Netflix‘s latest Japanese order is My Melody & Kuromi, a stop-motion animation based on Sanrio characters.
The series, directed by Tomoki Misato (Pui Pui Molcar), will roll out in July, and will center on My Melody, a straightforward, cheerful girl who bakes cookies with her mother and cares deeply for her younger brother. Shuko Nemoto is the writer.
My Melody & Kuromi comes from Toruku, which is part of WIT Studio. For Toruku, it marks a first stop-motion animation.
My Melody debuted in Japan in 1975, while Kuromi was added in 2005 as a trouble-making rival to My Melody who is actually softer than she appears. Since her debut, she has been a top-three ranked Sanrio character.
“I’m thrilled that this project is finally announced in this important year marking the 50th anniversary of My Melody and the 20th anniversary of Kuromi,” said Misato. “This momentous project motivated all of us to come together, take on various challenges, and push the envelope with stop-motion. I hope everyone will enjoy this exciting story set in our handcrafted Mariland, the thrilling action that pushes the limits of stop-motion, and, of course, the cute and dynamic characters.”
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Screenwriter Nemoto penned the scripts for the show during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Having My Melody and Kuromi speak lines I wrote felt like a reward for me as a writer,” she said. “Because of the pandemic, I couldn’t meet with director Misato or the producers in person, but we connected remotely each week, carefully building this together. The project is filled with love for the world of My Melody, beloved by people of all ages. I believe everyone, from adults to children, will have favorite scenes and lines.”
Japan is emerging as an important territory for streamer Netflix, with other originals debuting this year including Bullet Train Explosion, a film reboot of the 50-year-old film that inspired Hollywood movie Speed; Last Samurai Standing, Netflix’s first samurai action series; and a third season of Alice in Borderland.
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