Sore Ike! Anpanman: Kokin-chan to Aoi Namida

Sore Ike! Anpanman: Kokin-chan to Aoi Namida was released in 2006 as a short film alongside the feature-length Anpanman movie, Daashud! Dandan to Futago no Hoshi. Created by Takashi Yanase, the Anpanman franchise has been a cultural staple in Japan since its inception as a picture book series in 1973. This specific short focuses on Kokin-chan, a popular character introduced as the younger sister of Dokin-chan, and follows her characteristic pattern of shedding tears that cause anyone they touch to weep uncontrollably.

The production was handled by Tokyo Movie Shinsha (TMS Entertainment), the studio responsible for the long-running anime adaptation. The narrative design prioritizes the educational and moral themes typical of the series, emphasizing emotional intelligence and empathy. Upon its release, it was received as a standard entry in the annual theatrical tradition of the franchise, serving to broaden the appeal of secondary characters like Kokin-chan to younger audiences, further cementing the longevity of the series within the Japanese animation industry.