【Seibu Shibuya Store Event & Announcement】'Mochinyan' Japanese Short Anime Series Finishes with All 120 Episodes!

The Japanese version of the short anime series 'Mochinyan,' featuring the popular character originally from Taiwan, has been available on d-Anime Store since June 27, 2016. This release coincides perfectly with the opening of the major event 'Summer! Beach! Mochinyan Festival' at Seibu Shibuya Store starting July 1, celebrating the completion of all 120 episodes. To commemorate this milestone, the event venue will feature special loop screenings and celebratory activities.

(※Summary of this article is provided at the end)

Image 01: 'Mochinyan' Main Visual

⬛️ The Creators’ Vision Behind the Anime Adaptation

The short anime 'Mochinyan' was born in 2020 amid the global spread of the novel coronavirus, driven by the desire to 'bring smiles to children staying at home.' Initially created by just two people—Federico Corpi (D-Visual Co., Ltd.), who served as screenwriter and director, and Bangkok-based animator Nalinrut Tantbirojn (Lin Tanpaiyroj / D-Visual Bangkok Co., Ltd.)—for YouTube release, the project gradually expanded its production team as it gained widespread attention.

In 2021, the series made a major shift from 5-minute YouTube animations to vertical-format shorts tailored for platforms like TikTok. At a rapid pace of one new episode every two days, it produced 100 episodes ranging from 11 to 40 seconds in length.

Since the post-pandemic period of 2024, production began anew on a total of 120 short anime episodes, rolling out first in Taiwan, followed by China and then Japan. In China, it garnered over 42 million views, sparking significant popularity.

⬛️ Original Anime Characters That Expanded the Mochinyan Universe

Image 02: Watatchan, the tragic heroine introduced in 2021. Made of cotton candy, she is extremely vulnerable to water and wind. Image 03: Namazu (Namaz), introduced just four days after Watatchan in the TikTok version. He is in love with Miniyan but lacks confidence in his appearance. Image 04: Shii-chan and Sa-kun, the cheerful couple who guide Mochinyan and friends during their Okinawan trip—the first original characters created for the anime. Image 05: Sa-kun, the clumsy one, contrasted with the responsible Shii-chan. Since his debut in 2020, Sa-kun has helped establish the 'shisa character' as a beloved anime staple.

The anime version of 'Mochinyan' has greatly expanded upon the simple worldview of the original, enriching each character’s personality and story. Starting in 2020, a series of original anime-only characters began appearing.

The first to appear in the YouTube version were the friendly Okinawan couple, Shii-chan and Sa-kun, who guide Mochinyan and friends through the island’s beautiful scenery and culture. However, Mochinyan’s innocent blunders constantly trigger major incidents, leaving the couple scrambling to clean up—making them a beloved comedic duo. Their bright and endearing presence has won over many fans, and they continue to reappear even after Mochinyan leaves Okinawa.

Next came Watatchan, the love interest of Mochiusa, introduced shortly after the launch of the TikTok version. Made entirely of cotton candy, she is threatened by everyday elements like water and wind. Mochiusa’s determined efforts to protect her have touched viewers’ hearts, creating one of the series’ most emotionally powerful storylines.

Then, just two episodes later, debuted Miaojun (Namazu). Originally conceived as a one-off comedic character satirizing dating app scams, his strong impact and popularity earned him a permanent spot in the cast.

Lacking confidence in his appearance, Namazu can only show his ideal self to the girl he loves, Miniyan. This bittersweet romance, full of longing yet deeply inspiring, has captured the attention of many fans.

Image 06: The protagonist of the final special episode is the puppy tapioca. Image 07: Tapioca tries hard to make her beloved mom happy, but everything she does ends in failure. After her mom gets a boyfriend, Tapioca is left home alone day after day. Image 08: Tapioca sets off on a journey in search of happiness. Will she ever find a new family?

⬛️ The Message Behind the Final Special Episode

An unforgettable supporting character is the beloved dog Tapioca, who first appeared in the second episode of the YouTube version in 2020. He is now the protagonist of Episode 120.

Though he may seem short-tempered and aggressive at first glance, the story confronts head-on the emotional wounds and self-doubt behind his anger.

The inspiration for this episode comes from real-life experiences of people who, through constant rejection in daily life, lose confidence and even their sense of self-worth.

In recent years, we’ve seen a growing number of people expressing harsh negativity or aggression on social media, in workplaces, and in everyday interactions. At the same time, there are many others silently suffering from such words.

This story is not about depicting 'anger'—but about the sadness and loneliness beneath it, and the importance of striving to understand others.

