorihara (緑原 みみりん Midorihara Mimirin)[3][8][9]
Voiced by: Naoko Watanabe (First Series), Miki Takahashi (Current Series)

One of Shimajirō's childhood friends, Mimirin is a white female bunny with back ear tips. Living in a family of Florists,[8][9] Mimirin loves cute things and strawberry shortcake[10][11] as well as running.[12] However she has fear of insects and is never fond of carrots.[10] Usually she also has an overbite and her tail appears out of her skirt. She can be nice but spoiled, selfish and clumsy and has a habit on crying if someone doesn't favor her opinion sometimes. Mimirin is also a good aspiring singer as well and also likes to be a princess.[13] She was one of two characters in the series (the other being Ramurin) to not have an older sibling, but after Ramurin left Challenge Island in the series finale of Shimajirō Hesoka, Mimirin became the only one.[8][14]

Torippii Sorano (空野 とりっぴい Sorano Torippii)[3][15]
Voiced by: Yūko Mita (First Series), Takumi Yamazaki (Current Series)

Also one of Shimajirō's childhood friends, Torippī is a male green bird. He usually has red, blue and yellow feathers on his head and has few tail feathers on his back, as well as a loose tongue. In earlier series, he only wore a shirt, but started wearing shorts as of Shimajirō no Wow. His name in the series is always mispronounced in several promotional materials.[16] Torippii is an aspiring singer,[17] but is somehow tone-deaf.[15] He usually likes Takoyaki but like Shimajirō, he is easily scared of thunder, ghost stories and lastly by ghosts. Torippī, being a bird, has an ability to fly to survey things for his friends, and also can understand non-anthropomorphic birds. He usually lives with his grandmother and parents in a treehouse and is the oldest of four siblings.

Ramurin Makiba (牧場 らむりん Makiba Ramurin)[18]
Voiced by: Chisato Nakajima (First Series, earlier Seasons), Hinako Yoshino (First Series, later Seasons), Saori Sugimoto (Current Series)

Also one of Shimajirō's childhood friends, Ramurin is a pink female lamb. Unlike other sheep, she herself doesn't have a white face. She initially wore a bow on her head but replaced it with a bandana in later episodes. Her own father is a painter, and aspires her to become one when she grows up one day.[19] She loves Pudding,[20] but she has fears of ghosts and she is not good at running fast. She also likes both sports Judo and Sumo. Unlike the other characters, Ramurin's mentality is much higher than the rest of the main cast and usually behaves like a responsible sister. Her catch phrase is "suspicious" and usually keeps her promises sometimes. Like Mimirin, she doesn't have any older sibling.[14][18] She officially left Challenge Island along with her father during the last episode of Shimajirō Hesoka, and moved to France to achieve her goals. As a result, she is the only character who doesn't appear in any of the movies.[21]

Nyakkii Momoyama (桃山 にゃっきい Momoyama Nyakkii)[22]
Voiced by: Saori Sugimoto

First introduced in Shimajirō: A World of Wow!, Nyakkii is a pink-furred cat with a cream-colored face.[23] She loves climbing trees, foot racing and sports, and dreams to become an Olympic athlete one day when she grows up.[24] She moved into Challenge Island with her grandmother, mother and her younger brother and befriended Shimajirō and the others in the second episode. Her father, however, lives separately somewhere in Challenge Island.[25]

Music

The official music of the series is composed by Shin'ya Naitō in the first series and by Akifumi Tada of Tenchi Muyo! GXP in the later series.

The series officially has 7 Opening Songs and 7 Ending Songs. For the first series, the first opening is titled Shima Torando Island (しまとらンドアイランド Shima torando airando) by Shima Shima Kids and the second Opening is titled Skip Step Island (スキップステップアイランド Sukippu suteppu airando) by Omi Minami. The ending songs are titled Zutto Motto Daisuki (ずっともっと大好き Zutto Motto Daisuki) by Shima Shima Kids, the second ending titled Happy Jam Jam (ハッピー・ジャムジャム Happī jamu jamu) by M.S.J and the third ending is titled Nyanda Korya (にゃんだこりゃ Nyanda korya) by both Omi Minami and Bin Shimada

For Hakken Taiken Daisuki! Shimajirō, the opening theme is titled Mainichi Challenger (まいにちチャレンジャー Mai ni chi charenjā, lit. Everyday Challenger) by Omi Minami, Miki Takahashi, Takumi Yamazaki and Saori Sugimoto. The ending song is titled Happy Jam Jam (ハッピー・ジャムジャム Happī jamu jamu), also by Omi Minami, Miki Takahashi, Takumi Yamazaki and Saori Sugimoto.

