Momoko Sakura is an elementary school student who likes popular idol Momoe Yamaguchi and mangas. She
is often called "Chibi Maruko-chan" due to her young age and small size. She lives together with her
parents, her grandparents and her elder sister in a little town. In school, she has many friends with
whom she studies and plays together everyday, including her close pal, Tama-chan; the student
committee members, Maruo-kun and Migiwa-san; and the B-class trio: 'little master' Hanawa-kun,
Hamaji-Bu Taro and Sekiguchi-kun. This is a fun-loving and enjoyable anime that portrays the simple
things in life.
(Source: Anime News Network)
Chibi Maruko-Chan is an anime series focusing on Maruko Sakura and her daily experiences. Usually she would want desire something or has a certain expectation which usually has an unexpected outcome sometimes for the better but often for the worse. There are a lot of things to relate too as things oneself believed and thought as a child is vastly different than how the world actually works and how adults think as some things Maruko did could be similar to one would have done or has done in the past. The show provides also great moral lessons, sometimes even neat trivia or tips for children such as how to prepare to a field trip. Each character seem like an archetype but are well written with many acting appropriate of their age. Maruko Sakura is often naive, selfish and forgetful but there are situations when she is mindful of others' when she notices the errors in her way and doesn't daydream. She is lazy to do stuff that she suppose to do like homework or helping out, but when it comes to fun stuff like preparing for something she looks forward to she is ready to do it. She is often victim of irony in the story like when she prepared for one thing, she ended up forgetting something far more important usually her homework. Sakiko Sakura is the elder sister and goes to 6st grade. She often gets into fights with Maruko but she is a caring sister often planing out things and taking responsibility. She is also the voice of reason for Maruko in many situations. Maruko's mom is the most strict member in Maruko's family but often shows that she really cares for her not doing anything with the intention of harming her. But because Maruko often forgets things like telling her parents about school related stuff to prepare, she can't do that much. Maruko's grandpa is doing anything to get closer and bettering their relationship, often leading him being manipulated by Maruko herself. Maruko's dad is somewhere in the middle between mother and grandpa. He often jokes around which depending on the situation can lead to a good moment where daughter and father fool around or Maruko getting upset. Classmates also serve a major role. Maruo is the weird class ref. Hanawa is a fellow pet caretaker who is from a rich family who tries to get a good relationship with the ladies except one. Tama-chan is Maruko's best friend and a very kind girl thinking very positively of Maruko. There are more and listing them all or going in depth would take way too long. And the kind teacher who is oblivious about his decisions can affect students in a certain situation. While it is nice seeing the characters in their element, the show often shows them outside their element where they are clueless, such examples being when the family go to a French restaurant or Hanawa going to hunt for pets they can take care in class. Even when Sakiko tries to cook a meal for her little sister. If you are interested in Japanese culture, struggles of Japanese children in the 60th and like a relatable series Chibi Maruko-Chan is the series for you. It is a simple story told in a funny often exaggerated way. It is episodic meaning it can be watched in any order. Rarely anything from the prior episodes will be relevant for what happens in the one after. A slice of life series with laughter, sadness and consequences... for Maruko-Chan that is.