The mischievous white cat Nontan is making a return to the screen. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the late Sachiko Kiyono’s beloved picture book franchise, a new 3D CG animated project has been confirmed. While the franchise has a long history of adaptations, this latest entry will be presented as a film consisting of five distinct short stories, maintaining the 3D aesthetic that has characterized the series' modern iterations.
Since debuting in 1976 with Nontan Buranko Nosete, the series has become a staple of Japanese children's literature, boasting over 35 million copies in circulation. The franchise saw its first major television adaptation in 1992 with Studio Pierrot’s Non-tan to Issho, followed by a series of educational OVAs and the 2002 3D CG series Genki Genki Non-tan. This new project serves as a bridge between the classic source material and the franchise's ongoing legacy following Kiyono's passing in 2008.
Beyond the screen, the anniversary celebration extends to the physical realm with an interactive exhibit hosted at the PLAY! MUSEUM in Tokyo. Running from July 18 through September 27, the event invites fans to engage with the world of the curious white cat as the franchise marks its half-century milestone.
