The Nontan picture books are heading back to animation. The official announcement came Saturday via the series' X account, revealing a new 3D CG-animated work is in development to celebrate the franchise's 50th anniversary.

Nontan, the mischievous white cat protagonist created by the late Sachiko Kiyono, first appeared in print in 1976 with "Nontan Buranko Nosete" ("Nontan, Let Me Play on the Swing"). Over five decades, the character has become a cultural fixture in children's media, with the books alone selling more than 35 million copies worldwide.

The franchise has a solid track record with animation. Studio Pierrot produced a "musical-styled" series in 1992 called "Non-tan to Issho" ("Together with Nontan"), which introduced the character to television audiences. That success led to the "Non-tan to Issho: Study Series" OVA in the late 1990s, followed by "Genki Genki Non-tan," a 3D CG-animated series that debuted in 2002. Since then, the books have received periodic special episodes and new animations.

Beyond the new anime, Nontan's milestone year includes a physical celebration. The franchise will host an interactive exhibit at PLAY! MUSEUM in Tokyo running from July 18 through September 27. The exhibit aims to give fans a hands-on experience with the character and his world.

Kiyono, who created Nontan and authored numerous picture books, passed away in 2008 at age 60 from a brain tumor. Despite her passing, the character has continued to thrive through merchandise, video games, musicals, and various media adaptations—a testament to the lasting appeal of her creation.

With this new CG adaptation, a new generation of children will get to experience Nontan's adventures while longtime fans can revisit the character in a fresh format. Details on the animation's release date and streaming availability haven't been announced yet.