Shima Shima Tora No Shimajirō (しましまとらのしまじろう, lit. "Shimajiro the Striped Tiger") 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 (Science Ninja Team Gatchaman), 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 on April 2, 2012.
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 (はっけん たいけん だいすき! しまじろう, lit. "Discover Experience Love! 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.[2]
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 (ちゃれんじ島, Charenji jima) 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.
Shimajiro is a male yellow tiger, and is the main protagonist of Shima Shima Tora no Shimajiro.[5][6] He is a bright little boy who likes playing soccer and wants to become a soccer player and an entomologist when he grows up. Shimajiro also likes donuts, dinosaurs, and insects.[7] He is scared of thunder and ghost stories, and does not like green peppers.[8] He is very supportive to his friends and to his younger sister Hana, but can sometimes be a bit stubborn. He can be mischievous and selfish, but he learns his lesson and is always there when his friends and his little sister, Hana, need him.[9]
Sakura is a yellow tiger, and the mother of the Shimano family. She usually takes care of Shimajiro and Hana so much and appears in almost every episode where the Shimano family house appears. She even takes ballet lessons.
Mimirin is a female rabbit with black ear tips, and is one of the main characters. She originally debuted the Kodomo Challenge franchise in 1991. She originally wore a flower brooch near her left ear, she later switched to a ribbon. Her family owns a flower shop.[10][11] Mimirin loves strawberry shortcake, flowers, dolls, and other girly things.[12][13] as well as running.[14] However she is scared of snakes and caterpillars, and she does not like carrots.[12] Usually she also has an overbite and her tail appears out of her skirt. She can be nice but spoiled, selfish and clumsy and has a habit on crying if someone doesn't favor her opinion sometimes. Mimirin is also a good aspiring singer as well. Other jobs she wants is to be a nurse and a florist when she grows up.[15] Mimirin is one of two characters in the series (the other being Ramurin) to not have a sibling and be an only child unlike the rest of the child cast, but after Ramurin left Challenge Island in the series finale of Hesoka and retired the Kodomo Challenge franchise in 2012, Mimirin became the only one.[10][16]
Renge is a white rabbit with black eartips, and the mother of the Midorihara family. She usually takes care of her and helps her out by selling or planting the flowers. She is the more mature and naturally responsible parent as her husband acts like a lax older child a lot.
Torippii is a male pastel green parrot with red, blue, and yellow feathers on his head, blue and yellow feathers on his back, and is one of the main characters. He was originally partially dressed, but starting in Wow!, he now wears trousers. His Japanese name in the series is always mispronounced in several promotional materials.[4][18] Torippii is an aspiring singer,[19] but is somehow tone-deaf.[17] Torippii loves takoyaki, but is easily scared of thunder, ghost stories, and lastly by ghosts, and he does not like natto, scallions or quiet places. He also has the ability to fly to survey things for his friends, and can talk to non-anthropomorphic birds. When he grows up, he wants to become a cameraman. He lives with his family in a cabin.
Voiced by: Takumi Yamazaki (Toto and Pipi), Omi Minami (Riri) (Japanese. Currently no English voice.)
Toto, Riri, and Pipi are pastel green parrots with Toto and Pipi having red, yellow, and blue feathers on their head and Riri having an orange beaded ponytail holder on her feather, and all of them having yellow and blue feathers on their backs, and are Torippii's younger triplet siblings. Originally, Riri was male as Torippii had three younger brothers, she was switched to a female around 2001.
Torigoro is a pastel green parrot with red, yellow, and blue feathers on his head, and yellow and blue feathers on his back, and is the father of the Sorano family. He is a constructor who builds or invents items.
Kanae Sorano (そらの かなえ, Sorano Kanae)
Voiced by: Mami Horikoshi (Japanese. Cureently no English Voice.)
Kanae is a pastel green parrot with orange hair and yellow and green feathers on her back, and is the mother of the Sorano family.
Michiyo Sorano (そらの みちよ, Sorano Michiyo)
Voiced by: Sayuri (1993-2012), Hiroko Nishi (2012-present) (Japanese. Currently no English voice.)
Michiyo is a pastel green parrot with pink hair and yellow and orange feathers on her back, and is the parental grandmother of the Sorano family. She loves to play on her electric guitar, even when she warns her younger siblings when they're doing something bad.