For Shimajirō Hesoka, the first opening is titled Sora Sora ☆ Aozora (ソラソラ☆あおぞら Sora sora ☆ aozora) by Aki Toyosaki and the second opening is titled Rainbow (レインボー Reinbō) by Yusuke Kamiji. The first ending song is titled Shima Mimi to Rira mutsu (しまみみとりらむっ Shima Mimi to Rira mutsu) by Fusanosuke Kondō and the second ending theme is Happy Jam Jam (HE SO KA Version) (ハッピー・ジャムジャム （HE SO KAバージョン） Happī jamu jamu (HE SO KA bājon)) by Tomomi Ukumori

For Shimajirō: A World of Wow!, the first opening is titled Bokura no hoshi no Miracle (ボクらのほしのミラクル Bokura no hoshi no mirakuru) by Daudi Joseph and the second opening is titled Shimajirō to ikou yo (しまじろうと いこうよ Shimajirō to ikou yo) by HARCO. The ending theme is titled Tomodachi no Wow! (トモダチのわお! Tomodachi no wao!) by Puffy AmiYumi.

Critical reception

On its first airing, Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō became TV Setouchi's most popular educational anime show in Japan, rivaling NHK's long running Okaasan to Issho. The series became most popular in the Kanto Region of Japan, and became Benesse's most successful adaptation of the Kodomo Challenge series. Reruns of the episodes are broadcast on other stations such as Kids Station and TV Tokyo.

Awards

The latest series was also nominated in the 2016 International Emmy Awards for best animated series, alongside Ronia the Robber's Daughter.[26]

Mascot popularity

The anime also made Shimajirō one of the most iconic Anime Characters in Japan for preschoolers, rivaling Anpanman in terms of ratings. On his initial release. He was widely appeared in various Kodomo Challenge products and products from other companies and sponsors. Also, Tomica and Benesse created a limited edition "Shimajiro Car" that is limitedly distributed to Kodomo Challenge members all over Japan.[27] Japanese car company Toyota created a life-sized replica of the Tomica model, titled the "426GT Shimajirō Car "[28] which is a Customized Toyota Estima Hybrid. In 2013, a new version of the car is released by called "426EV Shimajirō Car II", based on the Tesla Model S.[29][30] Tomica released a model version of the car under the name "Dream Car Tomica Shimajiro II" on February 2014 for Kodomo Challenge members and a retail release on March 2014.[31]

Overseas popularity

Shimajiro display in Mianyang, Sichuan, China

Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō is officially released in various TV stations all across the world, excluding the United States. The Chinese dubbed version was known as Qiao Hu (Chinese: 巧虎; pinyin: qiǎo hǔ). In China it is known for having "...thoughtful and scrupulous tutoring methods, as well as elaborate educational materials." The show contains cartoons as well as acted out portions that feature the signature tiger mascot as well as a rabbit and a few actors.[32]

According to another source, the firm which sponsored the character has franchises in Beijing and Shanghai which has been considered "successful" by many parents for its ability to inspire children with "good character" amid China's recent social issues.[33] This idea is further reinforced as it teaches children "how to love to learn" "build positive personality and good habit", addressing the need in children's different stages of learning.[34] In 2014, the firm plans big staging events in Beijing under the title "Dawn of the Adventure Island" in Beijing's Haidian Theater. The anticipated event is notable in that it is one of the first shows targeted towards an audience of children rather than "... conventional justice evil drama of violence and adult language of thinking... ", which is referring to another children's show called "Xi Yang Yang.[35] According to Amazon.com, the franchise was released on DVD in the year 2010.[36]

