Penguindrum
2011 • Brain's Base
- Format
- TV
- Aired
- 2011
- Episodes
- 24
- Status
- Finished
- Studio
- Brain's Base · Mainichi Broadcasting System · Sentai Filmworks
- Genres
- Drama · Mystery · Psychological · Supernatural
Once you make a decision, does the universe conspire to make it happen? Is destiny a matter of chance, a matter of choice or the complex outcome of thousands of warring strands of fate? All twins Kanba and Shoma know is that when their terminally ill sister Himari collapses at the aquarium, her death is somehow temporarily reversed by the penguin hat that she had asked for. It's a provisional resurrection, however, and it comes at a price: to keep Himari alive they need to find the mysterious Penguin Drum. In order to do that, they must first find the links to a complex interlocking chain of riddles that has wrapped around their entire existence, and unravel the knots that tie them to mystifying diary and a baffling string of strangers and semi-acquaintances who all have their own secrets, agendas and "survival strategies." And in order for Himari to live, someone else's chosen destiny will have to change. It's a story of love, fate, life, death... and Penguins!
Synopsis from AniList
Where to find one
Search for Penguindrum on the marketplaces collectors use.
Listings from external marketplaces. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
Where it came from
Penguindrum, originally released in 2011, was created and directed by Kunihiko Ikuhara to commemorate the fifteenth anniversary of his influential career. Produced by the studio Brain's Base, the series emerged from a desire to explore complex themes of collective destiny and personal sacrifice within the framework of a modern fairy tale. It was heavily inspired by the collective trauma of the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack, using the narrative of the Takakura siblings to investigate how individuals grapple with the weight of historical guilt and the search for identity in an indifferent society.
The distinctive visual aesthetic of the show was developed in collaboration with character designer Lily Hoshino, whose ethereal, delicate style provided a stark contrast to the series' heavy thematic undertones. The production utilized highly stylized, symbolic iconography and recurring motifs, such as the mysterious penguin companions and the overarching train imagery, to create a surreal atmosphere. Upon its broadcast, the series was received as a challenging and visually arresting work of auteur animation, garnering significant critical attention for its nonlinear storytelling and its poignant meditation on the concept of 'fate' versus individual agency.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real anime collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Penguindrum
Penguindrum is a anime in the Anime catalog on collecto.rs. 2011 • Brain's Base. Catalog data is sourced from AniList. No public anime collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Penguindrum on collecto.rs?
Penguindrum doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Penguindrum?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your anime, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other anime collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Penguindrum catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Penguindrum is sourced from AniList. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs anime tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your anime is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every anime you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