Interestingly, this episode was initially released as the finale of Season 1 on YouTube. However, due to an exclusive distribution agreement with another platform, it was removed from YouTube just days after release, making its public availability extremely brief.

The creators are deeply delighted that, as the grand finale of all 120 short anime episodes, this story can now be shared once again with a wider audience. Furthermore, plans are underway to eventually release a re-edited version of the previously unreleased Season 2 finale from YouTube.

Image 09: World-renowned jazz pianist Giovanni Mirabassi arranged and performed the original theme song written by director Corpi for the final special episode. Image 10: Mélanie Dahan is a talented contemporary female jazz singer based in Paris, also active as a vocal coach and voice actress. Known for her unique vocal style that blends 'chanson' and 'modern jazz,' she is highly praised for her direct emotional expression through lyrics.

⬛️ World-Class Artists Debut New Original Song

Another highlight of the final special episode is the debut of a newly composed song performed by world-renowned jazz pianist Giovanni Mirabassi and acclaimed French singer Mélanie Dahan, created specifically for this project.

This song perfectly embodies the artistic identity of 'Mochinyan,' a series celebrated not only for its visuals but also for its musical depth. The track is also scheduled for release on major music distribution platforms.

⬛️ The Two Voice Actors Who Have Sustained the Mochinyan World

Of course, in the final episode, the beloved characters are once again brought to life by voice actress Seiko Yoshida, who voices Mochinyan and many other characters, and Ryota Honda, who has participated in the series since its first episode not only as a voice actor but also as a voice director.

Having supported the series continuously since the start of anime production in 2020—nearly six years—they are more than just performers; they are key figures who have helped shape the very essence of the 'Mochinyan' universe. Their warm, gentle interplay and emotionally rich yet comedic performances have captivated countless fans and become a major driving force behind the series’ current popularity.

The 'Mochinyan' video series is set for new developments in the future, and great expectations remain for the continued contributions of both artists.

Image 11: Seiko Yoshida

Seiko Yoshida

Birthday: March 15 Hometown: Niigata Prefecture Dialect: None Hobbies & Skills: Singing, piano, sword dance, board games

Career 2006: Joined Mausu Promotion’s affiliated training school 2008: Joined Mausu Promotion

https://mausu.net/talent/yoshida-seiko.html

⬛️ Seiko Yoshida

Seiko Yoshida is a voice actress from Niigata Prefecture, affiliated with the talent agency Mausu Promotion. Since 2008, she has appeared in numerous anime and video game titles, voicing diverse characters such as Belphégor in 'Umineko When They Cry' and Zest in 'The Testament of Sister New Devil.' With her soft, clear voice and delicate emotional expression, she has portrayed Mochinyan and other characters with a gentle presence since the series’ inception. She is also actively involved in theater performances and will appear in the 16th Cinematic Reading Performance by Toraide, based on Etsuko Enomoto’s work 'Neighbor Fairy Tale Alert' in July. https://ticket.corich.jp/apply/469059/002/

Image 12: Ryota Honda

Ryota Honda

Birthday: January 20 Hometown: Kanagawa Prefecture Dialect: Hino-ben Hobbies & Skills: Gaming, horse racing, sewing, making warabi mochi, kyudo (2nd dan), karage enthusiast, licensed drug salesperson

Career 2013: Joined Doujinsha (now Al Share) 2017: Joined Mausu Promotion https://mausu.net/talent/honda-ryouta.html

⬛️ Ryota Honda

Ryota Honda is a voice actor with Mausu Promotion, active across anime, games, and dubbing. Since 2017, he has worked under his current stage name and publicly announced his marriage to Seiko Yoshida in 2021. In 'Mochinyan,' he not only voices a wide range of characters but also contributes to sound production and direction, playing a central role in shaping the series’ audio landscape. As both performer and production staff, he is truly one of the core figures who has helped build the world of 'Mochinyan.'

Distribution Information

Title: 'Mochinyan' Short Anime (All 120 Episodes)

Final Episode Release Date: June 27, 2026

Distribution: d-Anime Store (Japan-exclusive) Distribution Support: ABC Animation

'Mochinyan,' a series that has touched the hearts of children and adults alike,

invites you to laugh, cry, and feel just a little kinder—experience its final story.

※Article Summary The full 120-episode run of the 'Mochinyan' short anime is now streaming exclusively on d-Anime Store in Japan. The final special episode features a new original song composed by director Corpi and arranged and performed by world-renowned jazz pianist Giovanni Mirabassi and singer Mélanie Dahan. The voice cast for all 120 episodes includes Seiko Yoshida and Ryota Honda.