References

  1. ↑ "Kids' Anime Character Shimajirō Gets His 1st Film". Anime News Network. November 8, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  2. ↑ Kodomo Challenge [kodomochallenge] (June 23, 2011). "おはようございます。またお声をいただいたので、お知らせです。しまじろうの名字「しまの」は｢縞野」と書きます！「しまじろう」はひらがなです。" [Good morning. Also, since I received your voice, it is let us know. Shimajiro of surname "stripes" is written as "Shimano"! "Shimajiro" is the hiragana.] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved March 13, 2016 – via Twitter.
  3. 1 2 3 Shimajiro TV [shimajiroTV] (February 14, 2011). "しまじろうヘソカ：ここまでにつぶやいてきましたキャラクターたちの名字をまとめます！しまじろうは「縞野（しまの）」くん、みみりんは「緑原（みどりはら）」さん、とりっぴいは「空野（そらの）」くんです。どうぞよろしく♪" [Shimajiro Hesoka: summarizes the last name of the character who has been tweeting up here! Shimajiro is "Shimano (stripes)" kun, Mimirin is kun "MidoriGen (Midori Hara)" Mr., and Rippiiwa "empty field (of the sky)." Best regards ♪] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved March 13, 2016 – via Twitter.
  4. ↑ shimajiroTV (23 Feb 2011). "しまじろうヘソカ：しまじろうの誕生日は５月５日午後５時５５分です。ＧＯ！ＧＯ！な（？）男の子なんですよ～♪♪　どうぞよろしく！！" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. ↑ shimajiroTV (24 Feb 2011). "しまじろうヘソカ：誕生日まとめてご紹介！しまじろう５／５（午後５時55分）、みみりん10／10（午前10時10分）、とりっぴい１／１（朝７時）、らむりん３／３（朝３時３分）です。同じ誕生日のかたも、そうでないかたも、どうぞよろしく♪♪" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ↑ kodomochallenge (14 Jun 2011). "しまじろうだよ。 ぼくは サッカーが すきだよ。 きみは どんなあそびが すき？ twitpic.com/5bp4y5" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    shimajiroTV (28 Feb 2011). "しまじろうヘソカ：しまじろうの好物といえば、ドーナツ！！…知ってましたか？おやつのシーンではかなりの確率でドーナツ！！しまじろうは食べ物の好き嫌いがほとんどないのですが、ドーナツは別格みたいです(^^)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. ↑ 【しまじろうと ちゃれんじじまの なかまたち】、こどもちゃれんじ。(2013/2/25閲覧)
  8. 1 2 3 shimajiroTV (2 Feb 2011). "しまじろうヘソカ：今日はみみりんのヘソカをご紹介します。「緑原（みどりはら）みみりん」10月10日午前10:10生まれ、Ｂ型さんです。お花屋さんを営む緑原家のひとり娘です。" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. 1 2 shimajiroTV (7 Feb 2011). "しまじろうヘソカ：「緑原（みどりはら）みみりん」の家はお花屋さんです。パパの名前は「草太（そうた）」さん、ママの名前は「れんげ」さん。お花屋さんらしいお名前ですね。" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. 1 2 shimajiroTV (7 Mar 2011). "しまじろうヘソカ：みみりんの好きな食べ物は「いちごのショートケーキ」。そして、そして、嫌いな食べ物は、なんと・・・「にんじん」！！" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    shimajiroTV (5 Feb 2011). "しまじろうヘソカ：みみりんの名字は「緑原（みどりはら）」。キャラクターにぴったりの名字だと思いませんか～？　かわいいものが大好き、虫が苦手な女の子です。あるとき、しまじろうの家の近くに引っ越してきて、しまじろうと友達になったんですよ。" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ↑ kodomochallenge (6 Oct 2011). "RT@kodomochallenge 10/10にお誕生日を迎えるみみりんの好きなものご存知ですか？みみりんはいちごのショートケーキが大好きです。明日のバースデーケーキはもちろんいちごのショートケーキかな。10/10みみりんへのお誕生日おめでとうメッセージお待ちしております！" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ↑ kodomochallenge (9 Oct 2012). "今日はみみりんのお誕生日です！みみりんは、将来なりたいものがいっぱい…。看護師さんにもなりたいし、おうちのお花屋さんにもなりたいし、足が速いからオリンピックにも出たいんですって。がんばって！ow.ly/i/WXMm" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ↑ kodomochallenge (11 Oct 2011). "10/10はみみりんのお誕生日でした。メッセージをくださったみなさま、ありがとうございました！みみりんは本当は、お姫様になりたいそうです。王子様、現れるかな～。がんばって！！" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  14. 1 2 shimajiroTV (17 Feb 2011). "しまじろうヘソカ：しまじろうの妹は「はなちゃん」。とりっぴいの弟と妹は三つ子で「とと・りり・ぴぴ」と言います。みみりんと、らむりんは一人っ子です。" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  15. 1 2 shimajiroTV (9 Feb 2011). "しまじろうヘソカ：とりっぴいは空野（そらの）家の長男、弟２人・妹１人の３人の頼りになるお兄ちゃんです。血液型はＯ型、好きなものはたこ焼きです！" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  16. ↑ shimajiroTV (12 Feb 2011). "しまじろうヘソカ：とりっぴいの名字は「空野」。よく間違えられるのですが、「とりっぴー」でも「トリッピー」でも「とりっぴぃ」でもなく、「とりっぴい」です。