Ramurin is a female baby pink sheep without horns. She originally wore a bow on her head, she later changed it to a bandana around 2001-2002. Her father is a painter, and aspires her to become one when she grows up one day.[21] Ramurin loves pudding,[22] but she has fears of ghosts and she is not good at running fast. She also likes to paint and play both sports; judo and sumo. Unlike the other characters, Ramurin's mentality is much higher than the rest of the main cast and usually behaves like a responsible sister. Her catch phrase is “suspicious” and usually keeps her promises sometimes. Ramurin is one of the two main characters to not have any older or younger siblings (the other being Mimirin).[16][20] But, she officially left Challenge Island along with her parents in the series finale of Shimajirō Hesoka, and moved to France due to her father's job. As a result, she is the only character who does not appear in any of the films. However, she did appear in a five minute intermission animation in Shimajiro: Maho No Shima No Daiboken.[23]
Massei is a beige sheep without horns, and the father of Ramurin. He is a great painter and his job is to become an artist. He left Challenge Island with his wife and Ramurin in the series finale of Hesoka.
Yumeko is a pink sheep without horns, and the mother of Ramurin. She left Challenge Island with her husband and Ramurin in the series finale of Hesoka.
Nyakkii is a female pink cat with a cream-colored face. She debuted in episode 2 of Wow!.[26] She is great at sports, caring, and always stands up to bullies. Naturally, she is always up for adventure with Shimajiro and his friends.[9] Nyakkii loves grapes, climbing trees, and sports. She also dreams to become an Olympic athlete one day when she grows up.[27] She moved into Challenge Island with her grandmother, mother and her older brother and befriended Shimajiro and the others. Her father, however, lives separately somewhere in Challenge Island.[28]
Nene Momoyama (ももやま ねね, Momoyama Nene)
Voiced by: Akemi Obata (Japanese. Currently no English voice.)
Nene is a pink cat with a cream-colored face, and the mother of Nyakkii.
Yoriko Momoyama (ももやま よりこ, Momoyama Yoriko)
Voiced by: Yūko Kobayashi (Japanese. Currently no English voice.)
Yoriko is a pink cat with a cream-colored face, and the grandmother of Nyakkii.
Niisuke Momoyama (ももやま にいすけ)
Voiced by: Sachi Yūki (Japanese. Currently no English voice.)
Niisuke is a pink cat with a cream-colored face, and the older brother of Nyakkii. He is great at sports like his sister, and did better than her when Nyakkii was younger.
Supporting characters
Ratman (ラットマン, Rattoman)
Voiced by: Eiji Hanawa (Japanese. Currently no English voice.)
Ratman is a male blue mouse and a superhero who appears throughout the Shimajiro series. He appears in a TV show with the same name, and always saves the day when the villains cause trouble.
Dr. Meemee is a male white goat and one of the supporting characters of Shima Shima Tora no Shimajiro. He has a wide range of specializations, from mechanical engineering to science and archaeology, and is somehow a solid mechanic. He loves to make strange inventions that are not useful.
Mogutaro is a brown mole and one of the supporting characters of Shima Shima Tora no Shimajiro.
Pontarō (ぽんたろう, Pontarō) / Pantaro
Voiced by: Yuki Matsuoka (Japanese. Currently no English voice.)
Pontarō is a male brown raccoon. He debuted in episode 4 of Hakken Taiken Daisuki!. He lives in a large mansion with his grandfather; Ponzaemon. He has a habit of saying “Ahem…”. Due to the fact that he was born and raised in a wealthy family, he has slightly different common sense.
Hitsujii is a male white sheep with horns. He debuted in episode 4 of Hakken Taiken Daisuki!. He serves as the butler in the mansion owned by Ponzaemon. He is in charge of babysitting Pontarō in place of his parents for work
Leonard Gaogao III (レオナール・ガオガオ 3せい, Reonāru Gaogao 3-sei) / Mr. Roarson[9]
Gao-Gao is a male tan lion. He debuted in episode 6 of Hakken Taiken Daisuki!. He is an inventor who runs a workshop called Fushigi-doh.
Mrs. Tamako (たまこせんせい, Tamako-sensei)
Voiced by: Kumi Yamakado (2008 - 2011), Tomoka Kuzutani (2011 - present) (Japanese. Currently no English voice.)
Tamako is a female cream-colored cat with auburn brown hair. She debuted in episode 8 of Hakken Taiken Daisuki!. She is a picture book artist who is known for working on "Tsumurin and Nororin".
Ma-kun is a male tan monkey. He debuted in episode 19 of Hakken Taiken Daisuki!. His mother owns a greenhouse. He was somehow replaced with Nono-chan in the start of Shimajiro Hesoka.
Nono-chan is a female brown squirrel with dark brown stripes on her head and back. She debuted in episode 2 of Hesoka. Her family owns a donut shop at the city. She does not like carrots or bell peppers (as seen in episode 14 of Hesoka). She somehow disappeared after episode 47.
