Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō


Shima Shima Tora No Shimajirō is a 1993 Japanese children's anime series based on the educational learning program Kodomo Challenge by Benesse. It is directed by veteran director Hisayuki Toriumi, with character designs by Shigehito Tsuji. The first Shimajiro series aired at TV Setouchi and all other TXN networks in Japan from December 13, 1993, to March 31, 2008. The second aired from April 7, 2008, to March 29, 2010. The third aired from April 5, 2010, to March 26, 2012, and the fourth and current one began airing and was titled as Shimajirō no Wow! on April 2, 2012.
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Overview

Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō was officially created after Benesse and TV Setouchi both decided to adapt the Learning Program series into a full-fledged series for television, with part of the staff being former Tatsunoko Production director Hisayuki Toriumi and music composer Shin'ya Naitō. It was officially animated by Studio Kikan and premiered on December 13, 1993. The series ended after it aired its final episode on March 31, 2008, as the second series aired, alongside the children's variety series Hakken Taiken Daisuki! Shimajirō, which was also animated by Kikan. All of the later episodes of the series were aired in the variety series in the later years which also includes live action segments.

Theme and elements

The overall theme surrounding the series all revolves in Shimajirō's life as a preschooler and all the lessons he needs to learn in a daily basis such as making friends, saying sorry, making a resolve and others that reflects to the preschool demographic. Also educational elements such as planting flowers, how to use the toilet for the first time, helping others and learning in kindergarten is also applied.
The anime's overall elements are all based on the Kodomo Challenge franchise, with the storyline being completely original from the source material.

Setting

The anime is officially set in the fictional Challenge Island located somewhere in the world. The island, inhabited by anthropomorphic animals, is suburban and very self-sufficient in resources. Various animal characters in the island vary as well as their culture such as the Mole People who live under the island or the Squirrel people who always hibernate during winter. Various means of transport as well as subways exist in the island.
Aside from the animal characters, some characters such as Witches and Fairies exist in the island.

Plot

The entire series focuses on Shimajiro Shimano, a curious tiger boy living in Challenge Island. Being the first child in the family, he attends Kindergarten alongside his friends as they all discover everything around them, and learn valuable lessons as they grow up.

Characters

Main characters

Shimano Tiger Family
;Shimajiro Shimano
;Mimirin Midorihara / Mimi-Lynne
;Torippii Sorano / Flappie
;Nyakkii Momoyama / Nikki
; Yoriko Momoyama
; Niisuke Momoyama

Supporting characters

;Ratman
;Dr. Meemee
;Mogu-chan
;Mogunosuke
;Mogutarō
;Pontarō / Pantaro
;Hitsujii / Hitsuji
;Leonard Gaogao III / Mr. Roarson
;Mrs. Tamako
;Ma-kun
;Nono-chan

Challenge Kindergarten Students and Teachers

;Zouta Ikeno
;Būta Tonda
;Kento Koshiba
;Kanta Kabayama
;Kirinta Kusano
;Monta Kimura
;Marurin Sasaki / Mary-Lynne
;Sakurako Koinuma
;Kikko Hayashida
;Tamasaburō Hyōdō
;Kumakkii Mashiro / Kumaki
;Ms. Shikako Shikano

Antagonists

;The Three Black Cat Brothers
;Jan Ken
;The Three Mole Brothers

Guest stars

Randy Brakes: Also known as Mr. Brake in the live action segment of Shimajiro. He appeared in the commercial episode "Children's Hope for English".
Bob: An English guest speaker who appeared in the live action segment of Shimajiro. He wears an alpine hat and teaches people how to speak English.

Media

Anime

The original series first aired on TV Setouchi and in all other TXN stations from December 13, 1993, to March 31, 2008, becoming the 19th longest running anime in Japan from its debut to its final episode with a total of 726 episodes, right behind Hello Kitty's Paradise and Hamtaro. The series' first opening theme is “Shima Torando Island” by Shima Shima Kids, which is used in the first 226 episodes, and the second opening theme is “Skip Step Island” by Omi Minami, which is used in the remaining 500 episodes. The first ending theme is titled “Zutto Motto Daisuki” by Shima Shima Kids, which is used in the first 176 episodes, the second ending theme is “Happy Jam Jam” by M.S.J, which is used in the remaining 550 episodes, and the third ending theme is “Nyanda Korya” by Omi Minami and Bin Shimada, which is also used in the remaining half 550 episodes.
The second series, Hakken Taiken Daisuki! Shimajirō, first aired on TV Setouchi and in all other TXN stations from April 7, 2008, to March 29, 2010. The series' opening theme is “Everyday Challenger”. The ending theme is “Happy Jam Jam”. Both of which were performed by Omi Minami, Miki Takahashi, Takumi Yamazaki and Saori Sugimoto.
The third series, Shimajirō Hesoka, first aired on TV Setouchi and all other TXN stations from April 5, 2010, to March 26, 2012. The series' first opening theme is “SoraSora☆Aozora” by Aki Toyosaki for the first 51 episodes, and the second opening theme is “Rainbow” by Yusuke Kamiji for the remaining 50 episodes. The first ending theme is titled “Shima Mimi Tori Ramu” by Fusanosuke Kondō for the first 18 episodes, and later for the remaining 62 episodes, and the second ending theme is “Happy Jam Jam ” by Tomomi Ukumori for episodes 19 to 39.
The current series, Shimajirō no Wao!, began airing on April 2, 2012. The first opening theme is “Our Miraculous Planet” by Daudi Joseph from episodes 14 to 51, and later episodes 65 to 78, and then episodes 104 to 359, and starting in episode 515, the second opening is “Let's Go with Shimajirō” by HARCO from episodes 52 to 64, and later episodes 79 to 82, and the third opening theme is Sekai Wa Wao!. The first ending theme is ”Tomodachi no Wow!” by Puffy AmiYumi from episodes 1 to 193, and later starting in episode 206, and the second ending theme is ”Okinawa Wawawa” by Atsuko Hiyajou from episodes 194 to 205. This series was distributed for YouTube in the United States and Canada by WildBrain Spark.
The official music of the series is composed by Shin'ya Naitō. Akifumi Tada composed the music in Hakken Taiken Daisuki! Shimajirō. Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō is one of the longest running anime series in Japan behind Hello Kitty's Paradise and Hamtaro.

