Fans of the beloved romantic comedy anime franchise “Please Teacher!” (also known as “Onegai Teacher”) now have the opportunity to directly support a new animation video project. Production company Genco, Inc. launched a crowdfunding campaign on the Motion Gallery website, seeking to raise 25,000,000 yen (approximately US$160,000) to bring a “reboot” of the “Onegai” series to life.
The campaign, which began on Thursday, November 27, 2025, is set to conclude on March 28, 2026, and marks an exciting development for the franchise that first debuted in 2002.
Campaign Goals and Production Timeline
The primary objective of the crowdfunding initiative is to secure the necessary funds to commence production of the new animation video in December. The project is projected to reach completion around April or May 2026. The ambitious goal of 25 million yen demonstrates the scale of the planned animation and the commitment to delivering a high-quality product for fans.
What the Funds Will Support
The raised funds will directly contribute to the production costs of the new video. The animation is planned to include two distinct stories, focusing on the fan-favorite pairings of Mizuho and Kei, and Koishi and Ichigo. The finished animation is intended for limited screenings in Tokyo and the Lake Kizaki area in Nagano, which serves as the iconic setting for both “Please Teacher!” and its spin-off, “Please Twins!”. A Blu-ray Disc release is also planned.
Returning Creative Team Members
Adding to the excitement, several key members from the original “Please!” series creative team are returning for this new project. Yasunori Ide, who directed both “Please Teacher!” and “Please Twins!”, will once again be at the helm, directing the new video at Studio M2. Taraku Uon, the original character designer for the series, is also returning to contribute to the new character designs. Background art will be handled by Kusanagi, a studio also involved in the original series. Emi Yonezawa is credited as the producer, with Bandai Namco Filmworks producing the Blu-ray Disc and Genco credited for overall production. Atsuko Nakajima, who contributed key animation to the ending credits and a specific episode of the original “Please Teacher!”, will draw an illustration for the project.
The Legacy of “Please Teacher!”
“Please Teacher!” (Onegai Teacher), a science fiction romantic comedy, first captivated audiences when it premiered in Japan in January 2002. The story revolves around high school student Kei Kusanagi, who discovers his new teacher, Mizuho Kazami, is an alien from the Galaxy Federation. To keep her secret safe, Kei is forced into a marriage with Mizuho, leading to a series of comedic and romantic complications.
The series quickly garnered a dedicated fanbase, leading to a manga adaptation, a light novel, and a spin-off series, “Please Twins!”, which debuted in 2003. Both anime were animated by Daume and directed by Yasunori Ide, with scripts by Yōsuke Kuroda. The picturesque Lake Kizaki area in Nagano served as a prominent and accurately featured setting for the series.
How to Support the Campaign
Interested fans can contribute to the “Please Teacher!” new animation video project through the Motion Gallery crowdfunding platform. The campaign offers various contribution tiers, with the highest tier (110,000 yen, approximately US$703) including a new “Please Teacher!” Blu-ray with special sleeve cases, a participation commemoration postcard and sticker, an anthology comic, and an acrylic file set with new illustrations.
Crowdfunding has become an increasingly popular method for creative projects, allowing creators to connect directly with their audience and secure funding for ambitious endeavors. This campaign offers a unique opportunity for long-time fans to become an integral part of the continuation of the “Please Teacher!” legacy.