Būta is a male apricot-colored pig. He loves ramen and he always acts with his best friend; Zota. He moved to another island in episode 204 of Wao!, as he retired the Kodomo Challenge franchise in 2016.
Kento Koshiba (こしば けんと, Koshiba Kento)
Voiced by: Chinatsu Akasaki (Japanese. Currently no English voice.)
Kento is a male yellow Shiba Inu. He loves to play with vehicles and trains.
Kanta Kabayama (かばやま かんた, Kabayama Kanta)
Voiced by: Yū Maruyama (Japanese. Currently no English voice.)
Kanta is a male gray hippopotamus. He owns a turtle which he called it; “Noshinoshi”.
Monta is a brown monkey and one of the kids at Challenge Kindergarten in Shima Shima Tora no Shimajiro. He reads encyclopedias and loves to look at stars.
Voiced by: Aki Toyosaki (Japanese. Currently no English voice.)
Marurin is a female black and white panda. Her family owns a bakery and she loves melon bread. She is very competitive and active in the world.
Sakurako Koinuma (こいぬま さくらこ, Koinuma Sakurako)
Voiced by: Yū Marumiya (Japanese. Currently no English Voice).
Sakurako is a female brown dog. She has a brother five years older than her. She is very talkative, and loves singing.
Kikko Hayashida (はやしだ きっこ, Hayashida Kikko)
Voiced by: Mai Hirano (Japanese. Currently no English voice.)
Kikko is a female goldenrod fox. She loves swimming, and she sometimes reacts harshly to her words, but a great friend.
Tamasaburō Hyōdō (ひょうどう たまさぶろう, Hyōdō Tamasaburō)
Voiced by: Nao Nagasawa (Japanese. Currently no English voice.)
Tamasaburo is a male periwinkle leopard and one of the kids at Challenge Kindergarten in Shima Shima Tora no Shimajiro, who first appeared in episode 135 of Wao!. He is a popular child actor and he became Shimajiro's friend when he debuted.
Voiced by: Akiko Toda (Japanese. Currently no English voice.)
Kumakkii is a female white polar bear. She first appeared in episode 227 of Wao!. She has a good appetite and is full of energy, but more powerful than Zouta. She loves to play houses, but hates injections.
Shikako is a brown deer and the teacher at Challenge Kindergarten. She is the youngest of the teachers in Challenge Kindergarten and seems to be looking for a lover.
Antagonists
The Three Black Cat Brothers (黒猫三兄弟, Kuroneko San Kyōdai)
The Three Black Cat Brothers are male black cat triplets and the main antagonists of the first anime. Dot (ドット, Dotto) is the eldest of the brothers. He is always arrogant and is somewhat short-tempered. He hates tomatoes and is scared of high places. Karakusa (からくさ, Karakusa) is middle-aged of the brothers. He is swayed by Dot's whimps and is really kind. He loves flowers and wishes that he wants to have a younger sister, like Hana. Paisley (ペイズリー, Peizurī) is the youngest of the brothers. He sets up mischiefs with his older brothers, but himself is firm and sometimes discouraged Dot. Paisley even has a crush on Mimirin.
Jan and Ken are the male salmon-colored pigs. They first appeared in episode 5 of Hakken Taiken Daisuki!. Jan is an older brother and is called “a soccer genius.” He usually bullies Shimajiro and his friends. Ken is a younger brother, and is also called “a soccer genius.”
The Three Mole Brothers (モグラ三兄弟, Mogura San Kyōdai)
The Three Mole Brothers are the male brown mole triplets. They first appeared in episode 89 of Hakken Taiken Daisuki!. They look similar to the Three Black Cat Brothers, but act slightly different than them. The three brothers are Maruo (マルオ, Maruo), Sankaku (サンカク, Sankaku), and Shikaku (シカク, Shikaku).
