Sakura Momoko (Maruko)
A lazy and cheeky third-grade elementary school girl
A third-grade elementary school girl living in Shimizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture in the 1970s, and the protagonist of this work. Laid-back and optimistic, but lazy and clumsy.
Quotes
- Uuun~
- Ikezuu~
- Maru-chan is having a sibling quarrel
- I feel like I might be an alien
- I'll do my best even when spacing out!
Trivia
- The protagonist is a projection of the author's own elementary school days
- Maruko's personality is self-paced and lazy but basically kind
- Set in Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka City from 1974 to 1975 in the 1970s
- Original author Sakura Momoko also handled early anime scripts
- The anime version has continued for over 30 years since its start as a national long-running work
- Anime broadcasting continues even after the original author's death in 2018
Alternate names
Maruko
Maru-chan
Chibi Maru
Momoko (early nickname)
Profile
- Species
- Human
- Gender
- Female
- Birthday
- May 8
- Birth year
- 1965
Appearance
- Overall appearance
- Bobbed haircut typical of an elementary school student. Simple appearance that feels somewhat familiar, characteristically deformed in manga and anime. Often wears sailor uniforms or casual clothing.
- Eye color
- Brown
- Hair color
- Black
- Distinguishing features
-
- Bobbed haircut
- Round face
- Round eyes
- Iconic items
-
- Red ribbon (occasionally worn in anime)
- Yellow hat (school hat)
- School bag
Personality and abilities
- Core personality
- Optimistic
- Detailed personality
- Laid-back and self-paced, lazy and cheeky. Often clumsy, frequently spacing out in class. Hates studying and is a troublemaker, but kind-hearted with a sense of justice.
- Keywords
-
- Optimistic
- Lazy
- Laid-back
- Cheeky
- Self-paced
- Hates studying
- Troublemaker
- Kind
- Sense of justice
- Talents
-
- Natural affinity
- Rich imagination
- Ability to cherish family and friends
- Skills
-
- Building friendships
- Can get along with anyone
- High adaptability
- Motivation
- To live happily and peacefully with family and friends. To spend days at her own pace.
- Habits
- Catchphrases change per episode, but unique phrases like "Uuun~" and "Ikezuu~" are memorable.
- Favorite foods
- Snacks, Onigiri, Karaage, Mikan, Cake
- Hobbies
- Playing with friends, School life, Pretend play, Chatting
- Favorite places
- Irie Elementary School, Home, Mitsuya (candy store)
- Disliked situations
- Studying, Cleaning, Being scolded, Being yelled at
History
- Backstory
- A third-grade elementary school girl raised in the Irie district of Shimizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. A projection of author Sakura Momoko's childhood. Depicts daily life with family and friends set around 1974-1975 in the 1970s.
- Debut date
- 1986-08
- Work title
- Chibi Maruko-chan (manga)
- Media type
- Manga
TV Anime Adaptation
- Significant event
- TV Anime Adaptation
- Description
- Broadcasting started on January 7, 1990, on the Fuji TV network. It has become a long-running anime for over 30 years and gained national popularity.
Serialization Hiatus and Resumption
- Significant event
- Serialization Hiatus and Resumption
- Description
- Ended regular serialization in Ribon in 1996, shifting to irregular serialization and anime-focused activities afterward.
Death of Original Author
- Significant event
- Death of Original Author
- Description
- Original author Sakura Momoko passed away on August 27, 2018. Anime broadcasting continues.
Voice Actor Change
- Significant event
- Voice Actor Change
- Description
- In March 2024, TARAKO, who voiced protagonist Maruko, passed away, and from April 2024, Kokoro Kikuchi becomes the new Maruko voice.
Stage Adaptation
- Significant event
- Stage Adaptation
- Description
- In 2022, as a 35th anniversary project of the original work, the stage play "High School Days" featuring Maruko's male classmates as protagonists was performed.
Relationships
Sakura Hiroshi
Father
Maruko's father. Laid-back personality but deeply affectionate.
Sakura Sumire
Mother
Maruko's mother. Homely and dependable.
Sakura Sakiko
Sibling
Maruko's older sister. A bit mean at times but caring toward her little sister.
Sakura Tomozo
Grandparent
Maruko's grandfather. Kind personality and dotes on his granddaughter.
