The Sanrio Amiibo cards for Animal Crossing: New Horizons have been a smash hit with Animal Crossing and Sanrio fans. Everywhere that stocked the cards sold out of them within minutes. On top of this, new shipments are selling out before stores can even list them. So, to make the wait for new stock easier, here are five of the best Sanrio anime to watch while you stake ou tstore pages waiting for them to restock.
5. Hello Kitty and Friends
Running from 1989 to 1994, Hello Kitty and Friends was a collection of direct-to-video OVAs in Japan. These OVAs were dubbed in English and released as a TV series in America, broadcast on CBS and then later rerun on Toon Disney. The TV show was made up of just the episodes that featured Hello Kitty. Most of these stories feature her and her rarely-seen twin-sister Mimmy as they get involved in various hijinks and mischief, as well as some retellings of classic fairytales.
However, the various DVD collections based on the series contain English dubbed versions of some Non-Hello Kitty OVAs, including stories that star Keroppi, Pekkle and Pochacco. Overall, there have been seven DVD volumes released. These cartoons are what you expect from a classic Hello Kitty show, sporting charming 2D animation and simple, cozy storytelling. However, it holds up surprisingly well and has a really comforting feel.
4. Sanrio Boys
One of the strangest and most forgotten anime on this list, Sanrio Boys started life as a social media project to try and market several of Sanrio's most popular characters. The idea was for each boy to have an in-character social media account that promoted their linked character. However, the concept proved to be popular, and the idea was expanded beyond social media. The series got a mobile phone game, drama CDs and even an anime that can be watched on Crunchyroll.
The series follows Kouta Hasegawa, a boy who loves Pompompurin, as he joins a new school. While at first he's bullied for his love of cute things, he soon meets other pretty boys who love Sanrio characters, and together they form deep friendships and plan to win over the rest of the school. While the series doesn't even try to hide the fact it is an advertisement, it is an interesting Sanrio curiosity. Seeing Sanrio try to tap into the bishōnen market is fascinating, and the show, while odd, has a few pretty touching moments.
3. Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater
Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater was released in 1987. The show was produced by DIC Enterprises and animated by Toei Animation. The series is made up of 13 episodes, each of which includes two stories. Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater is a bit like a Hello Kitty version of The Muppet Show. Hello Kitty and her friends run a theater in London, putting on various plays. However, each episode also includes some comedy set in the backstage area, showing the cast trying to keep the show running smoothly.
Each episode is a parody of a classic fairytale or story. While stories like Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood are expected, the show also features some really surprising parodies. During the series, Hello Kitty and her friends perform things like Frankenstein, E.T., Jaws and even a surprisingly clever and detailed Star Wars parody. In 2004, MGM Home Entertainment released DVDs containing most of the show's episodes. However, a How The Grinch Stole Christmas parody was omitted from these DVDs for unknown reasons.
2. Button Nose
Button Nose, animated by Topcraft, was the first made-for-TV animation Sanrio worked on. It was first shown on Japanese television in 1985 and ended in 1986. It tells the story of Button Nose, a little girl whose parents are away. One day, Button Nose spots a robot that had landed from space in its rocket ship.
Button Nose accidentally turns the spaceship on and ends up being taken to the robot's home planet, a place full of castles, fantasy creatures and oversized fruit. However, Button Nose doesn't need to worry, as she is related to the king, and he is more than happy to let her stay. When the ruler falls sick, Button Nose is asked to find a cure made the temporary ruler of the kingdom. And, when the king eventually heals, he lets Button Nose continue to rule alongside him.
Saban dubbed the show in 1994, and it was shown as part of the Fox Kids block. The show is a delight to watch, even today. The story is charming, and the early-'80s animation helps make the fantastical and whimsical world look delightfully dreamlike.
1. Aggretsuko
Introduced in 2015, Aggretsuko is one of the newest Sanrio brands. Retsuko is a red panda who works in an office and deals with all of the issues office workers have to put up with. However, Retsuko has a secret. She works out her frustrations by going to a karaoke bar and screaming her lungs out to death metal.
The character first debuted in a series of animated shorts, animated by Fanworks and broadcast on Tokyo Broadcasting System Television between 2016 and 2018. In 2018 an OVA launched on Netflix in both Japanese and English. This turned the show into a longer-form episodic series. This series fleshed out both Retsuko and the people she deals with in her office. This series proved such a success that it has had three seasons, a Christmas special and a fourth season is currently in development.
The show received a lot of praise from viewers. It is funny, emotional and perfectly nails the frustration that many millennial office workers feel. Retsuko really is a character that everyone can empathize with, and we all know at least one person who is like her supporting characters.