Ojarumaru: Heianchou Onigami Kessen

Ojarumaru: Heianchou Onigami Kessen is a 2022 animated special derived from the long-running Ojarumaru series, which first debuted on NHK in 1998. The franchise was originally created by Rinmaru, featuring a Heian-period prince who travels to modern-day Japan. This special was produced by Studio Gallop to celebrate the enduring legacy of the character, moving away from the typical short-form television episode format to deliver a more cinematic narrative set within the series' signature whimsical and lighthearted tone.

The production maintains the aesthetic established by the original creator and the studio's decades-long stewardship of the property. By focusing on the Heian-period roots of the protagonist, the special emphasizes the series' core themes of cultural juxtaposition and gentle comedy. Upon its release, it was well-received by the long-standing fan base for its commitment to the established visual style and the character-driven storytelling that has kept Ojarumaru a fixture of Japanese children's television for over twenty years.