Bono Bono Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary: Major Anniversary Preparations Begin in the World of Manga and Anime
One of Japan's most beloved and longest-running series, Bono Bono, is preparing to celebrate two major milestones in the coming years. Written by mangaka Mikio Igarashi, the series will mark the 40th anniversary of its manga and the 10th anniversary of its current television anime in 2026. For this dual celebration, an official anniversary website titled "Bono Bono and 40 Years" (Bono Bono to 40-nen no Koto) had its pre-launch on April 2, the date the current anime series first aired.
The Bono Bono adventure first began in 1986 in Takeshobo's magazines. Focusing on the absurd yet philosophical adventures of the sea otter Bono Bono, the chipmunk Shimarisu-kun, and the raccoon Araiguma-kun, the series quickly achieved cult status. Winning the Kodansha Manga Award in 1988, the work is considered an "iyashikei" (healing) classic that appeals to both children and adults with its deep existential questions hidden beneath a simple art style and its peaceful atmosphere.
The series' screen journey also has a deep-rooted history. Following its first feature film in 1993 and the initial anime adaptation from 1995-1996, the new series launched by Eiken studio in 2016 achieved great success on Fuji TV, surpassing 500 episodes. As of the end of 2024, the Bono Bono manga has reached its 49th volume, maintaining its influence across generations today. In the special illustration released for the anniversary, the joyful state of our main characters symbolizes the 10-year modern anime success of the series.
The celebrations will not be limited to just a website; a massive three-year project is planned, starting in April 2025 and running until March 2028. In this context, special craft beers titled "Cheers with Bono Bono," events to be held at the Lotte World Aquarium in Seoul, and special exhibitions starting in December 2025 await fans. This preparation process, which will continue until 2026, will bring many new collaborations and surprises for the series' loyal fan base.
