The beloved Fairy Princess Minky Momo magical girl franchise is set to receive its first new anime in 31 years with the announcement of a new Original Video Animation (OVA). This highly anticipated return to the world of Fenarinarsa was announced alongside a special visual drawn by Hiroshi Watanabe, a key animator and animation director on the original series, as part of animation studio Ashi Productions’ 50th-anniversary celebrations.
A Return to the World of Dreams
The Fairy Princess Minky Momo franchise, known for its enchanting magical girl narratives, centers on Momo, a princess from Fenarinarsa, the “land of dreams in the sky.” This ethereal kingdom, sustained by human imagination, faces the threat of disappearing from Earth’s orbit as humanity loses its dreams and hopes. To prevent this, Momo is sent to Earth by her royal parents to revive mankind’s dreams, transforming into an adult version of herself to accomplish various tasks with the help of her animal companions: Sindbook (a dog), Mocha (a monkey), and Pipil (a bird).
The Legacy of Minky Momo
The original Magical Princess Minky Momo television anime premiered on March 18, 1982, and ran for 63 episodes until May 26, 1983, on TV Tokyo. This initial series was directed by Kunihiko Yuyama and featured series composition by Takeshi Shudo, who later became renowned for his work on Pokémon.
A second television series, Magical Princess Minky Momo: Hold on to Your Dreams, aired from 1991 to 1992 on NTV, spanning 62 episodes. While sharing the same premise, this second series featured a different Momo and redesigned animal companions.
Over the years, the franchise has seen several OVA releases, including Yume no Naka no Rondo (1985), Hitomi no Seiza (1987), Yume ni Kakeru Hashi (1993), and Tabidachi no Eki (1994). The most recent anime content prior to this announcement was in 1994, making this new OVA the first in 31 years.
The New OVA: What We Know
Details regarding the plot, specific release date, and voice cast for the new Minky Momo OVA are eagerly awaited. However, the announcement itself signifies a significant milestone for the franchise and its dedicated fanbase. The involvement of Hiroshi Watanabe, a veteran animator from the original series, in drawing the anniversary visual suggests a respectful nod to the franchise’s origins and classic aesthetic.
Ashi Productions’ 50th Anniversary
The announcement of the new Minky Momo OVA coincides with Ashi Productions’ 50th anniversary. This celebration highlights the studio’s long history in anime production and its enduring contribution to the magical girl genre. Minky Momo is often credited as a pioneer in the modern magical girl archetype, influencing subsequent titles like Sailor Moon with its transformative sequences where the protagonist assumes an empowered adult guise.
Fans can currently stream both Fairy Princess Minky Momo series on Crunchyroll, which describes the anime as a quest to spread joy and revive the dreams of mankind. The franchise has also recently launched official social media accounts and re-released soundtrack albums, further indicating a renewed interest and celebration of its legacy.
The return of Fairy Princess Minky Momo with a new anime project is a welcome development for long-time fans and an opportunity for a new generation to discover the magical adventures of the princess from Fenarinarsa.
