Two
generations of Japanese pop culture are about to collide. The official X
(Twitter) account of the long-running anime Chibi Maruko-chan announced
on Thursday that superstar Ado will be in charge of performing
the new version of the iconic opening theme, "Odoru
Ponpokorin". The new opening will premiere on television
on December 28 and will have a special attraction: Ado herself will
appear designed as an animated character within the world of the series.
The series
had used the version of "Odoru Ponpokorin" performed
by the idol group Momoiro Clover Z since 2019. The original
theme was composed by the manga's own creator, Momoko Sakura, and
originally popularized by B.B.Queens.
A
franchise in transition
This
musical change comes in a year of transformation for the franchise. In April
2024, voice actress Kokoro Kikuchi (voice of Sarada in Boruto)
took on the role of Maruko, replacing the legendary TARAKO, who
passed away in March 2024 after having voiced the protagonist for 34 years,
since the show's premiere in 1990. The original creator, Momoko Sakura, passed
away in 2018.
Maruko's
legacy
Based on the comic manga about the daily life of a third-grade girl, Chibi Maruko-chan has more than 32.5 million copies in print. The anime consistently remains the third most-watched animated series on Japanese television, behind only Sazae-san and Detective Conan, airing on Sundays at 6:00 p.m. on Fuji TV.
