Pui Pui Molcar Explained

Pui Pui Molcar
Ja Kanji:PUI PUI モルカー
Ja Romaji:Pui Pui Morukā
Type:TV series
Director:Tomoki Misato (season 1)
Hana Ono (season 2)
Producer:Ikumi Hayashi
Music:Shota Kowashi
Studio:Shin-Ei Animation
Japan Green Hearts (season 1)
UchuPeople (season 2)
Network:TXN (TV Tokyo, TV Osaka)
First:January 5, 2021
Last:December 24, 2022
Episodes:24
Type:film
Tobidase! Narase! Pui Pui Molcar
Director:Tomoki Misato
Music:Shota Kowashi
Studio:Shin-Ei Animation, Japan Green Hearts
Released:July 22, 2021
Type:film
Pui Pui Molcar The Movie MOLMAX
Director:Mankyū
Released:2024

is a Japanese stop-motion short anime series produced by Shin-Ei Animation[1] and Japan Green Hearts in cooperation with Bandai Namco Entertainment. The series is directed and written by, with Misato and the staff in Japan Green Hearts designing the characters and models and Shota Kowatsu composing the music. It aired in Japan on TV Tokyo through its Kinder TV children's variety program on January 5, 2021.[2] The series' title is a play on the words and car, which reflects the main characters. Upon its release, it was received positively by fans and critics due to its simple storyline in each episode.

A second season titled [3] [4] aired between October and December 2022.[5]

A 3DCG film is set to premiere in Japanese theaters in 2024.

Series setting

The series is aired as a two-minute-plus short animation segment on the children's variety program Kinder TV. Each short focuses on a world where people drive sentient vehicles that are hybrids between guinea pigs and motor vehicles. Though each episode's story varies, the core focus of the series focuses on the Molcars' antics and sometimes a bit of solving problems for their friends and their drivers. Episodes sometimes include parodies of famous movie genres for comedic effect.

Characters

There are five named Molcars in the series as profiled in the show's website:

A male beige Molcar with orange patches. He is shown to be laid back but also ready to help anyone in need, something that is proven by helping out an ambulance Molcar weave through a traffic jam. Shown to like carrots.
  • A male white Molcar with a cowardly personality who easily gets into trouble. He yearns for Teddy "like an older sister", but his bad luck always leads him to trouble, from being hijacked to becoming a Zombie Molcar. Shown to like lettuce.
  • An off-white male Molcar with a spiky top and beginner's marks on the sides. He has a fear of cats which he had overcome with help from his friends. He also is profiled to be serious, curious, and extremely proud.
  • A female chocolate brown Molcar with flowers on her ears/side mirrors. Although profiled to be as somewhat of a fashionista, she is also shown to be strong and fit.
  • A female dark brown Molcar who is known to eat anything, including garbage. Profiled as a tomboy, she has also showed a fearless personality, being able to face the zombie horde with weapons in and teaming up with Choco on a rescue mission.
  • The second season, Pui Pui Molcar Driving School, adds newer lead characters:

    A white Molcar with red patches who is profiled as one who cares about fashion. Her actions with Abbey causes her and the others to be sent back to driving school. Previously a minor character in the first season.
  • A light gray rookie Molcar currently enrolled at driving school.
  • ,, and
  • Molcars working for the driving school.

    Aside from the named Molcars mentioned above, there are also several other unnamed Molcars distinguished by their colors as well as main uses, with some Molcars functioning as ambulances, police patrol cars, and food stands. These unnamed Molcars are being retroactively given names and monikers through a series of Twitter posts as part of a countdown to the compilation movie's release. The show also depicts human and non-human characters, mostly depicted as faceless figurines, although in several episodes, interior shots are shown as limited live-action scenes where drivers and passengers are played by actors; the first episode alone sees portrayals by director Tomoki Misato and older sister Mizuho, herself an actress. The 10th episode introduces the fictional magical girl anime .

