The charm and unexpectedness of Cheburashka: A surprising world

Cheburashka Huh? - The Adventures of a Loveable and Mysterious Animal

Overview

"Cheburashka Huh?" is a TV anime series that aired on TV Tokyo from October 7, 2009 to March 31, 2011. It is based on Eduard Uspensky's picture book "Gena the Crocodile" and animation was done by GoHands. It has 26 episodes, each seven minutes long, but with a dense story, and was loved by a wide range of people from children to adults.

■ Story

A mysterious animal was found in an orange box delivered to Gena the crocodile. With big ears, cute eyes, and fluffy brown fur, this animal looks like a monkey or a bear, but there's something different about it. Whenever it gets out of the box, it keeps falling over, so it's named "Cheburashka" (Russian for "the guy who falls over"). Cheburashka and Gena become best friends and spend every day making new discoveries.

■Explanation

Cheburashka is a national character known to everyone in Russia, from children to adults. He is a mysterious animal whose name means "a man who falls down suddenly." He looks like a bear, a dog, a monkey... but somehow he is different. With his big ears and cute eyes, he spends his days full of adventures with his new friends. This animation brings out the best in Cheburashka, bringing smiles and excitement to viewers.

■Cast

• Cheburashka: Nozomi Ohashi
• Gena: Dai Tsuchida
• Shapaklyak: Cho
• Levchandor: Matsumoto Dai
• Galya: Sayuri Yahagi
• Larryska: Zhenya
• Delivery Person: Goichi Furumiya
• Children: Ryoko Shimizu

■ Main staff

• Original story: Eduardo Uspensky (Gena the Crocodile)
• Director: Susumu Kudo
• Series Composition: Mitsuru Shimada
• Animation character design: Takahiro Kishida
• Color setting, photography: Shigenobu Kaiho
• Edited by: Fumi Hida
• Supervisor: Makoto Nakamura
• Animation: GoHands
• Sound Director: Hideo Takahashi
• Music: Koji Uriida
• Ending theme: Tamaru Tomoya

■ Main Characters

• Cheburashka : A mysterious, unidentified animal found in an orange box. When Gena the crocodile discovered him, he kept falling over no matter how many times he tried to wake him up, so he was given the name "Cheburashka (the one who falls over)". This mysterious animal, named Cheburashka, is curious and works harder than most people. With a kind and considerate personality, he becomes a beloved figure in the town. Cheburashka means "the one who falls over" in Russian.
• Gena : The crocodile who found Cheburashka and became his first friend. He is already over 50 years old, but considering the lifespan of crocodiles, he still seems young. His job is to work as a crocodile at the zoo. He loves to sing, and charms everyone with his garmoshka (Russian accordion). He is a kind, meticulous, and polite gentleman. He has a strong sense of justice, but is also a bit of a softie.
• Shapaklyak : A mischievous old woman who loves to play pranks. She wants to become famous by causing trouble for others. She appears here and there with her tame mouse, Lariska, and causes mischief. For some reason, she is very interested in Cheburashka and Gena and keeps teasing them. She is bold and quick, but also has a shy side.

■Subtitle

• #1: My First Friend (2009/10/07)
• #2: Who am I? (2009/10/14)
• #3: Mischievous Shapaklyak (2009/10/21)
• #4: Lev Chandor's Hiccup (10/28/2009)
• #5: The Secret of the Stars (2009/11/04)
• #6: Cheburashka's Shopping (2009/11/11)
• #7: I love donuts! (2009/11/18)
• #8: Cheburashka and the Storybook (2009/11/25)
• #9: Galia's Lost Property (2009/12/02)
• #10: Hello Cheburashka (2009/12/09)
• #11: Gena can't sleep (2009/12/16)
• #12: Shapaklyak fortune telling (2009/12/23)
• #13: The day I watched the clouds (2010/01/06)
• #14: Let's play riddles! (2010/01/13)
• #15: Gena's Diary (2010/01/20)
• #16: Are books fun? (2010/01/27)
• #17: Is it ready yet? Gena (2010/02/03)
• #18: What will I catch? (2010/02/10)
• #19: I love Cheburashka! (2010/02/17)
• #20: Where's my wallet? (2010/02/24)
• #21: A Day Without Cheburashka (2010/03/03)
• #22: Magical Scarf (2010/03/10)
• #23: Friends Newspaper (2010/03/17)
• #24: Lev Chandor's Tooth Decay (2010/03/24)
• #25: Cheburashka's Birthday (2010/03/31)
• #26: Goodbye Cheburashka (2010/03/31)

■ Related works

• Cheburashka

■Detailed evaluation

"Cheburashka Huh?" is a work that deeply touches viewers with its lovable characters and heartwarming story. Below, we will evaluate each element in detail.

character

Cheburashka captures the hearts of viewers with his adorable appearance and pure heart. This mysterious animal with big ears and fluffy fur is curious and puts all his effort into everything he does. His appearance gives children dreams and hope, and adults a sense of nostalgia and healing. Gena is Cheburashka's good friend, and while she is proud of her job as a crocodile, she is also impressive in the way she enjoys new adventures with Cheburashka. Shapaklyak is a mischievous character, but behind that lies a hidden loneliness and desire for love, which resonates with viewers.

story

In the short seven-minute episodes, the stories depicting the daily lives of Cheburashka and Gena bring smiles and emotion to viewers. For example, "My First Friend" depicts the process of Cheburashka meeting Gena and developing a friendship. In "Mischievous Shapaklyak," Shapaklyak's pranks are the catalyst for deepening the bond between Cheburashka and Gena. In "Cheburashka's Birthday," Cheburashka's friends throw a party for him, warming the hearts of viewers. Each episode has a different theme, teaching children various lessons while also reminding adults of the truth of life.

animation

GoHands' animation brings out Cheburashka's adorable appearance to the fullest. The colors and cinematography are excellent, and Cheburashka's fluffy fur and large ears look very realistic. Gena's performance of the Garmoshka and Shapaklyak's mischief are also very smooth and visually enjoyable. The scene where Cheburashka falls down is particularly humorous and endearing.

music

The music by Koji Urikita enriches the worldview of Cheburashka. The music that matches the theme of each episode, including the ending theme by Tomoya Tamaru, enhances the emotions of the viewers. In the scene where Gena plays the Garmoshka, music is an important part of the story and deeply moves the viewers. The background music that adds excitement to Cheburashka's adventure also has the power to draw the viewers in.

voice actor

Nozomi Ohashi's voice as Cheburashka perfectly expresses the innocent and lovable character. Dai Tsuchida's voice as Gena also resonates with the audience, conveying the dignity and friendship of the crocodile. Cho's voice as Shapaklyak entertains the audience with its humorous portrayal of a mischievous character. The other cast members also bring their characters to life, enhancing the appeal of the story as a whole.

■Recommendation

"Cheburashka Huh?" is an anime that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. Various elements such as Cheburashka's adorable appearance and pure heart, his friendship with Gena, and Shapaklyak's pranks will bring smiles and emotions to viewers. In particular, it teaches children the importance of friendship and hard work, while providing nostalgia and healing to adults. The animation and music are also excellent, making it a visual and aural treat. Please watch it once and experience the world of Cheburashka.

Related information

Related information for "Cheburashka Huh?" includes the original picture book "Gena the Crocodile" and Cheburashka merchandise. The picture book allows you to enjoy a deeper story, such as the untold story of Cheburashka's birth and his encounter with Gena. In addition, various types of Cheburashka merchandise, such as stuffed toys and key chains, are sold and are must-have items for fans. By checking out this related information, you can enjoy the world of Cheburashka even more deeply.