TV Asahi has announced PicoAni, its first-ever short anime brand. The name combines “Pico” (small) and “Anime,” reflecting the brand’s focus on compact, character-driven animated content.
What Is PicoAni?
PicoAni is designed as an anime brand dedicated to developing and nurturing original characters over the long term. Its strategy covers three pillars: adapting popular social-media characters into anime, producing original character works in collaboration with prominent creators, and developing 3D animated titles co-created with overseas companies.
To support the brand, TV Asahi is adding two new anime broadcast slots — Saturdays at 16:29 and Sundays at 10:00 — alongside the existing Sunday 8:00 slot that currently airs Koupen-chan. The three combined slots will carry PicoAni titles, with the goal of building a broad global audience and cultivating long-term fan loyalty.
October Premieres
Shirotan
Shirotan follows the easygoing, fluffy daily life of a pure-white harp seal. The character was born in 1999 and has been beloved across generations ever since. Aoi Yuki voices the title role. The series airs every Saturday at 16:29.
Pop Pap Polters
Pop Pap Polters is a miniature anime from celebrated miniature creator Mozu, whose work has earned acclaim both in Japan and abroad. The series depicts the everyday lives of three small ghost brothers — Pop, Pap, and Porta — who live inside the walls of a house, rendered through miniature sets and stop-motion animation. It airs every Sunday at 10:00.
January 2027 Premieres
Josemaru
Josemaru is the TV anime adaptation of the character created by Inochiya. Josemaru is a zero-year-old stuffed dog built around the concept of “a small life living in reality,” and has gone viral on social media for relatable struggles with money and human relationships. The anime will be produced as a hybrid of 2D and stop-motion animation.
Inochiya commented: “Thank you to everyone who has always watched over Josemaru alongside us. The dream of an anime adaptation has come true, and I’ve been so happy I can barely contain myself. I can’t wait to watch Josemaru on TV together with all of you!!”
Momomo! Ninimo
Momomo! Ninimo is a co-production between TV Asahi and The Pinkfong Company, the studio behind global hits such as “Baby Shark Dance.” The series centers on Ninimo — a character who has appeared alongside Pinkfong, the company’s flagship character — in a lively, comedic adventure.
Ju Haemin, Chief Business Officer of The Pinkfong Company and CEO of Pinkfong Japan, said: “We are deeply honored to bring ‘Momomo! Ninimo’ to Japanese audiences through our collaboration with TV Asahi. This project is significant in that it delivers a new form of animation through the partnership of our two companies. We hope it will bring smiles to viewers of all ages and languages, and offer a fresh content experience for children and families in Japan.”
Both series will air back-to-back every Sunday at 10:00 beginning in January 2027.
Producer’s Vision
TV Asahi General Producer Yukiko Shirakura described PicoAni’s ambition: “PicoAni aims to be a short anime brand where viewers can stumble upon an anime that instantly hooks them during the small gaps of everyday life — where a chance glance at a character leads to an unexpected obsession. Because these are small (Pico) anime, the creators’ passion and each character’s charm are packed in with incredible density. From social-media-born characters and beloved icons with over 20 years of history to originals co-developed with creators and overseas IP companies, we want to offer a rich variety so that everyone — children and adults alike — can find their own favorite piece. We hope PicoAni becomes the place where people meet their next beloved character.”
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