ITV

Tag: Maiko Sumida

  • Sony YAY! and TV Asahi collaborate on all-new episodes of Obocchama-kun

    Sony YAY! and TV Asahi collaborate on all-new episodes of Obocchama-kun

    MUMBAI: Sony YAY!, the leading kids’ entertainment brand in India, has partnered with Japan’s iconic broadcaster TV Asahi to produce brand – new episodes of the fan-favourite anime Obocchama-kun. The first-of-its-kind collaboration has the stories and character design created in Japan and the animation produced in India, bringing together the creative strengths of both countries to revive a classic series for a new generation.

    Since its debut on Sony YAY!, Obocchama-kun has emerged as a breakout hit, resonating strongly with kids across India through its eccentric humour, relatable characters, and unique storytelling style. The series has quickly built a loyal fanbase and proved its potential to grow into a long-term franchise.

    Ambesh Tiwari, Business Head, Sony Kids said, “Obocchama-kun has created a special place in the hearts of kids across India. At Sony YAY!, our mission has always been to give our audience more of what they love. This collaboration is a step forward in that journey—bringing new stories, deeper humour, and the same Obocchama magic that has connected so strongly with fans.”

    Maiko Sumida, Head of Animation Sales & Development, Interntational Business Department, TV Asahi said, “Obocchama-kun is back again! What’s more, all the stories are brand new, fully supervised by the original creator, Mr. Yoshinori Kobayashi, making this return more fun and exciting than ever before. This series holds special significance for TV Asahi, as it is a co-production with Sony Pictures Networks India. We are looking forward to the Obocchama-kun’s unpredictable adventures on Sony Yay!”

     

  • Shin-chan to storm Indian cinemas theatrically in 2025

    Shin-chan to storm Indian cinemas theatrically in 2025

    MUMBAI: TV Asahi announced  today that the cheeky five-year-old phenomenon Shin-chan will finally be leaping onto the big screen across India with not one, but two theatrical releases slated for 2025.
    In a historic first, the mischief-maker extraordinaire will grace Indian cinemas with Shin-chan Our Dinosaur Diary  hitting theatres in May, followed by the India-themed spectacle Shin-chan The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers in India during the Diwali festivities in October.

    Distributed by cinema giant PVR Inox Pictures, the films will cater to India’s linguistic diversity with releases in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Japanese with English subtitles—a strategic move that acknowledges the character’s massive appeal across the subcontinent.

    The announcement comes as little surprise to industry watchers. Since his 2006 Indian television debut, the kindergartener who can “turn any calm day upside down in an instant” has become nothing short of a cultural sensation. Broadcasting daily on Hungama TV and recently joining Sony Yay!, Shin-chan has claimed the crown as the most-watched international animation in India, with a staggering one in ten Indian children tuning in to his antics.

    “It has been our long-standing dream to release Shin-chan films in theatres in India, the movie superpower!” gushed TV Asahi head of animation sales & development  Maiko Sumida. “We hope this will provide fans with an unforgettable cinematic experience.”

    Shin-chan Our Dinosaur Diary promises a rollicking adventure featuring a small dinosaur named Nana, discovered by the Nohara family dog, with the family battling to protect their prehistoric friend when dinosaurs escape and rampage across Tokyo.

    Meanwhile, The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers in India takes Shin-chan’s signature chaos to Indian shores when he and his friends win a dance competition trip to India—only to encounter a mysterious backpack that transforms his friend Bo into a power-mad tyrant.

    The theatrical releases mark a significant milestone for the global animation juggernaut, which has aired over 820 episodes across 45 countries and released 32 films that have raked in more than $350 million at the Japanese box office.

    With millions of Indian fans—both children and nostalgic adults who grew up with the series—eagerly awaiting these releases, 2025 is shaping up to be the year Shin-chan’s trademark cheekiness conquers Indian cinema screens nationwide.

  • Sony YAY! celebrates seventh anniversary with the launch of Shin chan

    Sony YAY! celebrates seventh anniversary with the launch of Shin chan

    Mumbai: Kids’ entertainment channel – Sony YAY! has announced an exciting new addition to its rich programming slate with the launch of the iconic show – Shin chan. This move not only reaffirms Sony YAY!’s commitment to delivering quality content for young audiences but also highlights the channel’s dedication to providing kids’ favourite shows from across the globe. With this launch of the never seen before episodes and movies of the popular character, the channel readies to celebrate the passionate fandom of Shin chan.

    This summer, Sony YAY! has put together one of the most robust lineups in the category, that will feature an eclectic mix of the kids’ favourite shows that are homegrown and also that are handpicked from across the globe. This new addition of the fan favourite show Shin chan – the timeless classic that follows the adventures of a mischievous young boy, fits right in the multi genre bouquet of the YAY! toonverse. Shin chan joins the ranks of the leading chase comedy “Oggy and the Cockroaches” and the longest-running pet comedy “Honey Bunny.” Along with this rich mix of content offering, the channel also plans to retain its leadership position across key markets through the local connect that it has built through regional language feeds like Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bangla, and Odiya.

    Sony YAY! plans to expand its footprint by curating a special Shin chan multiverse. This expansion will go beyond the linear medium to include digital and on-ground experiences, as well as various brand extensions. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing the overall viewer experience offering fans of the series more ways to engage with the beloved characters and world of Shin chan.

    Sony YAY! business head Leena Lele Dutta:

    “Sony YAY! has been consistently working towards building its rich ecosystem of #Happyverse. With its endearing characters that have created connect across the globe, we are excited to welcome Shin-chan to the Sony YAY! family. We are confident that Shin chan’s charm and mischief will resonate with our viewers.”

    TV Asahi head of animation sales and development, international business department – Maiko Sumida:

    “We are excited to partner with Sony YAY! and look forward to the comprehensive 360-degree footprint generation for Shin chan. We look forward to further growing the Shin chan brand in India through this collaboration.”