Kamisama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama
Cover of the first DVD boxset
かみさまみならい ヒミツのここたま
(Kamisama minarai Himitsu no Kokotama)
GenreAdventure, pet,[1] fantasy comedy,[2] slice of life[3]
Created byBandai
Anime television series
Directed byNorio Nitta
Written byMichihiro Tsuchiya
Music byRyosuke Nakanishi
StudioOLM, Inc.
Original networkTXN (TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi)
English network
Original run October 1, 2015 – August 30, 2018[4]
Episodes139 + 8 specials (List of episodes)
Anime film
Eiga Kamisama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama: Kiseki o Okose ♪ Tepple to Doki Doki Cocotama Kai
Directed byNorio Nitta
Written byMichihiro Tsuchiya
Music byRyosuke Nakanishi
StudioOLM, Inc.
ReleasedApril 28, 2017

Kamisama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama[a] is a Japanese anime television series animated by OLM, Inc., based on both the series of toys and Media Franchise created by Bandai Namco Holdings.[5] The series focuses on Kokoro Yotsuba, a fifth grader who accidentally witness a small god born from her treasured color pencil set, and must be bound through a contract in order to keep his existence a secret. The series was directed by Norio Nitta and written by Michihiro Tsuchiya (Mirmo De Pon!, PriPara, Cross Game) with character designs by Shinobu Ookawa. The series aired on all TXN stations in Japan from October 2015 to June 2018, replacing Tamagotchi! on its initial timeslot.[6][7] The series uses a few elements from Shinto mythology, regarding the Cocotamas.

A second series, sequel and spinoff titled Kira Kira Happy Hirake! Cocotama was broadcast from September 2018 to September 2019.

Story

See also: List of Kamisama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama characters

Kokoro Yotsuba is a fifth-grader who lives on the seaside town of Aozora, who is clumsy yet also takes good care of her belongings. Living alongside her brother, she once understood what her grandmother said to her, regarding that "everything has a soul" and that things should be cherished. One day, a strange egg was born from her colored pencil she cherished the most, revealing to as Luckytama, a Cocotama. However, he is found by Kokoro after returning from school and for him to exist, he asks Kokoro to sign a "Secret Contract" on which she cannot reveal the secret of the Cocotamas to the world and also must take care of him with great love and care. Now with Luckytama living with his new human friend, Kokoro must make sure she never reveal not tell their secret while meeting other Cocotamas who either befriend her or cause her trouble.

Production

The series and toy line were both simultaneously unveiled at the 2015 Tokyo Toy Fair on June 18, 2015, and scheduled for an October release. The business partners for the series were also present at the unveiling, including Bandai President and CEO Kazunori Ueno, TXN's Anime Bureau member Yukio Kawasaki, OLM Representative Toshiaki Okuno, Lantis's Yoshie Terunari, Bandai's Hiroshi Kawata, and Narabe Ayumi of Kodansha.[8] The series and toy line is planned to be a multimedia franchise aimed at girls, revealing the series' concept of "cherishing things you care for" relating to the title and theme. Kodansha confirmed in a press release that the series would be included as a serialized kid's manga in Tanoshī Yōchien, and that the toys are released in September 2015.[9]

Media

Merchandise

The Cocotama House Series (ここたまハウスシリーズ, Kokotama hausu shirīzu), on which the anime is based on was released on September 19, 2015, with its first set including a small Luckytama figure and a decorative dollhouse. The toy line focuses on decorating its own dollhouse and expanding it with other sets, which can be connected to the main dollhouse itself. The figures were also released the same month, in which each Cocotama figure can be placed inside its plastic egg shell and opened by "cracking" the egg to reveal the figure.

As well with other Bandai Namco-related franchises, the series is also a cross-media franchise and has other merchandising goods related such as stationery, plush toys and novelty items.

