is a 1993 Japanese children's slice of life anime series primarily aimed at preschoolers and animated by Pierrot Plus based on the Kodomo Challenge Educational Learning Program created by Benesse in 1988. It is created and directed by veteran director Hisayuki Toriumi (Science Ninja Team Gatchaman) and character designs by Shigehito Tsuji. The first Shimajiro series aired at TV Setouchi and all other TXN networks in Japan from December 13, 1993, to March 31, 2008. The second aired from April 7, 2008 to March 29, 2010. The third aired from April 5, 2010 to March 26, 2010, and the fourth and current one began airing on April 2, 2012.
Overview
Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō was officially created after Benesse and TV Setouchi both decided to adapt the Learning Program series into a full-fledged series for television, with part of the staff being former Tatsunoko Production director Hisayuki Toriumi and music composer Shin'ya Naitō. It was officially animated by Studio Pierrot's sister company, Pierrot Plus and premiered on December 13, 1993. The series ended after it aired its final episode on March 31, 2008, as the second series aired, alongside the children's variety series . All of the later episodes of the series were aired in the variety series in the later years which also includes live action segments.
Theme and elements
The overall theme surrounding the series all revolves in Shimajirō's life as a preschooler and all the lessons he needs to learn in a daily basis such as making friends, saying sorry, making a resolve and others that reflects to the preschool demographic. Also educational elements such as planting flowers, how to use the toilet for the first time, helping others and learning in kindergarten is also applied.
The anime's overall elements are all based on the Kodomo Challenge franchise, with the storyline being completely original from the source material.
Setting
The anime is officially set in the fictional located somewhere in the world. The island, inhabited by anthropomorphic animals, is suburban and very self-sufficient in resources. Various animal characters in the island vary as well as their culture such as the Mole People who live under the island or the Squirrel people who always hibernate during winter. Various means of transport as well as subways exist in the island. Aside from the animal characters, some characters such as Witches and Fairies exist in the island.
Plot
The entire series focuses on Shimajiro Shimano, a curious tiger boy living in Challenge Island. Being the first child in the family, he attends Kindergarten alongside his friends as they all discover everything around them, and learn valuable lessons as they grow up.
Characters
Main Characters
Shimajiro is a yellow tiger, and is the main protagonist of Shima Shima Tora no Shimajiro. He is a bright little boy who likes playing soccer and wants to become a soccer player and an entomologist when he grows up. Shimajiro also likes donuts, dinosaurs, and insects. He is scared of thunder and ghost stories, and does not like green peppers. He is very supportive to his friends and to his younger sister Hana, but can sometimes be a bit stubborn. He can be mischievous and selfish, but he learns his lesson and is always there when his friends and his little sister, Hana, need him.
/ Mimi-Lynne
Mimirin is a white rabbit with black ear tips. She originally debuted the Kodomo Challenge franchise in 1991. She originally wore a flower near her left ear, she later switched to a ribbon. Her family owns a flower shop. Mimirin loves strawberry shortcake, flowers, dolls, and other girly things. as well as running. However she is scared of snakes and insects, and she does not like carrots. Usually she also has an overbite and her tail appears out of her skirt. She can be nice but spoiled, selfish and clumsy and has a habit on crying if someone doesn't favor her opinion sometimes. Mimirin is also a good aspiring singer as well. Other jobs she wants is to be a nurse and a florist when she grows up. Mimirin is one of two characters in the series (the other being Ramurin) to not have an older sibling, but after Ramurin left Challenge Island in the series finale of Hesoka and retired the Kodomo Challenge franchise in 2012, she became the only one.