A new stop-motion animated series featuring Sanrio’s beloved characters, My Melody and Kuromi, is set to debut worldwide on Netflix on July 24, 2025. An official clip has been revealed, offering fans a glimpse into the handcrafted world of Mariland.
Series Details and Production
The series, titled My Melody & Kuromi, will consist of 12 episodes, each approximately 13 minutes in length. This production marks the first time these popular characters have been brought to life through stop-motion animation, a technique praised for its detailed and warm visuals.
Tomoki Misato, known for directing the Pui Pui Molcar stop-motion television series, is at the helm of this new project. The script is penned by Shūko Nemoto. The animation is being produced by TORUKU, a stop-motion studio associated with WIT STUDIO.
The series arrives as a dual celebration: My Melody’s 50th anniversary and Kuromi’s 20th anniversary.
Plot and Characters
The story unfolds in Mariland, the home of My Melody and Kuromi. My Melody opens a bustling cake shop with her friends Flat and Piano. However, after encountering a mysterious heart in the forest, strange occurrences begin to affect her surroundings. Meanwhile, across the street, Kuromi’s Japanese sweets shop struggles to attract customers. Kuromi, My Melody’s self-proclaimed rival, sets out to uncover the secret behind My Melody’s successful cakes.
The two characters eventually find themselves working to prepare for a sweets-making contest, judged by the renowned pastry chef Pistachio. Unbeknownst to them, this contest will lead to an incident that threatens the very fate of Mariland, forcing the contrasting duo to potentially collaborate to save their home.
The theme song for the series, “Kawaii (Prod. Gen Hoshino),” is performed by the K-pop group LE SSERAFIM, with a first glimpse of the song featured in the trailer.
The Revealed Clip
The recently released clip provides a preview of the stop-motion animation style and introduces some of the series’ elements. Descriptions of the clip note My Melody smiling in front of a vanilla-frosted cupcake with hearts in her eyes, while Kuromi is shown looking shocked and then angry in a dark, hot pink room. Another source indicates the clip features an “automobile action sequence,” showcasing the dynamic possibilities of the stop-motion medium.
