Beloved 'Konna Ko Iru Kana' Anime from 'Okaasan to Issho' Returns After 4 Decades, Igniting Nostalgia!

The beloved anime "Konna Ko Iru Kana" (Do Such Children Exist?), once a sensation within NHK E-tele's long-running children's program "Okaasan to Issho" (With Mother), is set to make a comeback after approximately 40 years. Its return, announced for Monday, March 30, 2026, has ignited a massive buzz across social media.

Originally broadcast for five years starting in 1986, the series captivated the hearts of children of that era with its message of "Everyone is different, and everyone is good," conveyed through its 12 uniquely individual characters.

News of the revival has led to an outpouring of joy and emotion on X (formerly Twitter), with comments such as "Too nostalgic!" "Perfectly my generation!" and "So incredibly happy!" Many users shared cherished childhood memories, with numerous posts detailing specific anecdotes like "I owned all the picture books," "I played with the finger puppets," and "The theme song immediately came back to me." Some ardent fans even revealed they used the show's music as their exit BGM at their wedding receptions.

Another indispensable fact when discussing "Konna Ko Iru Kana" is the astonishing revelation that veteran voice actor Tetsusho Genda solo-voiced all 12 characters. Comments like "I was surprised when I learned this as an adult" and "It was the origin of my otaku journey" have reaffirmed his unparalleled presence.

The 12 characters, each with distinct traits such as Pokke the forgetful, Mogumogu the glutton, and Happy the always-kind, embody a message of embracing diversity. This acceptance is now being recognized as a profound message relevant to contemporary society, with some commenting, "40 years ago, we could accept various kinds of children even without explicitly speaking of diversity."

Many users also recall other popular programs from the same period, such as "Niko Niko Pun" and "Obake no Holly," suggesting that this revival will introduce the anime's charm to a new generation, solidifying its status as content loved by two generations of parents and children. With many adults expressing anticipation, saying, "I don't have kids, but I want to watch it alone" and "I'm looking forward to the anime," all eyes are on what kind of emotional impact "Konna Ko Iru Kana," resurrected in the Reiwa era, will create.

The context

NHK E-tele is the educational programming channel of NHK, Japan's national public broadcasting organization. "Okaasan to Issho" (With Mother) is one of its longest-running and most iconic children's programs, having aired since 1959. It's a foundational part of childhood for generations of Japanese people, known for its songs, stories, and puppet segments. "Konna Ko Iru Kana" (literally "Do Such Children Exist?") was a popular animated segment within this show, originally broadcast from 1986 to 1991. Its core message, "Minna Chigatte, Minna Ii" (Everyone is different, and everyone is good), promoted acceptance and understanding of diverse personalities among children. Tetsusho Genda is a highly respected and prolific Japanese voice actor, known for numerous iconic roles in anime and video games, making his solo performance of all 12 characters a remarkable feat. The "Reiwa era" refers to the current imperial era of Japan, which began in 2019, indicating the show's return to a modern audience. Other shows mentioned, like "Niko Niko Pun" and "Obake no Holly," were popular children's programs aired during the same period as "Konna Ko Iru Kana," contributing to the wave of nostalgia among adults.