Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō

Anime

The original series first aired on TV Setouchi and in all other TXN stations from December 13, 1993, to March 31, 2008, becoming the 19th longest running anime in Japan from its debut to its final episode with a total of 726 episodes, right behind Hello Kitty's Paradise and Hamtaro. The series' first opening theme is "Shima Torando Island" (しまとらンドアイランド, Shima Torando Airando; Lit. Striped Tiger Land Island) by Shima Shima Kids, which is used in the first 226 episodes, and the second opening theme is "Skip Step Island" (スキップ ステップ アイランド, Sukippu Suteppu Airando) by Omi Minami, which is used in the remaining 500 episodes. The first ending theme is titled "Zutto Motto Daisuki" (ずっともっと大好き, Zutto Motto Daisuki; Lit. I Love It Much More And More) by Shima Shima Kids, which is used in the first 176 episodes, the second ending theme is "Happy Jam Jam" (ハッピー・ジャムジャム, Happī•Jamu Jamu) by M.S.J, which is used in the remaining 550 episodes (also used during the spring and autumn from 2005 to 2008, and starting in episode 701), and the third ending theme is "Nyanda Korya" (にゃんだこりゃ, Nyanda Korya; Lit. Nyan-Plain Phrases) by Omi Minami and Bin Shimada, which is also used in the remaining half 550 episodes (also used during the winter and summer from 2005 to 2007).

The second series, Hakken Taiken Daisuki! Shimajirō, first aired on TV Setouchi and in all other TXN stations from April 7, 2008, to March 29, 2010. The series' opening theme is "Everyday Challenger" (まいにちチャレンジャー, Mainichi Charenjā). The ending theme is "Happy Jam Jam" (ハッピー・ジャムジャム, Happī•Jamu Jamu). Both of which were performed by Omi Minami, Miki Takahashi, Takumi Yamazaki and Saori Sugimoto.

The third series, Shimajirō Hesoka, first aired on TV Setouchi and all other TXN stations from April 5, 2010, to March 26, 2012. The series' first opening theme is "SoraSora☆Aozora" (ソラソラ☆あおぞら, Sorasora☆Aozora; Lit. Sky Blue Sky) by Aki Toyosaki for the first 51 episodes, and the second opening theme is "Rainbow" (レインボー, Reinbō) by Yusuke Kamiji for the remaining 50 episodes. The first ending theme is titled "Shima Mimi Tori Ramu" (しまみみとりらむっ, Shima Mimi Tori Ramuu; Lit. Striped Ear Bird Lamb) by Fusanosuke Kondō for the first 18 episodes, and later for the remaining 62 episodes, and the second ending theme is "Happy Jam Jam (HE SO KA Version)" (ハッピー・ジャムジャム （HE SO KAバージョン）, Happī•Jamu Jamu (HE SO KA Bājon)) by Tomomi Ukumori for episodes 19 to 39.

The fourth and current series, Shimajirō no Wao!, began airing on April 2, 2012. The first opening theme is "Our Miraculous Planet" (ボクらのほしのミラクル, Bokura no Hoshi no Mirakuru; Lit. Our Miraculous Planet) by Daudi Joseph from episodes 14 to 51, and later episodes 65 to 78, and then episodes 104 to 359, and starting in episode 515, the second opening is "Let's Go with Shimajirō" (しまじろうと いこうよ, Shimajirō to Ikōyo) by HARCO from episodes 52 to 64, and later episodes 79 to 82, and the third opening theme is Sekai Wa Wao! (せかいはワオ!, Sekai Wa Wao!; Lit. A World Of Wow!). The first ending theme is "Tomodachi no Wow!" (トモダチのわお!, Tomodachi no Wao!; Lit. Friends Of Wow!) by Puffy AmiYumi from episodes 1 to 193, and later starting in episode 206, and the second ending theme is "Okinawa Wawawa" (おきなわ わわわ!, Okinawa Wawawa!; Lit. Okinawa Woah!) by Atsuko Hiyajou from episodes 194 to 205. This series was distributed for YouTube in the United States and Canada by WildBrain Spark.^[1]

The official music of the series is composed by Shin'ya Naitō. Akifumi Tada (Tenchi Muyo! GXP) composed the music in Hakken Taiken Daisuki! Shimajirō. Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō is one of the longest running anime series in Japan (and series/franchise in general) behind Hello Kitty's Paradise and Hamtaro.

Films

Awards

The latest series was also nominated in the 2016 International Emmy Awards for best animated series, alongside Ronia the Robber's Daughter.^[3] In 2021, episode Shimajiro: A World of WOW! Our Oceans received the Asian Academy Creative Award for Best Preschool Program and the ContentAsia Award for Best Kids TV Program (non-animated).^[4]

Popularityy

Shimajirō became one of the most iconic anime characters in Japan for preschoolers, rivaling Anpanman in terms of ratings. On his initial release, he widely appeared in various Kodomo Challenge products and products from other companies and sponsors. Also, Takara Tomy and Benesse created a limited edition Tomica "Shimajiro Car" that is limitedly distributed to Kodomo Challenge members all over Japan.^[5] Japanese car company Toyota created a life-sized replica of the Tomica model, titled the "426GT Shimajirō Car "^[6] which is a Customized Toyota Estima Hybrid. In 2013, a new version of the car is released by called "426EV Shimajirō Car II", based on the Tesla Model S.^[7][8] Tomica released a model version of the car under the name "Dream Car Tomica Shimajiro II" in February 2014 for Kodomo Challenge members and a retail release in March 2014.^[9]

Japan Airlines had special "Shimajirō JET" liveries featuring Shimajirō characters on a mainline Boeing 737-800 registered JA330J from March 2019 to February 2020, as well as an Embraer 190 operated by subsidiary J-Air and registered JA254J, from September 2018 to September 2019.^{[citation needed]}

Overseas popularity

Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō is officially released in various TV stations in Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia. The Mandarin dub version is called Qiaohu (Chinese: 巧虎; pinyin: qiǎo hǔ) and is known for having "... thoughtful and scrupulous tutoring methods, as well as elaborate educational materials." The show contains cartoons as well as acted out portions that feature the signature tiger mascot as well as a rabbit and a few actors.^[10]

According to another source, the firm which sponsored the character has franchises in Beijing and Shanghai which has been considered "successful" by many parents for its ability to inspire children with "good character" amid China's recent social issues.^[11] This idea is further reinforced as it teaches children "how to love to learn" "build positive personality and good habit", addressing the need in children's different stages of learning.^[12] In 2014, the firm plans big staging events in Beijing under the title "Dawn of the Adventure Island" in Beijing's Haidian Theater. The anticipated event is notable in that it is one of the first shows targeted towards an audience of children rather than "... conventional justice evil drama of violence and adult language of thinking...", which is referring to Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf.^[13] According to Amazon.com, the franchise was released on DVD in the year 2010.^[14]

In Taiwan, Shimajirō is the most popular character among children aged 0 to 6.^[2]