Sanrio Boys
Cover of the first manga volume
サンリオ男子
(Sanrio Danshi)
GenreComedy, slice of life[1]
Manga
Sanrio Danshi: Oretachi, Seishun, Hajimemashita and Sanrio Danshi: Oretachi, Koi, Hajimemashita
Written byMai Andō
Published byShogakukan
ImprintFlower Comics
Magazine
DemographicShōjo
Original run2016 – present
Volumes5
Game
Sanrio Danshi: Watashi, Koi wo, Shirimashita
DeveloperCybird
PublisherCybird
GenreVisual Novel
PlatformAndroid, iOS
ReleasedSeptember 13, 2016
Anime television series
Directed byMasashi Kudō
Written byTakashi Aoshima
Music byJunpei Fujita
StudioPierrot
Licensed by
Original networkTokyo MX, MBS
Original run January 6, 2018 – March 24, 2018
Episodes12

Sanrio Boys (サンリオ男子, Sanrio Danshi) is a Japanese media franchise created by Sanrio in November 2015. The Sanrio Boys were conceptualized as a social media project to promote merchandise for Sanrio's best-selling characters. Due to its popularity, it grew to have its own merchandise line, a manga series, a series of character drama CDs, a 2016 smartphone game for iOS and Android, and an anime television series by Pierrot aired from January to March 2018.

Background

The Sanrio Boys were created by Sanrio in November 2015 to promote merchandise for their best-selling characters on social media, a strategy of which has been compared to Twitter accounts run by characters from Uta no Prince-sama.[3] The Sanrio Boys originally consisted of five characters, but has since then expanded to seven.[4] The characters were so well-received that they received their own line of character merchandise starting in June 2016.[5]

Characters

Sanrio Boys

Kota Hasegawa (長谷川 康太, Hasegawa Kōta)
Voiced by: Takuya Eguchi[6]
Kota is a fan of Pompompurin and was given a plush toy from his grandmother as a child. He is embarrassed to openly admit he likes Pompompurin until he meets Yu and Shunsuke.[7]
Yu Mizuno (水野 祐, Mizuno Yū)
Voiced by: Soma Saito[6]
Yu is Kota's outgoing classmate who is open about his love for My Melody. He is popular with his classmates for his friendly and sociable personality.[8]
Shunsuke Yoshino (吉野 俊介, Yoshino Shunsuke)
Voiced by: Jun Oosuka[6]
Shunsuke is the ace striker of the soccer team and a fan of Hello Kitty, who he refers to with respect. He has a serious and stoic personality.[9]
Ryo Nishimiya (西宮 諒, Nishimiya Ryō)
Voiced by: Hiroyuki Kagura[6]
Ryo is a shy and beautiful first year student who likes Kiki and Lala from Little Twin Stars.[10]
Seiichiro Minamoto (源 誠一郎, Minamoto Seiichirō)
Voiced by: Yuma Uchida[6]
Seiichiro is the president of the student council and a member of the archery team. He loves Cinnamoroll.[11]
Subaru Amagaya (雨ケ谷 昴, Amagaya Subaru)
Voiced by: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka[12]
Subaru is a wannabe delinquent who loves Bad Badtz-Maru.[11] He was introduced in April 2017.[4]
Naoki Sugami (菅見 直樹, Sugami Naoki)
Voiced by: Wataru Hatano[12]
Naoki is a biology teacher who loves Keroppi.[13] He was introduced in April 2017.[4]

Kansai Sanrio Boys

Yumenosuke Toyohara (豊原夢ノ介, Toyohara Yumenosuke)
Yumenosuke is a fan of Hello Kitty.[14] He was first introduced as a character for Miracle Stage: Sanrio Boys at Sanrio Expo 2018.
Torao Hagura (羽倉虎男, Hagura Torao)
Torao is a friend of Yumenosuke who loves Kuromi.[15] thanks to him. He was first introduced as a character for Miracle Stage: Sanrio Boys at Sanrio Expo 2018.
Tomohiro Kashiwagi (柏木智博, Kashiwagi Tomohiro)
Tomohiro is the president of the mandolin guitar club.[16] He is a fan of Pochacco. He was first introduced as a character for Miracle Stage: Sanrio Boys at Sanrio Expo 2018.
Yuzu Wakano (若野ゆず, Yuzu Wakano)
Yuzu is Tomohiro's roommate/childhood friend and a fan of Kirimi.[17] He was first introduced as a character for Miracle Stage: Sanrio Boys at Sanrio Expo 2018.
Jun Fujita (藤田潤, Fujita Jun)
Fujita is a teacher who loves Tuxedo Sam.[18] He was first introduced as a character for Miracle Stage: Sanrio Boys at Sanrio Expo 2018.

