Chibi Maruko-chan

I get asked sometimes on how and why I can enjoy an older and long series about the everyday life of a Japanese 3rd grader growing up in the 70s. This show reminds me how intelligent and thoughtful children can be. How they can be creative, mean, difficult, and kind. As the series goes on, you get to observe Maruchan (the nickname her best friend calls her) in a wide variety of situations. While most episodes are lighthearted in nature, there are scenarios that even adults struggle with. What do you say when an acquaintance experiences loss, what do you do when you mess up ... and have to apologize, how do you find the right words to say goodbye? Each episode is honest with presenting life to a growing Maruchan in a comedic-fashion, but also in a heartfelt manner.

Additionally, there is this ongoing feeling of learning and discovery within each episode. Even as a ██-year-old, who is not a young child anymore, I found myself becoming emotional with Maruchan with every situation and experience she faces. There is an episode where Maruchan and her father are alone in the house as everyone else has gone out. Her father decides to take them both to the oden cart he frequents. While the two walk there, they walk with some distance apart. As they both converse with the cart owner and other patrons, she drinks her juice and he drinks his alcohol. Through this experience, she encounters a version of her father that is unfamiliar to her which makes her quite happy. The episode ends with Maruchan getting carried on her father's back while music softly plays and the night sky twinkles.

Don't get me wrong, there are absolute CRAZY episodes that I'm so fortunate to have lived to see (Maruchan getting stuck in the school bathroom, Maruchan getting appendicitis but nobody believing her, Maruchan continuously leaving her homework to the last minute, etc, etc.) Episodes like the one above make me reflect on how I view and live my own life. How, even as adults, WE don't stop learning and discovering ourselves and others. We just have more independence, meaning we have to go out of our way to care and explore. Small moments like the one between Maruchan and her father show how simply starting a new conversation with someone you’ve known forever can spark so many reflections and deepen the existing bond.

The narrator character is the most interesting as he often makes quite sassy commentary towards the characters' thoughts and actions that no one can hear except for us. While his main target is usually Maruchan, her friends and family are not spared from criticism. I've heard he isn't as harsh in the newer episodes which is too bad. I think he offers some realism to the daily nonsense the characters create for themselves. I often think of him when I do silly things and wonder what he would say.

I started watching this show in high school and continued to watch it throughout my schooling as subbed episodes would come out (which I'm so grateful for!!!!) Despite the long 142 episodes, I can recall my favourites quickly & happily. I'm thankful for the memories this show has given me and I will definitely be re-watching my favourite episodes whenever I need a smile or laugh (also perhaps making a tier list as a shortcut to the best of the best episodes.)

I recommend watching this weekly, and definitely not in one go. Maybe eat dinner while watching and reminisce over the fond days of your own childhood. Watching provides good opportunities to learn more about Japanese culture if you are interested in that as well.

Also, I just love that Maruchan is just so crazy LOLOLOL!! One notable episode is her obsessing over wanting a nosebleed.. I love this representation of girls who are unapologetically weird yet deeply kind. ❤️

So Chibi Maruko-chan was one of my first animes Ive ever watched so it will always have aplace in my heart.

The Anime doesnt really have a story to it so you could refer it to SpongeBob or something. With that I mean you could start at episode 50 and it will still be funny

As I said the story is not really there, the art is pretty old but I liked that. The sound is not perfect but I love the characters, especially the grandfather of Maruko-chan. He always wants to make Maruko happy and sometimes goes over the limits of a elderly! Enjoyment for me ... is 8/10.

Overall its a solid anime. Its very old but gold. I would recommend this to all anime OG's.

A great childhood anime and it is still popular in Japan. The story is simple yet heartwarming and funny. Almost all Japanese of all generations know this anime (and even has a museum created too).Who does not know Maruko and her unique family? WHo does not know the rich Hanawa? It provides a comical sketch of everyday life of Japanese people (back then). This anime also teaches us about Japanese culture indirectly. My favorite character? Hard to decide but probably ojiisan. Along with doraemon and sazae-san, this anime is truly anime of all generation.