Bonobono Manga and Anime Mark 40th Anniversary with Free 500-Episode Stream

A new anniversary website launched, and all 500 episodes of the anime will be available for free on YouTube.

The official anniversary site, 'Bonobono to 40-nen no Koto' (Bonobono and 40 Years), features two detailed timelines. One chronicles the manga's 40-year history with original art from creator Igaraishi Mikio. The other is a board game-style timeline covering the anime's decade. The site also hosts congratulatory messages from over 100 people involved with the franchise, including cast, staff, artists, and editors.

To mark the anime's 10th anniversary, a free streaming marathon of all 500 episodes begins on May 17. The episodes will be released on the official Bonobono YouTube channel at a rate of ten episodes per week for 50 weeks. The series will also be available for a limited time on Japanese platforms FOD and TVer.

A new manga volume, 'Bonobono (50)', is scheduled for release on July 16. The 50th volume centers on a game called 'Kassaa' invented by the character Araiguma-kun.

The anniversary also includes a six-hour TV special airing on the Animax channel in Japan on May 17. The special will feature selected episodes and behind-the-scenes segments, including a visit to the 'Bonobono-kan' museum in the creator's hometown and a look at a special exhibition held in Seoul, South Korea.

A collaboration cafe, 'Bonobono Pokapoka Cafe in E-DINER', will run in Tokyo from May 20 to 31. The event features original food and drink items and new merchandise.

The anniversary website is available at eiken-anime.jp/bono40-10.

Source: PR Times via 株式会社ADKエモーションズ