Kids

TV Asahi is strengthening its position in the global animation and character IP business with the launch of PicoAni, a new short-form anime brand and programming block designed to respond to the fast-changing viewing habits of younger audiences.
The Japanese broadcaster has unveiled PicoAni as a strategic platform for compact, highly engaging animated content that can travel easily across platforms, languages and territories. The brand’s name combines “Pico,” meaning small, with “Anime,” reflecting its focus on short-form storytelling for an audience increasingly shaped by TikTok, YouTube Shorts and other mobile-first viewing environments.

The initiative is not only a domestic programming move, but also a broader international IP strategy. PicoAni will bring together a range of character-driven titles aimed at Gen-Z viewers, children, young adults and families, while also opening new opportunities in licensing, merchandising, broadcasting and streaming.

Among the first titles announced is momomo! Ninimo, a non-verbal 3DCG comedy co-produced with The Pinkfong Company, the global entertainment group behind Baby Shark. Scheduled for release in January 2027, the series follows Nini, a clumsy orange cat already familiar to Pinkfong fans, and Mo, a mysterious tiny companion. Built around slapstick comedy and expressive visual storytelling, the show has been conceived to overcome language barriers and appeal to family audiences worldwide.

The project underlines TV Asahi’s ambition to create animation properties with genuine global potential. By partnering with Pinkfong, a company with proven expertise in building internationally recognised children’s IP, TV Asahi is positioning PicoAni as a launchpad for characters that can move beyond broadcast into digital platforms, consumer products and cross-border brand extensions.

The PicoAni slate also includes Sirotan, the first TV anime adaptation of the beloved Japanese kawaii character. Releasing in October 2026, the series will bring the fluffy harp seal to television after more than 26 years as an iconic Japanese character brand. Its gentle, relaxing tone is designed to offer a warm and soothing viewing experience for audiences of all ages.

Another key title is Josemaru, set for January 2027. Originally born on social media, Josemaru is described as a fluffy “0-year-old stuffed dog” dealing with the pressures of adult life, from working five days a week to paying rent and coping with everyday stress. Combining 2D animation with live-action stop-motion techniques, the series targets Gen-Z audiences through relatable humour and emotionally honest catchphrases.

The lineup also features Koupenchan, the popular emperor penguin chick known for encouraging people through small everyday achievements, and Pop Pap Polters, a stop-motion miniature animation from internationally acclaimed creator Mozu, centred on three tiny ghosts living inside the walls of a house.