Anime

See also: List of Kamisama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama episodes

The anime based on the toyline, produced by OLM, aired on October 1, 2015 and ended on June 28, 2018, replacing Tamagotchi! Tama Tomo Daishū GO! on its initial timeslot. The opening song from episodes 1 to 76 is titled "Coro Coro Cocotama!" (ころころここたま!, Korokoro kokotama!, "Roly-Poly Cocotama!") and from episode 77 to 126 is titled "Cocotama Happy~Paradise!" (ここたまハッピ～パラダイス!, Kokotama Happi ~ Paradaisu!), both performed by Erika. From episode 127 onwards, the title song is titled "Coro Coro Cocotama! ~Naka Naka Nakayoshi Version~" (ころころここたま!～なかなかなかよしバージョン～, Korokoro kokotama!~Nakanaka nakayoshi bājon~, "Roly-Poly Cocotama! ~Naka Naka Friends Version~") by Kaede Hondo and Megumi Han. The first ending theme is titled "Kokon Poipoi Cocotama!" (ここんぽいぽいここったま!, Kokon Poipoi Kokottama!) by Aki Toyosaki featuring Megumi Han, Yumi Kakazu, Ryoka Yuzuki, Rikako Aikawa and Michiyo Murase, the second ending theme is titled "Kokoro Daisuki Cocotama!" (こころだいすきここったま!, Kokoro daisuki kokotama!, "Heartfully loving Cocotama!") by Kaede Hondo and Megumi Han, the third is titled "Utao ♪ Cocota-March!" (うたおう♪ここったまーち!, Utaou ♪ Kokottamachi!, "Let's Sing ♪ Cocota-March!") by Kaede Hondo featuring Megumi Han, Aki Toyosaki, Yumi Kakazu, Ryoka Yuzuki, Rikako Aikawa, Michiyo Murase, Ayumi Fujimura, Yuri Shiratori, Fumiko Orikasa and Ayaka Nanase while the fourth is titled "Ikou yo! Cocotama-kai!!" (いこうよ!ここたま界!!, Ikou yo! Kokotama-kai!!, "Let's go! Cocotama World!!") by Megumi Han, Aki Toyosaki and Saki Fujita. The series's music is composed by Ryosuke Nakanishi (Sakura Trick, High School DxD, Kuroko's Basketball). The first official soundtrack of the series was released on October 26, 2016 in Japan. The second ending theme was later covered by BNK48 member Praewa Suthamphong for the Thai release of the anime.[10] An 8-episode special program following the end of the first series, only titled Kamisama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama: Natsu Da! Ōhashagi Special,[b] aired from July 5, 2018 to August 30, 2018.

Kadokawa currently released the series in several DVD box sets in Japan under the Media Factory label. 9 Box sets were currently released.

Broadcasts

TV Tokyo officially streams the series in Japan as part of the Ani.TV Lineup on October 8, 2015.[11] Bandai Channel also starts streaming the series in Japan as well in the video site Nico Nico Douga and in NTT DoCoMo's video streaming service Docomo Anime Store. Starting in April 2016, the timeslot of the series is changed to make way for Aikatsu Stars!'s premiere. Reruns of the series later aired in Disney Channel Japan starting May 1, 2016 through CS Broadcasts and later on in TV Tokyo's Animeteleto Streaming Service. Also, it aired in foreign countries such as South Korea via Disney Channel Korea beginning on August 1, 2016, Hong Kong via ViuTV on February 22, 2017, Thailand via Channel 3 on November 4, 2017, Taiwan via MOMO Kids on November 12, 2017[12] and MENA via Spacetoon on November 12, 2017.[13]

Film

A theatrical film adaptation of series, titled Eiga Kamisama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama: Kiseki o Okose ♪ Tepple to Dokidoki Cocotama Kai[c] was released on April 28, 2017[14] during Japan's Golden Week.[15][16][17][18] It was released alongside a Tamagotchi! short film for the franchise' 20th anniversary.[19] The film's opening theme is titled "Coro Coro Cocotama! 2017" (ころころここたま! 2017, Korokoro kokotama! 2017, "Rolling Cocotama! 2017") by Erika with Megumi Han, Aki Toyosaki, Yumi Kakazu, Ryoka Yuzuki, Rikako Aikawa and Michiyo Murase while the ending theme is titled "Taisetsunamono" (たいせつなもの, Taisetsunamono, "Things we Cherish the Most") by Kaede Hondo. The movie's official soundtrack was released by Lantis on April 28, 2017.

