Kamisama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama
A girl bonds with a tiny god born from a cherished pencil.
Kamisama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama is a Japanese anime series produced by OLM, Inc., based on a toy line and media franchise from Bandai Namco Holdings. The story follows Kokoro Yotsuba, a fifth-grade girl who lives in the coastal town of Aozora. Though clumsy, she takes good care of her belongings, remembering her grandmother’s lesson that everything has a soul and should be cherished. One day, a strange egg appears from her most treasured colored pencil, and a small god named Luckytama—a Cocotama—hatches from it. Kokoro discovers him after school, and to keep him existing, she must sign a “Secret Contract” promising never to reveal the Cocotamas’ existence and to care for him with love. She then meets other Cocotamas who either become friends or cause trouble.
The series was directed by Norio Nitta, written by Michihiro Tsuchiya, with character designs by Shinobu Ookawa. It aired on all TXN stations in Japan from October 2015 to June 2018, taking over the timeslot of *Tamagotchi!*. The Cocotamas incorporate elements from both Shinto and Christian mythologies. A second series, *Kira Kira Happy Hirake! Cocotama*, ran as a sequel and spinoff from September 2018 to September 2019.
The anime and toy line were first revealed together at the 2015 Tokyo Toy Fair on June 18, 2015, with an October release planned. Business partners at the unveiling included Bandai President Kazunori Ueno, TXN’s Yukio Kawasaki, OLM’s Toshiaki Okuno, Lantis’s Yoshie Terunari, Bandai’s Hiroshi Kawata, and Kodansha’s Narabe Ayumi. The franchise was designed as a multimedia project aimed at girls, centered on the theme of “cherishing things you care for.” Kodansha announced a serialized kids’ manga in *Tanoshī Yōchien*, and toys launched in September 2015.
The Cocotama House Series toy line debuted on September 19, 2015, with a set including a small Luckytama figure and a decorative dollhouse. The line focuses on decorating and expanding the dollhouse with additional sets that connect to the main house. Cocotama figures were released the same month, each inside a plastic egg that “cracks” open to reveal the figure. Other merchandise includes stationery, plush toys, and novelty items.
The anime aired from October 1, 2015, to June 28, 2018. Its opening songs were “Coro Coro Cocotama!” for episodes 1–76, “Cocotama Happy~Paradise!” for episodes 77–126, and “Coro Coro Cocotama! ~Naka N
- field
- Anime television series
- nationality
- Japanese
- based_on
- Toys and media franchise by Bandai Namco Holdings
- directed_by
- Norio Nitta
- written_by
- Michihiro Tsuchiya
- animated_by
- OLM, Inc.
- original_run
- October 2015 – June 2018
Lore & Background
The series and toy line were simultaneously unveiled at the 2015 Tokyo Toy Fair on June 18, 2015, and scheduled for an October release. Business partners included Bandai President and CEO Kazunori Ueno, TXN's Anime Bureau member Yukio Kawasaki, OLM Representative Toshiaki Okuno, Lantis's Yoshie Terunari, Bandai's Hiroshi Kawata, and Narabe Ayumi of Kodansha. The series was planned as a multimedia franchise aimed at girls, with the concept of 'cherishing things you care for.' Kodansha confirmed the series would be serialized as a kid's manga in Tanoshī Yōchien, and toys released in September 2015.
The story follows Kokoro Yotsuba, a fifth-grader living in the seaside town of Aozora, who is clumsy yet takes good care of her belongings. After her grandmother told her that 'everything has a soul,' a strange egg is born from her cherished colored pencil, revealing Luckytama, a Cocotama. He asks Kokoro to sign a 'Secret Contract' to keep the Cocotamas' existence secret and care for him with love. She must ensure she never reveals their secret while meeting other Cocotamas who befriend or cause trouble.
The anime aired from October 1, 2015 to June 28, 2018, replacing Tamagotchi! Tama Tomo Daishū GO! on its initial timeslot. Multiple opening and ending themes were performed by artists including Erika, Kaede Hondo, Megumi Han, and Aki Toyosaki. An 8-episode special program titled Kamisama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama: Natsu Da! Ōhashagi Special aired from July 5, 2018 to August 30, 2018.
Reader's Guide
Kamisama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama represents a significant cross-media franchise from Bandai Namco Holdings, blending anime, toys, and manga aimed at a young female audience. The toy franchise achieved notable commercial success, with more than 1 million total sales by December 2015, later reaching 1.4 million. By May 2018, the Cocotama Dolls had shipped more than 5 million pieces, and the Cocotama House had shipped more than 1 million pieces. The series' themes of cherishing belongings and the secret bond between a human and a tiny god resonated with viewers, leading to international broadcasts in South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, and the MENA region. A theatrical film adaptation was released in Japan on April 28, 2017, debuting in 10th place at the Japanese box office during Golden Week across 151 theaters. In its South Korean theatrical release, it was viewed by more than 13.6 million people in three weeks. The series also saw a sequel and spinoff, Kira Kira Happy Hirake! Cocotama, continuing the franchise's presence. Its legacy lies in its successful integration of toy sales and anime storytelling, contributing to the broader Bandai Namco media ecosystem.
Did You Know?
- The series uses a few elements from Shinto and Christian mythologies regarding the Cocotamas.
- The second ending theme was covered by BNK48 member Praewa Suthamphong for the Thai release of the anime.
- The film was released alongside a Tamagotchi! short film for the Tamagotchi franchise's 20th anniversary.
- The toy franchise topped sales numbers in Japan, with more than 1 million in total sales by December 2015.
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