Secondary characters

Yuri Mizuno (水野 由梨, Mizuno Yuri)
Voiced by: Akane Fujita[19]
Yuri is Yū's younger sister and is in middle school. She has a strained relationship with him, and disapproves of him liking My Melody.
Tadashi Tsuchiya (土屋 正, Tsuchiya Tadashi)
Voiced by: Chihiro Suzuki[20]
Yamato Machida (町田 大和, Machida Yamato)
Voiced by: Daisuke Kishio[20]
Tomo Matsuo (松尾智, Matsuo Tomo)
Voiced by: Makoto Furukawa[20]

Media

Manga

Sanrio Boys was adapted into two manga adaptations written and illustrated by Mai Ando, with both manga series running concurrently.[21] Sanrio Danshi: Oretachi, Seishun, Hajimemashita (サンリオ男子～俺たち、青春、はじめました。～), which features the Sanrio Boys' daily lives, was published on the mobile app MangaONE starting April 2016. Sanrio Danshi: Oretachi, Koi, Hajimemashita (サンリオ男子～俺たち、恋、はじめました。～), which features one of the Sanrio Boys being romantically involved with a girl, was serialized in the magazine Sho-Comi starting from its June 2016 issue.[22] Both were compiled into volume format and released under the title Sanrio Boys under Shogakukan's Flower Comics imprint.[23]

No. Release date ISBN
1 July 22, 2016[24]9784091385055
2 February 24, 2017[25]9784091391568
3 July 26, 2017[26]9784091394767
4 November 24, 2017[27]9784091397669
5 March 26, 2018[28]9784098700110

Game

A visual novel style dating sim game was released onto Android and iOS under the name Sanrio Danshi: Watashi, Koi wo, Shirimashita. (サンリオ男子～わたし、恋を、知りました。～) on September 13, 2016.[29] The theme song is "Fun! Fantastic Girl", produced by Elements Garden and performed by the voice actors of Sanrio Boys.[30] Approximately 100,000 users downloaded the game during the first six days of release.[31]

Anime

An anime adaptation of Sanrio Boys was announced in 2017.[32] The series is directed by Masashi Kudō and written by Takashi Aoshima, and the anime production is handled by Pierrot. The anime aired for 12 episodes from January 6 to March 24, 2018.[33] The series is licensed by Ponycan USA in North America,[2] who are simulcasting the series on Crunchyroll.[34]

No. Title Original air date
1"It All Started With Pompompurin"
"Hajimari wa Pomupomupurin" (はじまりはポムポムプリン)		January 6, 2018 (2018-01-06)[35]
2"Gift Gate After the Rain"
"Ameagari no Gifuto Gēto" (雨上がりのギフトゲート)		January 13, 2018 (2018-01-13)[36]
3"My Sister Blue"
"Mai Shisutā Burū" (マイ♪シスター・ブルー)		January 20, 2018 (2018-01-20)[19]
4"Hello Friends"
"Harō Furenzu!" (ハローフレンズ！)		January 27, 2018 (2018-01-27)[37]
5"Broken Rose-Colored Clouds"
"Kowareta Bara-iro Kumo" (壊れたバラ色雲)		February 3, 2018 (2018-02-03)[38]
6"Above the Distant Clouds"
"Tōi o Sora no Kumo no Ue" (遠いお空の雲の上[39])		February 10, 2018 (2018-02-10)
7"Miraculous Holiday"
"Mirakuru na Horidē" (ミラクルなホリデー)		February 17, 2018 (2018-02-17)
8"Sparkling Rhapsody"
"Kirakira Kyōsōkyoku" (キラキラ狂想曲)		February 24, 2018 (2018-02-24)[40]
9"The Boys' Vacation!"
"Danshi's Bakēshon" (男子’sバケーション)		March 3, 2018 (2018-03-03)[41]
10"Dream Galaxy, Compassion Planet"
"Yume seiun Omoiyariboshi" (ゆめ星雲おもいやり星)		March 10, 2018 (2018-03-10)
11"IN THE DARK"March 17, 2018 (2018-03-17)[42]
12"The Magic of Friends"
"Tomodachi no Mahō" (ともだちの魔法)		March 24, 2018 (2018-03-24)[12]

