Teaser for Netflix's Japanese Stop-Motion Animation Series MY MELODY & KUROMI

Netflix has announced they’ve ordered a Japanese stop-motion animation series titled My Melody & Kuromi, which is based on Sanrio characters, and they’ve released a first look teaser.

The series will center on “My Melody, a straightforward, cheerful girl who bakes cookies with her mother and cares deeply for her younger brother.”

The project is directed by Tomoki Misato (Pui Pui Molcar) with Shuko Nemoto as the writer. My Melody & Kuromi comes from Toruku, which is part of WIT Studio. For Toruku, it marks a first stop-motion animation.

Misato said: “I’m thrilled that this project is finally announced in this important year marking the 50th anniversary of My Melody and the 20th anniversary of Kuromi.

“This momentous project motivated all of us to come together, take on various challenges, and push the envelope with stop-motion.

“I hope everyone will enjoy this exciting story set in our handcrafted Mariland, the thrilling action that pushes the limits of stop-motion, and, of course, the cute and dynamic characters.”

Nemoto, who wrote the series during the Covid-19 pandemic, said: “Having My Melody and Kuromi speak lines I wrote felt like a reward for me as a writer.

“Because of the pandemic, I couldn’t meet with director Misato or the producers in person, but we connected remotely each week, carefully building this together.

“The project is filled with love for the world of My Melody, beloved by people of all ages. I believe everyone, from adults to children, will have favorite scenes and lines.”

My Melody debuted in Japan in 1975, while Kuromi was added in 2005 as a trouble-making rival to My Melody who is actually softer than she appears. Since her debut, she has been a top-three ranked Sanrio character.