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” (しまとらンドアイランド, Shima Torando Airando, Lit. Striped Tiger Land Island) by Shima Shima Kids, which is used in the first 226 episodes, and the second opening theme is “Skip Step Island” (スキップ ステップ アイランド, Sukippu Suteppu Airando) by Omi Minami, which is used in the remaining 500 episodes. The first ending theme is titled “Zutto Motto Daisuki” (ずっともっと大好き, Zutto Motto Daisuki, Lit. I Love It Much More And More) by Shima Shima Kids, which is used in the first 176 episodes, the second ending theme is “Happy Jam Jam” (ハッピー・ジャムジャム, Happī•Jamu Jamu) by M.S.J, which is used in the remaining 550 episodes (also used during the spring and autumn from 2005-2008, and starting in episode 701), and the third ending theme is “Nyanda Korya” (にゃんだこりゃ, Nyanda Korya, Lit. Nyan-Plain Phrases) by Omi Minami and Bin Shimada, which is also used in the remaining half 550 episodes (also used during the winter and summer from 2005-2007)
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” (まいにちチャレンジャー, Mainichi Charenjā). The ending theme is “Happy Jam Jam” (ハッピー・ジャムジャム, Happī•Jamu Jamu). 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” (ソラソラ☆あおぞら, Sorasora☆Aozora, Lit. Sky Blue Sky) by Aki Toyosaki for the first 51 episodes, and the second opening theme is “Rainbow” (レインボー, Reinbō) by Yusuke Kamiji for the remaining 50 episodes. The first ending theme is titled “Shima Mimi Tori Ramu” (しまみみとりらむっ, Shima Mimi Tori Ramuu, Lit. Striped Ear Bird Lamb) by Fusanosuke Kondō for the first 18 episodes, and later for the remaining 62 episodes, and the second ending theme is “Happy Jam Jam (HE SO KA Version)” (ハッピー・ジャムジャム （HE SO KAバージョン）, Happī•Jamu Jamu (HE SO KA Bājon)) 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” (ボクらのほしのミラクル, Bokura no Hoshi no Mirakuru, Lit. 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” (しまじろうと いこうよ, Shimajirō to Ikōyo) by HARCO from episodes 52 to 64, and later episodes 79 to 82, and the third opening theme is Sekai Wa Wao! (せかいはワオ!, Sekai Wa Wao!, Lit. A World Of Wow!). The first ending theme is ”Tomodachi no Wow!” (トモダチのわお!, Tomodachi no Wao!, Lit. Friends Of Wow!) by Puffy AmiYumi from episodes 1 to 193, and later starting in episode 206, and the second ending theme is ”Okinawa Wawawa” (おきなわ わわわ!, Okinawa Wawawa!, Lit. Okinawa Woah!) by Atsuko Hiyajou from episodes 194 to 205. This series was distributed for YouTube in the United States and Canada by WildBrain Spark.[1]
The official music of the series is composed by Shin'ya Naitō. Akifumi Tada (Tenchi Muyo! GXP) composed the music in Hakken Taiken Daisuki! Shimajirō. Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō is one of the longest running anime series in Japan (and series/franchise in general) behind Hello Kitty's Paradise and Hamtaro.
Starting from Shimajirō: A World of Wow!, the series has 8 theatrical films produced.
Shimajirō to Fufu no Daibōken: Sukue! Nanairo no Hana (2013)
Shimajirō to Kujira no Uta (2014)
Shimajirō to Ōkina Ki (2015)
Shimajirō to Kuni Ehon (2016)
Shimajirō to Niji no Oashisu (2017)
Movie Shimajiro Maho no Shimano Daiboken (2018)
Shimajirō to Ururu no Heroland (2019)
Qiaohu and the Fantastic Flying Ship (2019) Also known as Shimajirō Soro To Soratofune (2021); Delayed from a previous 2020 release due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The Adventures of the Magic Island of Qiaohu (2021)
Shimajirō to Kirakira Ōkoku no Ōji-sama (2022)
Critical reception
On its first airing, Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō became TV Setouchi's most popular educational anime show in Japan,[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]
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.[29]
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.[32] Japanese car company Toyota created a life-sized replica of the Tomica model, titled the "426GT Shimajirō Car "[33] 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.[34][35] 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.[36]
Japan Airlines had special "Shimajirō JET" liveries featuring Shimajirō characters on a mainline Boeing 737-800 registered JA330J from March 2019 to February 2020,[37] as well as an Embraer 190 operated by subsidiary J-Air and registered JA254J, from September 2018 to September 2019.[38]
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 (Chinese: 巧虎; pinyin: qiǎo hǔ) 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.[39]
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.[40] 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.[41] 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.[42] According to Amazon.com, the franchise was released on DVD in the year 2010.[43]
In Taiwan, Shimajirō is the most popular character among children aged 0 to 6.[29]
^Kodomo Challenge [@kodomochallenge] (June 23, 2011). "おはようございます。またお声をいただいたので、お知らせです。しまじろうの名字「しまの」は｢縞野」と書きます！「しまじろう」はひらがなです。" [Good morning. Also, since I received your voice, it is let us know. Shimajiro of surname "stripes" is written as "Shimano"! "Shimajirou" is the hiragana.] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved March 13, 2016 – via Twitter.
