TV Asahi announced its new short anime programming block "PicoAni" on Monday, introducing a lineup designed to appeal to younger viewers with bite-sized episodes throughout the week.

Current and Upcoming Series

Koupen-chan continues its run on the block, airing Sundays at 8:00 a.m. JST. The series adapts Rurutea's penguin character, which debuted on social media in 2017 and has grown into a merchandise phenomenon. Voice actors include Ayaka Saitō as the titular penguin, with Junji Majima and Kazuya Ichijō rounding out the cast. Director Kyō Yatate (known for Bananya) helms the series at studio Lesprit.

Sirotan, Creative Yoko's beloved white seal mascot, gets its television debut in October, airing Saturdays at 4:29 p.m. JST. Voice actress Aoi Yūki takes on the role after previously voicing the character in short animations on the official YouTube channel. Arisa Okada directs at Lesprit, with TV Asahi and Shinei Animation producing.

New Additions

Pop Pap Polters launches in October on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. JST, with MOZU STUDIOS handling animation production and direction.

Two series debut in January 2027: Momomo! Ninimo, a 3DCG collaboration between Pinkfong and TV Asahi, follows Nini, an adorable orange cat who dislikes cucumbers. The series airs Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. JST.

Josemaru, based on creator Inochi-ya's plush toy character concept, premieres Sundays at 10:00 a.m. JST, also in January. Inochi-ya directs the series at studio Animi.

Strategic Positioning

The PicoAni block represents TV Asahi's effort to consolidate its short-form anime content into a dedicated programming space. By pairing established characters like Koupen-chan and Sirotan with new properties, the network targets both existing fan bases and younger audiences discovering these mascots for the first time. The mix of 2D animation, 3DCG, and varied creative teams suggests variety within the block's format.