Stage play

A stage play titled Miracle☆Stage Sanrio Boys[43] was announced at the end of episode 12 of the anime.[44] The play is directed by Masami Itō, with the script written by Shinjirō Kameda, the choreography by Tetsuharu, and the music composed by Yu.[43] The main cast consists of Naoya Kitagawa as Kōta, Hiroki Sasamori as Yū, Tsubasa Yoshizawa as Shunsuke, Yū Miyazaki as Ryō, Shinichi Wagō as Seiichiro, Kōhei Kishi as Subaru Amagaya, and Jin Hiramaki as Naoki. [45][43] Five new characters created exclusively for the play were revealed at Sanrio Expo 2018.[46] The play ran from November 29 to December 9, 2018, at The Galaxy Theatre in Tokyo.[43][46] The final show on December 9 was live streamed on Niconico to Japanese residents.[47] Pompompurin, My Melody, and Hello Kitty made guest appearances at alternating shows.[48]

Reception

As of April 5, 2018 the manga had 200,000 copies in print.[49]

Rebecca Silverman of Anime News Network gave the anime series a mixed review, mentioning that while the first half of the series was well-written, the second half of the series "took a nosedive" and felt like an "overt advertisement."[50]

References

  1. ^ Ashcraft, Brian (January 12, 2018). "Your Winter 2018 Anime Guide [Updated]". Kotaku. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "SANRIO BOYS". Ponycan USA. Archived from the original on February 3, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  3. ^ サンリオ新企画『サンリオ男子』がヤバい 共同アカウントで発信する彼らの魅力. KAI-YOU. December 9, 2015. Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Loveridge, Lynzee (April 6, 2016). "Sanrio Boys Multimedia Project Adds Badtz-Maru, Keroppi Fans". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
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  8. ^ 水野 祐 キャラクター サンリオ男子. Sanrio (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 24, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  9. ^ 吉野 俊介 キャラクター サンリオ男子. Sanrio (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 24, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  10. ^ =西宮 諒 キャラクター サンリオ男子. Sanrio (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 24, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  11. ^ a b "源 誠一郎 キャラクター サンリオ男子". Sanrio (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 24, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  12. ^ a b c 『サンリオ男子』第12話（最終話）「ともだちの魔法」より先行カット到着！ 康太は、祐たちと本音を言い合って…… (in Japanese). Animate Times. March 20, 2018. Archived from the original on July 3, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  13. ^ 菅見 直樹 キャラクター サンリオ男子. Sanrio (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 24, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  14. ^ サンリオ男子【公式】 [@Sdan_sanrio] (September 3, 2018). 豊原夢ノ介いいます。あんたらは、どう思てはるかわからしまへんけど、ウチ、キティはんとは運命の仲や思てます。以後よろしゅう。 (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Twitter.
  15. ^ サンリオ男子【公式】 [@Sdan_sanrio] (September 4, 2018). 羽倉虎男じゃ！クロミお嬢と出会うたんは夢ノ介のおかげやからめっちゃ感謝しとんねん。お嬢と阪神がめっちゃ好き。あとカラオケな！ (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ サンリオ男子【公式】 [@Sdan_sanrio] (September 5, 2018). 柏木智博です。思い出があるんはポチャッコ。マンドリン・ギター部部長。ゆずはルームメイト。そんな感じです。 (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Twitter.
  17. ^ サンリオ男子【公式】 [@Sdan_sanrio] (September 6, 2018). 若野ゆずです。きりみちゃんのツイートが癒し。夢はたぶんピアニスト。とものことは小さい時から知ってる。 (Tweet) (in Japanese) – via Twitter.
  18. ^ サンリオ男子【公式】 [@Sdan_sanrio] (September 7, 2018). 藤田潤です。高校で教師をしています。タキシードサム、かわいいですよね。生徒たちを見守っていければ、僕はそれで幸せかなと。ちょっと頼りないかもしれないですね。すみません。 (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ a b 『サンリオ男子』第3話「マイ♪シスター・ブルー」の先行カット公開！ 祐（CV：斉藤壮馬）は面倒見の良いお兄さん、しかし妹とは…… (in Japanese). Animate Times. January 14, 2018. Archived from the original on July 3, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  20. ^ a b c "Sanrio Boys Anime Announces More of Cast, 7 Unaired Anime Shorts". Anime News Network. December 17, 2017. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  21. ^ ネットで衝撃『サンリオ男子』 老舗キャラ企業が"萌え"に挑む理由. Oricon News (in Japanese). March 2, 2016. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  22. ^ 「サンリオ男子」がマンガに！4月からマンガワン＆Sho-Comiにて連載開始. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. January 29, 2016. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  23. ^ Twitterで超話題『サンリオ男子』コミックス1巻発売!! (in Japanese). Shogakukan Comics. July 22, 2016. