Kotencotenco
Kotencotenco is a Japanese manga and anime series for young children by Atsuko Ueno. The anime was produced by NAS and TV Tokyo. Kotencotenko replaces the previous anime series: Onmyou Taisenki on the TV Tokyo Thursdays 06:00pm – 06:30pm slot.
Story
Kotencotenco is a gag strip anime for especially younger children. Featuring the flourishes of the Prince of Heaven Kingdom, Kotenco. It's up to him and his friends to stop The Baron, and his cronies from stealing the Angel Stars for The Great Demon King, who is aiming to take over Heaven Kingdom. Kotenco is normally very kind, but will transform into Matenco, his trouble-making counterpart when in bad spirit. Matenco is transformed back into Kotenco when Pick calls upon The Queen to replace Matenco's halo.
Characters
Heaven Kingdom
The main character of the anime, and the Prince of Heaven. Kotenco is usually a kind child with a good heart, but when faced with challenges too overwhelming, the light from his halo leaves- resulting into the transformation of Matenco, which Kotenco has no memory of once transforming back to himself. His favorite food is soft noodles.
The transformed counterpart of Kotenco. Unlike Kotenco, Matenco is mischievous and almost impossible to control when he becomes destructive. However, he will only listen to the words of Pick-chan. Despite his roughhousing nature, it serves as an advantage for stopping The Baron's plans.
The motherly figure to Kotenco who rules over Heaven. The Queen is kind, and wishes the best for Kotenco. The secret of Matenco was entrusted to Pick-chan, as well as the communication ring used to call upon her. The Queen replaces Matenco's halo with a golden one, transforming him back into Kotenco after being alerted by Pick-chan.
Kotenco's teacher and main assistant to The Queen. He originally lived in the Ground Kingdom. Mumu is also known to make inventions. In the original story and OVA, his name was Aimu.
Kotenco's 6 older brothers
Kotenco's older brother who he looks up to the most. Dawn works closely with The Queen, and is able to engage in combat when he wants to. He often patrols the kingdom.
Occasionally seen with Dawn, helping out on certain missions.
A fallen brother of Kotenco that went missing some time ago. Ru was the one linked to creating the curse of Matenco, when Kotenco was born, under the Great Demon King's command. Ru enjoys being evil, but later on saves Kotenco and his friends.
Fairy Kingdom
Kotenco's best friend, and the granddaughter of Choro. She's a strong willed, but kind fairy who cares deeply for Kotenco, Nappa, and even Matenco. Pick-chan dreams of becoming an idol, but is unfortunately extremely tone deaf. When Matenco is on the loose, she calls The Queen through her communicator ring to transform him back into Kotenco.
Pick-chan's younger brother. He's a bit shy, and is also very good friends with Kotenco.
The leader of the Fairy Kingdom, he is friends with The Queen and also knows the secret of Matenco.
Ground Kingdom
Under the orders of the Great Demon King, he is sent to steal the Angel Stars. Although Baron can be cunning with his plans, he's easily frazzled and can be the cause of his own downfall. Matenco sees Baron as his "playmate," and almost always sends Baron running off, empty handed. Baron is the leader of his two subordinates, Urusasinu & Nekoumori who he also lives with. While he can get annoyed by their incompetence, he deeply cares for them.
Nekoumori lives inside of The Baron's hat. His name is a combination of the Japanese words "cat" & "bat;" ねこ + こうもり. Nekoumori is lazy and often sleeps when he wants, even refusing orders. His favorite food is Miso onigiri.
A hyperactive dog, who is extremely loyal to The Baron. Urusainu repeats words usually 3 times in a row, and is reckless. His name is a combination of the Japanese words "noisy" & "dog;" うるさい + いぬ.
The Baron's housekeeper. Otaka-san is very motherly and charitable, but also has a scary temper. In one episode, she develops an intense crush on Dawn and leaves to find him, leaving Baron & co starving unable to take care of themselves without her. In the original story, she was a spy sent by The Great Demon King to report back on Baron's activities.
Otaka-san's child. Kurikuri can only say his own name. In the original story, he was born from an Angel Star that fell into the Ground Kingdom.
The ruler of the Ground Kingdom. He was originally a resident of Heaven, but because he had such an evil heart, he became fallen and banished. He is responsible for putting the curse of Matenco onto Kotenco, during Kotenco's birth. Baron is ordered to steal Angel Stars for him, but always fails, causing Agu to create earthquakes. Agu is bound to his throne, immobile until the very end of the series. In the author's original vision, he was intended to be redeemed.
Database
Opening/Ending themes
- ;Opening: Let's Sing Together! by Sae
- ;Ending: Stories of the Stars by Kawai Eri
- ;2nd Opening: Go, Go, Koten-Go! by Tenkara-Mail
- ;2nd Ending: Kotenco Exercise by Tenkara-Mail
Video game
A minigame collection called Atama de DO! Kotencotenco was made by Dorasu for the Nintendo DS and released on 29 March 2007 in Japan.
CDs
3 CDs were released in 2005 and 2006. 2 featured the 1st and 2nd intros and outros, along with karaoke tracks. The 3rd CD was released as a soundtrack / drama CD, featuring background music from the anime, and 3 stories.
Traffic Safety OVA
A traffic safety OVA called Anime de tanoshiku manabu kotsu anzen tenshi no Kotenkotenko meant to teach young children about traffic safety, and was released before the anime's broadcast.