どうぞよろしく！<>゜)))彡" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  17. ↑ kodomochallenge (20 Dec 2011). "【こたえ】とりっぴいです！歌を歌うのが好きで、将来の夢はもちろん歌手。そんなとりっぴいのフルネームわかりますか。RT@kodomochallenge【クイズ】1/1が誕生日のちゃれんじえんのお友だちがいます！誰かわかりますか？" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. 1 2 shimajiroTV (14 Feb 2011). "しまじろうヘソカ：らむりんの名字は「牧場（まきば）」。３月３日午前３時３分に生まれました。芸術一家の牧場家のひとり娘、血液型はＡＢ型です。" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ↑ kodomochallenge (1 Mar 2012). "らむりんは絵を描くのが大好き。結構上手なんですよ。将来はお父さんみたいに絵描きさんになりたいんですって。3/3らむりんへのお誕生日おめでとうメッセージお待ちしております！RT@kodomochallenge牧場らむりんです！ow.ly/i/tO12" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  20. ↑ kodomochallenge (29 Feb 2012). "そんならむりんのお誕生日がもうすぐです！お絵描きがとっても上手で、プリンが大好きならむりん。おめでとうメッセージお待ちしております。 lockerz.com/s/188436671" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ↑ kodomochallenge (28 May 2012). "らむりんはおとうさんの仕事の都合でフランスに行ってしまいました。とってもさみしいですが、もうお友だちがいっぱいできて、フランスのおいしいおやつをいっぱい食べていると思います！RT @babaranbabaranなんでラムリンいなくなってしまったんですか…もう戻ってこないのですか？" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  22. ↑ kodomochallenge (31 Mar 2013). "桃山にゃっきいです！にゃっきいが将来なりたいもの、ご存知ですか？RT@kodomochallenge【こたえ】にゃっきいです！にゃっきいのフルネーム知っていますか。ow.ly/i/1AfcP" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  23. ↑ kodomochallenge (30 Mar 2013). "【こたえ】にゃっきいです！かけっこや木登りが大好きなねこの女の子。にゃっきいのフルネーム知っていますか。RT@kodomochallenge【クイズ】来週4/4にお誕生日を迎えるちゃれんじえんのお友だち、誰かわかりますか？ow.ly/i/1AfcP" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  24. ↑ kodomochallenge (3 Apr 2013). "にゃっきいは陸上のオリンピック選手になるのが夢なんです。4/4にゃっきいへのお誕生日おめでとうメッセージお待ちしております！RT@kodomochallenge桃山にゃっきいです！にゃっきいが将来なりたいもの、ご存知ですか？ow.ly/i/1AfcP" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  25. ↑ kodomochallenge (1 Apr 2013). "@KIHA183104 ママの名前、難問です笑　にゃっきいのパパは今は他の島で働いていて、にゃっきいたちとは別に暮らしています。 いただいたツイートのように、おうちごとに、にゃっきいのパパがどんなパパなのかを想像していただけると嬉しいです＾＾" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  26. ↑ "Ronia the Robber's Daughter, Shimajiro's WOW! Nominated for Int'l Kids Emmys". Anime News Network. 2015-10-12. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  27. ↑ kodomochallenge (15 Jul 2011). "今日大活躍のしまじろうカー。トミカもあるんです。もちろん今もありますよ！編集部にあるのは、非売品でボディーにハートと20のマーク入り。こどもちゃれんじ20周年の時に作りました。残念ですが、これは売ってません。。。。" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    kodomochallenge (19 Jul 2011). "先日、ご紹介したしまじろうカーのトミカ。て前側のものは市販品ですので、現在もお求めいただけます。ぜひどうぞー！奥のもの20周年記念で作ったは非売品ですので、販売していません。申し訳ありません。" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  28. ↑ kodomochallenge (15 Jul 2011). "休憩中のしまじろうカーと、ひなたおねねさん。津波が来たのを忘れてしまうくらい、海がとっても穏やかできれいです。 twitpic.com/5qebrt" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  29. ↑ kodomochallenge (24 Feb 2014). "「ドリームトミカ　しまじろうカーⅡ」への反響が大きくてウレシイです★ 「リアル・しまじろうカー」やらないかな？とコメントをいただきましたが、もうあるんです。リアルしまじろうカー。電気自動車です＾＾" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  30. ↑ kodomochallenge (24 Feb 2014). "うしろは、こんな感じです。" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  31. ↑ kodomochallenge (20 Feb 2014). "新しいしまじろうカーが、ドリームトミカに！ サスペンションがついた気持ちいい走りと、市販品と異なる青い箱が特長の 「ドリームトミカ　しまじろうカーⅡ」 しましまフレンズに新登場！" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  32. ↑ "Education firms expand to Asia".
  33. ↑ "Shimao Qiaohu joy of Westlake Hangzhou station upcoming national tour will be staged jubilant".
  34. ↑ "Qiaohu teaches children to love to learn".
  35. ↑ "March and Qiaohu Towards Adventure Island".
  36. ↑ "Qiaohu's Small World: 1-2 Year Old (Mandarin Chinese Edition) (2010)".
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