MIPCOM Spotlight: TV Asahi Corporation

TV Asahi Corporation is hosting the world premiere of Obocchama-kun at MIPCOM.

Based on the popular manga by Yoshinori Kobayashi, the comedy series centers on a “crazy rich” boy and his outrageous school life and family love. Obocchama-kun is a co-production between TV Asahi and Sony YAY!, and it is due to finish production in Q4 2024.

The company’s animation slate also features Doraemon and Shin chan. “Doraemon is one of the longest-running Japanese animation series and is about a robot cat from the future,” says Maiko Sumida, head of animation sales and development. “With his gadgets, he saves a boy from getting into trouble.”

Doraemon has 1,000-plus episodes, and the production is ongoing. Shin chan is a slice-of-life show about a cheeky 5-year-old boy. The brand’s 31st movie marks its first in CGI.

“For a very long time, TV Asahi’s main focus for the international business of animation was on sales and distribution, but now we are expanding into development,” Sumida says.

Also on offer, the series Doctor-X aired for seven seasons and has been adapted into its first movie, available from TV Asahi Corporation. It depicts the activities of the lone-wolf genius surgeon Michiko Daimon. “True to her words, ‘I never fail,’ Daimon, who has successfully performed numerous difficult surgeries, now faces her greatest crisis in this movie,” Sumida says.

The company is also launching a new entertainment format, The Dance Master, which puts a comedic spin on dance competitions.