Hoppe-chan: Sun Oukoku to Kuro Hoppe-dan no Himitsu

Hoppe-chan: Sun Oukoku to Kuro Hoppe-dan no Himitsu was produced by Toon Harbor Works in 2026 as part of the broader expansion of the Hoppe-chan franchise, which originated from the popular Sunhoseki line of teardrop-shaped character charms. This series was developed to transition the brand into long-form narrative storytelling, focusing on a quest-based adventure set within the Sun Kingdom. The project reflects the studio's attempt to modernize the aesthetic of the character for a contemporary television audience, emphasizing high-production cel animation techniques that contrast with the franchise's origins in simple retail merchandise.

The character design for this series was handled by the Toon Harbor internal creative team, who aimed to preserve the iconic teardrop silhouette while introducing more complex expressions and dynamic motion for television. The series was designed to appeal to both long-time fans of the charms and a younger demographic, balancing familiar visual markers with an expansive, lore-heavy narrative. Upon its release, it was noted primarily for its fidelity to the established character brand, serving as a promotional cornerstone for the 2026 merchandise wave.