Reception

The toy franchise topped sales numbers in Japan, with more than 1 million in total sales in December 2015.[20] It again topped its previous record, with the total toys sold being 1.4 million.[21] In May 2018, the Cocotama Dolls was sold and shipped more than 5 Million pieces while the Cocotama House shipped more than 1 million pieces.[22]

The first movie debuted in 10th place at the Japanese Box Office during Golden Week across 151 theaters in Japan.[23] On its South Korean theatrical release, it was watched by more than 13.6 million people in 3 weeks.[22]

Notes

  1. ^ Kamisama minarai Himitsu no Kokotama (Japanese: かみさまみならい ヒミツのここたま, "Cocotama: Secret Apprentice Gods")
  2. ^ Kamisama Minarai Himitsu no Kokotama Natsuda! Ōhashagi Supesharu (Japanese: かみさまみならい ヒミツのここたま 夏だ!おおはしゃぎスペシャル, "Cocotama: Secret Apprentice Gods: A Frolicking Summer Special!")
  3. ^ Eiga Kamisama minarai Himitsu no Kokotama Kiseki o okose ♪ Teppuru to dokidoki kokotama-kai (Japanese: 映画かみさまみならい ヒミツのここたま 奇跡をおこせ♪テップルとドキドキここたま界, "Cocotama: Secret Apprentice Gods the Movie: Make a Miracle♪ Tepple and the Exciting Cocotama World")

References

  1. ^ "ja: 「ここたま」劇場版タイトル＆新キャラ解禁、たまごっちの短編が同時上映". Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 1, 2016. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  2. ^ キラキラハッピー★ ひらけ！ここたま』、星ノ川はるか役の高橋未奈美に聞く作品と登場人物の魅力【インタビュー】. Cho-Animedia (in Japanese). October 26, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  3. ^ "Kamisama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama Release Date and Cast Announced". Honey's Anime. August 18, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  4. ^ "9月開始の新アニメ「ひらけ！ここたま」発表、7月からは「ヒミツの」傑作選放送" (in Japanese). Natalie. Retrieved 2018-06-07.
  5. ^ "『ここたまハウスシリーズ』 2015 年 9 月 19 日（土）発売" (PDF). Bandai. 2015-06-18. Retrieved 2015-07-06.
  6. ^ "Bandai Reveals Kamisama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama Fall Anime Series - News". Anime News Network. 2015-06-19. Retrieved 2015-09-26.
  7. ^ "Kaede Hondo, Megumi Han Star in Kamisama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama TV Anime - News". Anime News Network. 2015-08-18. Retrieved 2015-09-26.
  8. ^ "バンダイが期待の新プロジェクト『かみさまみならい ヒミツのここたま』を発表！【東京おもちゃショー2015】 - ファミ通.com". Famitsu.com. 2015-06-19. Retrieved 2015-09-28.
  9. ^ "バンダイから新作女児向けアニメ「かみさまみならい ヒミツのここたま」発表＠東京おもちゃショー2015". Anime! Anime!. 2015-06-18. Retrieved 2015-07-06.
  10. ^ "- YouTube". YouTube.
  11. ^ "おしらせ かみさまみならい ヒミツのここたま｜テレビ東京アニメ公式". www.tv-tokyo.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2019-03-01.
  12. ^ "見習神仙精靈". MOMO Kids. Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  13. ^ Spacetoon [@spacetoon] (November 11, 2017). "كوكوتاما في الأوقات التالية على #سبيستون" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 November 2017 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ Mateo, Alex. "Kami-sama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama Anime Film's Trailer, April 28 Premiere Revealed". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2016-12-15.
  15. ^ "女児に人気のアニメ『ヒミツのここたま』映画化決定" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2016-10-06.
  16. ^ ヒミツのここたま公式 [@anime_cocotama] (October 6, 2016). "アニメ放送一周年ありがとうございます！ なんと・・！ 「ヒミツのここたま」の映画化が決定しました！2017年GW公開予定！一人前のかみさまだけがいける憧れの世界〝ここたま界〟が舞台！？みなさん、おたのしみに！♪#cocotama" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  17. ^ "Kami-sama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama Anime Gets 1st Film Next Year". Anime News Network.
  18. ^ "映画「ヒミツのここたま」タイトル＆新キャラ発表！同時上映は「たまごっち」短編 : 映画ニュース".
  19. ^ Ressler, Karen (2016-11-01). "Tamagotchi Gets 1st Anime Film Short in 9 Years". Anime News Network.
  20. ^ "女の子に人気のアニメ「ヒミツのここたま」の"ここたまドール"が総出荷100万個を突破 - SankeiBiz（サンケイビズ）". Archived from the original on 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  21. ^ "経済".
  22. ^ a b "『ひらけ！ここたまハウスシリーズ』2018年9月8日（土）発売" (PDF). Bandai. 2018-06-07. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  23. ^ "Japan Box Office: "Blade of the Immortal" Bombs, "Detective Conan" Keeps 2nd Place".

External links

Cocotama by OLM and Bandai Namco
OLM television series
OLM theatrical features
Categories