Two Legends of Japan Together: A Historic Collaboration Between Chibi Maruko-chan and Crayon Shin-chan!
Two of the most iconic characters in Japanese pop culture are meeting in a massive project that will thrill fans. Momoko Sakura's immortal work Chibi Maruko-chan and Yoshito Usui's mischievous hero Crayon Shin-chan are joining forces to celebrate the 40th and 35th anniversaries of their respective series. The most notable part of this historic collaboration will be the special pop-up store called "Okiraku Shoten" (Carefree Store), which will open at Tokyo Solamachi (Tokyo Skytree Town) between June 4 and June 21, 2026.
The "Okiraku Shoten" concept focuses on the "carefree and relaxed" (guutara) attitudes that are characteristic of both characters. The store will feature specially designed products depicting Maruko and Shinnosuke (Shin-chan) lounging together, rendered in pastel tones and reminiscent of the art styles from the early days of the series. In addition to this limited-edition merchandise, which will range from stationery to kitchenware, special photo spots will be set up inside the store for fans to immortalize the moment.
This collaboration is not limited to just the store; a rare crossover manga project between the two series is also being brought to life. In special chapters to be published in Shueisha's Ribon magazine and on the official Crayon Shin-chan website in April, the Nohara family will visit Maruko's hometown of Shizuoka, while the Sakura family will find themselves in Kasukabe, where Shin-chan lives. Fun coincidences, such as the fact that both characters' fathers are named Hiroshi, are among the details that strengthen the humor of the manga.
Chibi Maruko-chan first began its journey in Ribon magazine in 1986 and became an indispensable part of Sunday evenings in Japan. Crayon Shin-chan, which began in 1990, has turned into a massive phenomenon, selling over 148 million copies worldwide. Although both creators have passed away, these legacies continue to be kept alive through the meticulous work of Sakura Production and UY Studio. This collaboration is of great importance in the industry as it brings together the fan bases of two giant productions aired on rival channels (Fuji TV and TV Asahi) on a common ground.