    Development

    Tomoki Misato is a stop motion animator and director born in Tokyo, Japan and graduated from Musashino Art University in 2016. Though he made short films, he became famous in the animation industry when he directed the award-winning short My Little Goat in 2018, which he produced over a ten-year period. It was praised by critics for both its animation and story.[6]

    As an upcoming director, he began working with Pui Pui Molcar after being approached by Noboru Sugiyama, the executive producer at Shin-Ei Animation in an offer with Bandai Namco Entertainment to produce a short animation series that would air as one of the segments in Kinder TV.[7] His original plan was to create a 30-minute short film but decided to create an omnibus short series instead.[8] According to Misato himself, the series' quirky design and animation as well as its premise came from an idea back in 2019. He recalled that "if the car were a cute guinea pig, will the frustrating events that occur while driving be solved?" He also added, "To act on a society that is easily swept away by people, I also want to convey the fun and importance of it." Almost all of the episodes of the series was directed and written by Misato himself, though he was assisted by an animation crew composed of four people at Japan Green Hearts alongside Hana Ono and many others. He did point out that "[he] was worried about how would the story turn out in each episode in a fixed length of 2 minutes and 40 seconds". Sugiyama also said "Unlike live-action films, there are no coincidences in the world of Pui Pui Molcar. When Director Misato creates a set, everything is arranged in a particular way for a purpose."

    The series took a year and a half to produce. Majority of the characters in the series were made using cotton and wool, with some of the effects done using both cotton yarn and some flashlights.[9] In addition, pixilation and time-lapse photography were also used in the series to include live-action actors inside the Molcars in some episodes, as well as recordings of real guinea pig squeaks for the Molcars' voices.[10] The series also incorporates elements of traditional 2D animation in the form of snippets.

    Media

    Anime

    Pui Pui Molcar aired in TV Tokyo as one of the segments in the Children's Variety Program Kinder TV on January 5, 2021. Each two-minute episode is aired at 7:30 AM. A second season aired on TV Tokyo from October 8 to December 24, 2022, with Hana Ono directing the series and UchuPeople taking over as main animation studio from Japan Green Hearts.[11] [12] Bandai Namco Entertainment streams the show officially in YouTube for free. Muse Communication licensed the series outside Japan to be aired also in YouTube in South and Southeast Asian territories.[13] Netflix is streaming the series in North America and other select territories excluding some parts of Asia starting March 25, 2021.[14] [15]

    Bandai Namco Arts, under the Bandai Visual label, released the first season of the series in both DVD and Blu-ray box sets on July 28, 2021.[16]

    Season 2 (2022)

    Film

    A Season 1 compilation film titled was released in theaters on July 22, 2021.[17] [18] The compilation movie was dedicated to Koji Tsujitani (1962-2018) in the end credits.

    A 3DCG film titled was announced on January 23, 2024. The film is directed by Mankyū, with Tomoki Misato credited with chief supervision, and Yuuko Kakihara writing the script. The film is set to premiere the same year.[19] On August 5, 2024, it was revealed that the movie's release would be on November 29, 2024, and that it would include voice acting from Arashi's Masaki Aiba, and Akio Otsuka, who will play human characters in the Molcar's world.[20] [21]

    Merchandise

    Several merchandise tied to the series were released, with Eikoh announced the characters of the series will be released as part of the Mochikororin Plush Mascot line of mini plush toys on February 5, 2021.[22] Good Smile Company released a Nendoroid figure of Potato first announced on Wonder Hobby 33[23] in April 2022, that has compatibility with certain recently released Nendoroid figures. The show has also announced a collaboration with Bandai Namco Filmworks to promote the release of , accompanied with an artwork by JNTHED.[24]

    A virtual pet collaboration with Bandai's Tamagotchi, the "Pui Pui Molcartchi", was released in October 2021.[25]

    Video game

    A party game titled Pui Pui Molcar: Let's Molcar Party was released by Bandai Namco Entertainment in December 2021 for the Nintendo Switch.[26]