Films

Starting from Shimajirō: A World of Wow!, the series has 8 theatrical films produced.
  • Shimajirō to Fufu no Daibōken: Sukue! Nanairo no Hana
  • Shimajirō to Kujira no Uta
  • Shimajirō to Ōkina Ki
  • Shimajirō to Kuni Ehon
  • Shimajirō to Niji no Oashisu
  • Movie Shimajiro Maho no Shimano Daiboken
  • Shimajirō to Ururu no Heroland
  • Shimajirō to Sora Tobu Fune ; Delayed from a previous 2020 release due to COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The Adventures of the Magic Island of Qiaohu
  • ''Shimajirō to Kirakira Ōkoku no Ōji-sama''

Critical reception

On its first airing, Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō became TV Setouchi's most popular educational anime show in Japan, rivaling NHK's long running Okaasan to Issho. The anime is listed as one of the most popular Educational Preschool shows, with having a total of eight seasons that continues to three anime sequels, becoming Benesse's most successful adaptation of the Kodomo Challenge series. Reruns of the episodes are broadcast on other stations such as Kids Station and TV Tokyo.
The series became most popular in the Kanto region of Japan, and was widely popular among children, parents and adults, gaining a decent fanbase over the years. According to research done by Benesse in 2015, the series has 99.2% recognition among parents with children aged 0 to 6.

Awards

The latest series was also nominated in the 2016 International Emmy Awards for best animated series, alongside Ronia the Robber's Daughter. In 2021, episode Shimajiro: A World of WOW! Our Oceans received the Asian Academy Creative Award for Best Preschool Program and the ContentAsia Award for Best Kids TV Program.

Mascot popularity

The anime also made Shimajirō one of the most iconic anime characters in Japan for preschoolers, rivaling Anpanman in terms of ratings. On his initial release, he widely appeared in various Kodomo Challenge products and products from other companies and sponsors. Also, Takara Tomy and Benesse created a limited edition Tomica "Shimajiro Car" that is limitedly distributed to Kodomo Challenge members all over Japan. Japanese car company Toyota created a life-sized replica of the Tomica model, titled the "426GT Shimajirō Car " which is a Customized Toyota Estima Hybrid. In 2013, a new version of the car is released by called "426EV Shimajirō Car II", based on the Tesla Model S. Tomica released a model version of the car under the name "Dream Car Tomica Shimajiro II" in February 2014 for Kodomo Challenge members and a retail release in March 2014.
Japan Airlines had special "Shimajirō JET" liveries featuring Shimajirō characters on a mainline Boeing 737-800 registered JA330J from March 2019 to February 2020, as well as an Embraer 190 operated by subsidiary J-Air and registered JA254J, from September 2018 to September 2019.

Overseas popularity

Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō is officially released in various TV stations in Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia. The Mandarin dub version is called Qiaohu and is known for having "...thoughtful and scrupulous tutoring methods, as well as elaborate educational materials." The show contains cartoons as well as acted out portions that feature the signature tiger mascot as well as a rabbit and a few actors.
According to another source, the firm which sponsored the character has franchises in Beijing and Shanghai which has been considered "successful" by many parents for its ability to inspire children with "good character" amid China's recent social issues. This idea is further reinforced as it teaches children "how to love to learn" "build positive personality and good habit", addressing the need in children's different stages of learning. In 2014, the firm plans big staging events in Beijing under the title "Dawn of the Adventure Island" in Beijing's Haidian Theater. The anticipated event is notable in that it is one of the first shows targeted towards an audience of children rather than "... conventional justice evil drama of violence and adult language of thinking... ", which is referring to Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf. According to Amazon.com, the franchise was released on DVD in the year 2010.
In Taiwan, Shimajirō is the most popular character among children aged 0 to 6.