Sakura Kotake
Grandparent
Maruko's grandmother. Gentle and kind.
Honami Tamae
Best friend
Best friend modeled after the author's real-life close friend, calm and kind, Maruko's understanding ally.
Hanawa Kazuhiko
Classmate
Rich young master and popular figure in the class.
Nagasawa Kimio
Classmate
Class committee member and serious. Awkward relationship with Maruko.
Fujiki Shigeru
Classmate
The class's melancholic boy, sometimes clashes with Maruko.
Irie Elementary School Class 3-4
Irie Elementary School Class 3-4: unknown
Media appearances
Chibi Maruko-chan
Manga / Protagonist
1986 - 2016 (including irregular serialization)
Chibi Maruko-chan
Anime / Protagonist
January 7, 1990 - present (Season 1 and 2 ongoing)
Chibi Maruko-chan My Favorite Song
Movie / Protagonist
Released December 19, 1992
Chibi Maruko-chan The Boy from Italy
Movie / Protagonist
Released December 23, 2015
Maru Maru Chibi Maruko-chan
TV drama / Protagonist
2007 - 2008
Special Drama Chibi Maruko-chan
TV drama / Protagonist
2006 and 2013
Taiwan Drama Cherry Little Maruko
TV drama / Protagonist
March 13 - April 21, 2017
Chibi Maruko-chan THE STAGE High School Days
Stage play / Protagonist
Performed December 15 - 25, 2022
Voice cast and creators
TARAKO
- Voice actor
- TARAKO
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- TV Anime Season 1 and 2 (1990 - March 2024)
- Notes
- firstGen / longTerm
Kikuchi Kokoro
- Voice actor
- Kikuchi Kokoro
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- TV Anime Season 2 (April 2024 - present)
- Notes
- current
Watanabe Naoko
- Voice actor
- Watanabe Naoko
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- TV Anime (Honami Tamae role)
- Notes
- longTerm
Kikuchi Masami
- Voice actor
- Kikuchi Masami
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- TV Anime (Hanawa Kazuhiko role)
Hideta Nobuo
- Voice actor
- Hideta Nobuo
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- TV Anime (Maruo Sueo role)
Oriksa Ai
- Voice actor
- Oriksa Ai
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- TV Anime (Hamasaki Noritaka role)
Chafurin
- Voice actor
- Chafurin
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- TV Anime (Nagasawa Kimio role)
Sasaki Yuko
- Voice actor
- Sasaki Yuko
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- TV Anime (Sakura Sumire role, first generation)
Toyoshima Machiko
- Voice actor
- Toyoshima Machiko
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- TV Anime (Sakura Sakiko role, later periods)
Keaton Yamada
- Voice actor
- Keaton Yamada
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- TV Anime narration
- Notes
- firstGen
Kimura Kyoya
- Voice actor
- Kimura Kyoya
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- TV Anime narration (2021 - March 2024)
Sakura Momoko
- Creator name
- Sakura Momoko
- Role
- Original author
Shigekuni Yuji
- Creator name
- Shigekuni Yuji
- Role
- Character designer
Kochi Hioto
- Creator name
- Kochi Hioto
- Role
- Character designer
Funakoshi Hideyuki
- Creator name
- Funakoshi Hideyuki
- Role
- Character designer
Nippon Animation
- Creator name
- Nippon Animation
- Role
- Animation studio
Shueisha
- Creator name
- Shueisha
- Role
- Publisher
Fuji Television
- Creator name
- Fuji Television
- Role
- Licensee
Related goods
Chibi Maruko-chan Wrapped Train (Shizuoka Railway)
- Item name
- Chibi Maruko-chan Wrapped Train (Shizuoka Railway)
- Category
- unknown
- Availability
- Regular
Anime DVD Box Set
- Item name
- Anime DVD Box Set
- Category
- Digital
- Availability
- Regular
Ribon Mascot Comics Chibi Maruko-chan Tankobon
- Item name
- Ribon Mascot Comics Chibi Maruko-chan Tankobon
- Category
- Stationery
- Availability
- Regular
Various Chibi Maruko-chan Character Goods
- Item name
- Various Chibi Maruko-chan Character Goods
- Category
- Accessory
- Availability
- Regular