    Reception

    Upon the series' release, it was received positively by both fans and critics in Japan. Naoki Ogi, an educational critic, stated, "Reading the story from music, movements, and facial expressions in an anime without dialogue stimulates the imagination of children. The message is not explained in words, but is good from an educational point of view." She also added, "The current COVID-19 pandemic may actually influence the series' rise in its popularity."[27] Hakusai Kobayashi of Famitsu also praised the show for its animation and simple storyline saying "It has a high degree of perfection as an animation work. I'm guessing that's the reason the show has become popular." Kodansha's Japanese automotive magazine Best Car has featured the series in a three-page article.[28]

    Reception outside Japan is just as positive. Kara Dennison of Otaku USA magazine stated, "Pui Pui Molcar doesn’t involve any dialogue (at least so far): just squeaks. And what makes it accessible for little kids also makes it accessible for international viewers."[29] Leandre Grecia of Top Gear Philippines found Pui Pui Molcar enjoyable even for older viewers, saying it is "a feel-good no-dialogue series containing sub-three-minute episodes, and we dare say the entire show has a decent mix of comedy, drama, and action." Grecia also added that the show teaches children "some subtle lessons on social responsibility, which can help give kids an idea or two on how to act properly toward other people and animals, and the environment."[30]

    Alicia Haddick of Otaquest mentioned that among the reasons for the series' popularity in and out of Japan are the simplistic design and inviting setting along with the Molcar concept, commenting that "Turning [cars] into the equivalent of pets and having them act as such is also an ingenious move that only endears them to the audience." Haddick added that the simple designs have caused the show to spawn fan art easily shared in social media and provide "a blank slate to personalize with self-made designs that fit into the basic idea of a Molcar. ... All the while, as plentiful YouTube videos show, it’s easy to make a Molcar of your own."[31]

    The series also became a trending topic in Twitter in the month of January prior to its first airing.[32] Japanese media review company Filmarks ranked the series first place of the most popular anime in the 2021 winter anime season, beating other popular series like SK8 the Infinity, Non Non Biyori Nonstop and World Trigger.[33]

