Character Content We Want to See Animated! Suica Penguin, Ponta, and More Top the List – Popular Mascots from Everyday Life Gather
In recent years, we’ve seen many anime based on character content. This year, the anime ‘Hai! Myakumyaku desu‘, starring Myakumyaku, the official mascot of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, aired. In the summer, an anime featuring Sanrio’s My Melody called ‘My Melody & Kuromi‘ started streaming on Netflix. And right now, the fourth movie for San-X’s Sumikko Gurashi, ‘Eiga Sumikko Gurashi: Sora no Oukoku to Futari no Ko‘, is in theaters.
Many of us, familiar with these characters through goods and collaborations, probably dream of seeing them come to life and move around on screen in an anime, right?
With that in mind, Anime! Anime! conducted a reader survey titled “What character content or IP would you like to see animated?” from November 22nd to December 1st.
The gender ratio was about 35% male and 65% female, with slightly more female respondents. The age breakdown was about 50% under 19, with 20s and 30s each making up about 15%.
Popular Characters Integrated into Daily Life Take Center Stage!
In this survey’s results, we’ll pick up and introduce some of the most memorable reader comments we received.
First, many votes went to characters we often encounter in familiar, everyday places.
For example, the “Suica Penguin” has long been beloved as the mascot for JR East’s IC card, Suica.
One reader commented, “It became news that it will graduate as the image character in 2026. I was surprised to learn it was actually a character from a picture book by illustrator Chiharu Sakazaki called ‘Penguin Gokoro’. I have a lot of affection for it after all these years with the Suica card, so I hope it gets animated, even as a short anime.” touching on this year’s news.
The mascot for the point service Ponta, “Ponta”, is also popular.
“I feel close to it because I rely on it for daily shopping. There are family settings like Papa Ponta and Mama Ponta, and there’s also the Buffaloes☆Ponta that cheers for the Orix Buffaloes, so I think you could expand the story in all sorts of ways,” commented a reader, expecting diverse developments.
Characters from confectionery and food manufacturers are also memorable.
For “Hatobei”, the pigeon character from Toshimaya, famous for its dove-shaped cookies (Hato Sabure), a reader said: “When I turned a gacha at a Hato Sabure shop, I got a surfing Hatobei and it was so cute. I bet it would be even cuter animated…!”
For “Kewpie”, the mascot of the well-known mayonnaise company Kewpie Corporation, a comment read: “We see it move in shows like ‘3-minute Cooking’ and commercials, but I wonder what its voice would sound like. Its regional goods are popular too, so I think it would become even more talked about if animated.”
Furthermore, IPs from toys and plushies also garnered support.
For Bandai Spirits’ plastic model brand “30 MINUTES LABEL”, a reader suggested: “It’s an original brand consisting of three lines: the mecha-focused 30 MINUTES MISSIONS, the girls’ plastic models 30 MINUTES SISTERS, and the fantasy world 30 MINUTES FANTASY. Each kit has detailed settings, but since its selling point is customizability, I think a project animating viewer-original customs would be exciting.”
For Epoch’s dollhouse figurines “Sylvanian Families”, a fan said: “After reading the officially recognized manga ‘What if a Gal was Obsessed with Sylvanians?’, I became completely captivated by the charm of Sylvanian Families. It’s a cuteness that even adults can get hooked on!” showing how manga can be a gateway.
For Disney’s character series “Duffy & Friends”, a comment noted: “With so many different characters, if we could enjoy stories with them in an anime, I think we’d grow even more attached. This year had a 20th-anniversary event too, so I’m looking forward to future developments.” referencing the momentum of the anniversary year.
For San-X’s character “Chairoikoguma” (Brown Bear): “I fell in love at first sight when Chairoikoguma appeared in ‘Rilakkuma’. I think a solo anime for Koguma-chan would have a different vibe, and I’d really love to see it.”
Furthermore, for “Momobuta”, co-developed by San-X and Sega Toys, a reader shared: “A girl aiming to be an idol, with a motif of a peach and a pig. It actually had a serialization in the shoujo manga magazine ‘Ribon’. I’d be so happy if my favorite voice actor did the voice.” Votes gathered for a wide range of characters.
And then there’s “Choujinteki Share House Story ‘Charisma'”—it was actually announced for an anime adaptation during the voting period! This project features seven charismatic characters living together.
“If that chaotic story became an anime, what kind of pandemonium would it be…?” and “Since EVIL LINE RECORDS and Dazed, who worked on ‘Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle-‘, are involved in development and operation, there’s bound to be an anime,” were some predictions that have now quickly become reality.
Below, we reveal all the character content and IPs that received votes in one go. Please take a look here too.
Top 10 Ranking
[What character content or IP would you like to see animated?]
- 30 MINUTES LABEL
- LINE FRIENDS
- Suica no Penguin (Suica Penguin)
- Aopera -aoppella!?-
- Eiga Dorobou (Movie Thief)
- Erika-chan
- Onsen Musume
- Kaiten Muten Maru
- Kasane Teto
- Kewpie
- Kumamon
- Komine Shiro
- Sanrio Characters
- Cinnamoroll
- Sylvanian Families
- Jikuu Senshi Ibaliger (Time-Space Warrior Ibaliger)
- Shirotan
- Suwa Hime
- Chairoikoguma
- Choujinteki Share House Story 『Charisma』
- Duffy & Friends
- Tamatan
- Hatosaburou (Hato Sabure)
- Hatsune Miku
- Hanamaru Obake
- Piske & Usagi
- Funassyi
- Fragalia Memories
- Hexagear
- Ponta (Ponta Card)
- Marugamejou to 12-nin no Ohimesama (Marugame Castle and the 12 Princesses)
- Momobuta
- LoveBu
- Lotte Baby I Love You daze
(Survey Period: November 22 – December 1, 2025)
—Takahashi Katsunori
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