TV Asahi Corp. is betting on nostalgia and India’s growing appetite for Japanese animation with a revival of its popular 1980s series “Obocchama-kun” after a three-decade hiatus.
The Tokyo-based broadcaster has partnered with Sony Pictures Networks India to produce 26 episodes for the SONY YAY! children’s channel, targeting a spring 2025 release. The companies showcased the project at MIPCOM 2024 in Cannes and Tokyo’s TIFFCOM trade fair.
The new series, developed by TV Asahi’s Shinei Animation and produced by India’s Green Gold Animation, follows the adventures of a wealthy elementary school student known for his eccentric behavior and unique speaking style.
The collaboration marks a strategic shift in anime production, as Japanese studios increasingly look to international partnerships to tap growing global demand. India, with its massive youth population, represents a key growth market for Japanese animation content.
The original series, based on Yoshinori Kobayashi’s manga published by Shogakukan Inc., ran for nearly four years on TV Asahi starting in 1989. Its earlier broadcast in India generated strong viewer response, prompting discussions for a modern adaptation.
Each new episode will run for 22 minutes, split into two segments, maintaining the original’s comedic elements while adapting to contemporary viewing preferences.
