A new Rilakkuma anime adaptation, confirmed to be a short anime series, is officially slated to premiere in April 2026. The announcement on Monday also unveiled the main production staff behind the upcoming project, with Production I.G handling the animation.
Production Details and Animation Studio
The beloved San-X character, Rilakkuma, will see its latest animated iteration produced by the renowned studio Production I.G. Known for its work on series such as “Ghost in the Shell” and “Haikyu!!”, Production I.G is expected to bring a polished 2D style while maintaining the character’s gentle tone. Aniplex revealed the details alongside a teaser visual for the series.
Key Creative Team Behind the Series
The project boasts an experienced team in its main staff. Yoshimi Itazu (also credited as Masami Itatsu), recognized for their work on The Concierge anime film, will serve as one of the directors, alongside Yumi Kamakura, who has worked on titles like The Grimm Variations and Mashin Sōzōden Wataru.
Chitose Morita (also credited as Chiyo Morita), who also contributed to The Concierge anime film, is in charge of character design. The musical score will be composed by a team including Kōta Yokoseki, Yoshiya Ikeda, and Mizuki Kanno, with Legendoor overseeing music production. Keiko Matsushita, another veteran from The Concierge and the Haikyu!! series, is credited as the animation producer.
Theme Song and Visuals
The theme song for the short anime, titled “stay with me,” will be performed by Lilas Ikuta, a vocalist from the popular music unit YOASOBI. A teaser visual featuring Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, Kiiroitori, and Chairoikoguma has been released, giving fans a first glimpse into the series’ aesthetic. Additionally, an official anime X (formerly Twitter) account and an official website have been launched, providing further updates and character visuals.
Rilakkuma’s Expanding Animated Universe
This new short anime marks another expansion for the Rilakkuma franchise in animation. San-X first launched the character, created by Aki Kondo, in 2003. The character has previously been adapted into successful stop-motion animated series for Netflix, including Rilakkuma and Kaoru (2019) and Rilakkuma’s Theme Park Adventure (2022). The new series promises to explore Rilakkuma’s daily routine and simple pleasures in a fresh 2D animation style.