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Shin-Ei Animation Announces Stop-Motion Puppet TV Series About Guinea Pig Cars. Anime News Network. December 1, 2020. February 16, 2021.
    2. Web site: 話題の超絶癒し系アニメ『PUI PUIモルカー』1話をWebで見る方法は?. Dengeki Hobby. January 12, 2021. February 16, 2021. ja.
    3. Web site: 『PUI PUI モルカー』新シリーズ 放送決定記念 PV 【2022年秋放送】 . . 30 May 2022 . 2022-05-31 . en.
    4. 1531470529709764610 . molcar_anime . お知らせ / PUI PUI モルカー 新シリーズ ✨2022年秋 放送決定!✨ \ 今度の PUI PUI #モルカー は… プイプイ!ワクワク!大暴走?! youtu.be/RcouHCSRjA4 molcar-anime.com.
    5. Web site: Pui Pui モルカー:新シリーズ「Driving School」10月スタート 舞台はドライビングスクール 4台の新モルカー 教習モルカーも! . 14 July 2022 .
    6. Web site: 「PUI PUI モルカー」見里朝希の監督作「マイリトルゴート」本日から無料配信. Natalie. February 4, 2021. February 16, 2021. ja.
    7. Web site: 毒のあるユーモアと癒やし「モルカー」超人気 ストップモーションアニメ復権. 18 March 2021.
    8. Web site: Pui Pui Molcar Drives Home Stop-motion Anime with Fuzzy Characters and Black Humor | JAPAN Forward. 6 April 2021.
    9. Web site: Pui Pui モルカー【公式】.
    10. Web site: 『PUI PUI モルカー』ってなに!? Twitterで話題沸騰のパペットアニメ。いまなら最新話に追いつける!. Famitsu. February 4, 2021. February 16, 2021. ja.
    11. Web site: Pui Pui Molcar Anime's New Series Unveils Video, New Characters, Staff, Title, October Debut. Anime News Network. July 14, 2022. July 14, 2022.
    12. Web site: ja:『PUI PUI モルカー DRIVING SCHOOL』2022年10月8日(土)あさ7時よりテレビ東京「イニミニマニモ」内にて放送スタート!. https://molcar-anime.com/news/#n978. molcar-anime.com. September 18, 2022.
    13. Web site: Muse Asia Announces Winter 2021 Simulcast Schedule. Anime News Network. January 5, 2021. February 16, 2021.
    14. Web site: 「PUI PUI モルカー」に「ガルパン 劇場版/最終章」も。Netflix 3月配信. 26 February 2021.
    15. Web site: What's Coming to Netflix in March 2021. What's on Netflix. March 3, 2021.
    16. Web site: ストップモーションアニメ『PUI PUI モルカー』Blu-ray&DVDが7月28日発売 - TOWER RECORDS ONLINE.
    17. Web site: 「Pui Pui モルカー」を3D・Mx4Dで一挙上映、特典は音が鳴るモルカーボール(コメントあり).
    18. Web site: Pui Pui Molcar Series Gets MX4D Compilation Film on July 22. 26 September 2023 .
    19. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Pui Pui Molcar Franchise Gets All-New 3D CG Anime Film This Year. Anime News Network. January 23, 2024. January 23, 2024.
    20. Web site: 5 August 2024 . 相葉雅紀 アニメ映画で初声優 11・29公開「PUI PUI モルカー ザ・ムービー MOLMAX」 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240805023211/https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2024/08/05/kiji/20240804s00041000447000c.html . 5 August 2024 . 5 August 2024 . Sponichi . Japanese.
    21. Web site: 5 August 2024 . 『MOLMAX』11月29日公開決定!&ゲスト声優に相葉雅紀さん大塚明夫さん決定!! . https://web.archive.org/web/20240805211026/https://molcar-anime.com/news/ . 5 August 2024 . 5 August 2024 . Molcar anime official site . Japanese.
    22. molcar_anime. 1356799571930865664.
      1. モルカー商品情報 もちころりん ぬいぐるみマスコット Vol.1
      . February 2, 2021. February 16, 2021. ja.
    23. Web site: Good Smile Unveils New Nendoroids and Scale Figures at WonHobby 33. 26 September 2023 .
    24. Web site: 『機動戦士ガンダム 水星の魔女』×『Pui Pui モルカー Driving School』コラボビジュアル公開! | Gundam.info .
    25. molcar_anime. 1405329371104124928. PUI PUI モルカー×たまごっ. Jun 16, 2021. June 23, 2021. ja.
    26. Web site: 2021-11-01 . PUI PUI MOLCAR Let's! MOLCAR PARTY! Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia Official Site . 2022-10-09 . Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia . en-US.
    27. Web site: 『PUI PUI モルカー』を尾木ママが分析 大人にも子供にも大人気の理由. Smart Flash. February 2, 2021. February 21, 2021. ja.
    28. Web site: 自動車雑誌に「Pui Pui モルカー」特集 いったいなぜ?編集部に狙いを聞いた. 26 February 2021.
    29. Web site: Dennison. Kara. Pui Pui Molcar Is the Guinea Pig Car Anime You Didn't Know You Need. Otaku USA. January 21, 2021. February 16, 2021.
    30. Web site: Grecia . Leandre . 2021-03-24 . Japan has a series featuring half-car, half-guinea pig 'Molcars' and it's fantastic . 2021-03-25 . Top Gear Philippines . en.
    31. Web site: Haddick. Alicia. 2021-01-22. You Probably Haven't Heard of Molcar, Winter 2021's Most Popular Anime. 2021-03-25. OTAQUEST. en-US.
    32. Web site: モルカーたちのかわいいカーチェイスも必見! 「PUI PUIモルカー」第2話が期間限定で見逃し配信開始 Twitterなどで話題の「モルカー」、待望の第2話!. 12 January 2021.
    33. Web site: The Fans Have Spoken: Pui Pui Molcar Is the Best Anime of Winter 2021. Crunchyroll. February 16, 2021. February 21, 2021.