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  24. ^ サンリオ男子 １ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  25. ^ サンリオ男子 ２ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  26. ^ サンリオ男子 ３ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  27. ^ サンリオ男子 ４ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  28. ^ サンリオ男子 ５ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  29. ^ サンリオ男子～わたし、恋を、知りました。～. 4gamer. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  30. ^ 「サンリオ男子」5人が歌う主題歌が実装。プロデュースはElements Garden. 4gamer. October 4, 2016. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  31. ^ 「サンリオ男子～わたし、恋を、知りました。～」が6日間で10万DL突破. 4gamer. September 21, 2016. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  32. ^ "Sanrio Danshi Project Gets Anime About Boys Who Love Sanrio Products". Anime News Network. January 31, 2017. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  33. ^ "Sanrio Boys Anime Premieres on January 6". Anime News Network. November 20, 2017. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  34. ^ "Crunchyroll Streams Working Buddies!, Sanrio Boys Anime". Anime News Network. January 6, 2018. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  35. ^ アニメ『サンリオ男子』第1話「はじまりはポムポムプリン」先行場面カットが到着！ ポムポムプリンが大好きだった康太が拾ったキーホルダーの持ち主は……？ (in Japanese). Animate Times. January 5, 2018. Archived from the original on March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  36. ^ 『サンリオ男子』第2話「雨上がりのギフトゲート」の先行場面カット公開！ 祐（CV：斉藤壮馬）は、康太（CV：江口拓也）から同じ匂いを感じて…… (in Japanese). Animate Times. January 9, 2018. Archived from the original on March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  37. ^ 『サンリオ男子』第4話「ハローフレンズ！」の先行カット公開！自暴自棄になった俊介（CV：大須賀純）は、大切なハローキティのお守りを…… (in Japanese). Animate Times. January 21, 2018. Archived from the original on March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  38. ^ 『サンリオ男子』第5話「壊れたバラ色雲」の先行カット到着！ 突っかかってきた諒（CV：花倉洸幸）、一触即発な状況からさらに誤解へ (in Japanese). Animate Times. January 28, 2018. Archived from the original on March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  39. ^ 『サンリオ男子』第6話「遠いお空の雲の上」の先行カット到着！ 問題を抱え込んだ誠一郎（CV：内田雄馬）は、根を詰めすぎて…… (in Japanese). Animate Times. February 4, 2018. Archived from the original on March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  40. ^ 『サンリオ男子』第8話「キラキラ狂想曲」の先行カット公開！「俺もキラキラしたい！」という康太は、他の4人を密着取材する!? (in Japanese). Animate Times. February 19, 2018. Archived from the original on March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  41. ^ 『サンリオ男子』第9話「男子'ｓバケーション」の先行場面カット解禁！ 康太ら5人は別荘で海合宿、しかし天気が一変して…… (in Japanese). Animate Times. February 25, 2018. Archived from the original on March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  42. ^ 『サンリオ男子』第11話「IN THE DARK」の先行場面カット公開！ 康太は、自分がいない方が良いのではないかと思い…… (in Japanese). Animate Times. March 11, 2018. Archived from the original on March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  43. ^ a b c d Jennifer Sherman (August 31, 2018). "Sanrio Boys Stage Play Reveals Original Characters, Additional Cast". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  44. ^ サンリオ男子総合Pです【公式】 [@Sdan_p_sanrio] (March 24, 2018). 【重要なお知らせ】サンリオ男子につきまして、舞台化が決定致しました。こちらにつきましてのコメントは26日（月）に発表させていただく予定でございます。何卒よろしくお願い致します。 (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved March 25, 2018 – via Twitter.
  45. ^ Jennifer Sherman (April 4, 2018). "Sanrio Boys Inspires Stage Play This Winter". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  46. ^ a b "ポチャッコ好きにKIRIMI好きも！「サンリオ男子」舞台オリキャラ5人が参戦". Natalie (in Japanese). August 31, 2018. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  47. ^ "ミラクル☆ステージ『サンリオ男子』千秋楽【独占生放送】". Niconico (in Japanese). December 9, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  48. ^ "ハローキティやポムポムプリンも参戦！ サンリオ男子たちがダンス＆コントで会場を盛り上げる「ミラクル☆ステージ『サンリオ男子』」ゲネプロ公演をレポート". 4gamer (in Japanese). November 30, 2018. Archived from the original on December 25, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  49. ^ Jennifer Sherman (April 8, 2018). "Roundup of Newly Revealed Print Counts for Manga, Light Novel Series". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  50. ^ Rebecca Silverman (March 30, 2018). "Sanrio Boys: Episodes 1-12 Streaming". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 25, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2018.

External links

Sanrio
Pierrot television series
Authority control databases: Artists
Categories