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Chibi Maruko-chan Creator Marks Anime's 25th Year by Writing Episode
posted on by Egan Loo
By Egan Loo
The television anime of Momoko Sakura's Chibi Maruko-chan manga is celebrating its 25th anniversary by airing a one-hour special on January 25. Chibi Maruko-chan Anime 25-Shūnen Kinen ~Tabi was Michizure, Ku Areba Raku Ari Bimi mo Ari Special (Chibi Maruko-chan Anime's 25th Anniversary Special - On a Trip With Companions, If There Are Hardships, There Is Also Comfort and Deliciousness) will feature a segment written by Sakura herself.
Sakura wrote the script for the segment "Maruko, Sanuki ni Iku no Maki" (Maruko Goes to Sanuki). The Sakura family embark on a trip to Kagawa Prefecure to grant Maruko-chan's wish to "eat Sanuki udon at its birthplace." The special will also feature an "Omoide no Album Corner" (Album of Memories Segment) that looks back at the television anime thus far.
Sakura serialized the original Chibi Maruko-chan manga in Shueisha's Ribon shōjo manga magazine from 1986 to 1996. She launched a four-panel version in Japanese newspaper in 2007, and she ended that version in 2011.
The original manga inspired the Chibi Maruko-chan television anime that is consistently the #2 rated anime series after Sazae-san. The first anime series ran from 1990 to 1992, and the ongoing second series premiered in 1995. The 1,000th television anime episode aired in 2012. The manga has also inspired several live-action series.
Source: Comic Natalie
Image © Sakura Production/Nippon Animation
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