The appeal and evaluation of BABY-HAMITANG: A new standard for children's animation

"Baby Hamitan": A 4-minute mini-animation that teaches children about the SDGs

"Baby Hamitan," which aired on TOKYO MX from January 12 to February 16, 2022, is a short anime of only four minutes that aims to teach children about the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). Although it is a short series of six episodes, each episode deals with a different theme and makes viewers think about social issues.

Overview

"Baby Hamitang" is an original anime work, directed and written by Asao, and animated by ROBOT. It is produced by the BABY-HAMITANG Production Committee. It aired for six weeks from January 12 to February 16, 2022, every Wednesday on TOKYO MX. Each episode airs for four minutes, from 19:26 to 19:30.

Cast and crew

The main cast includes Harumi as Baby Hamitan, Naoki Tatsuta as Amber and the narrator, and Momo Ishibashi, Nanami Yoshimura, and Asumi Saito as the babies. The main staff includes director and scriptwriter Asao, director and storyboard artist Satoshi Yao, character designer, color designer, and original artist Arisa Nakane, and character designer Asami Ike.

Themes and subtitles of each episode

The subtitles and themes of each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: What's Gender Equality? (2022/01/12)
• Episode 2: What's Food Loss? (2022/01/19)
• Episode 3: What's Global Warming? (2022/01/26)
• Episode 4: What's Decent Work? (2022/02/02)
• Episode 5: What's Water Shortage? (2022/02/09)
• Episode 6: What's Peace? (2022/02/16)

These themes are related to the 17 goals of the SDGs and are important topics for helping children understand social issues.

Theme songs and music

The ending theme "Hello Nees Do Mar Habon Ora" was written by Okada Satoshi + KT, composed by Okada Satoshi, arranged by Carlos K., and sung by Baby-Hamitang. The inserted song "LUCKY" was written by Fukuda Maki (3ji no Heroine), composed by Baby-Hamitang and Carlos K., arranged by Carlos K., and sung by Baby-Hamitang. These songs not only liven up the atmosphere of the work, but also play a role in communicating social issues with melodies that are easy for children to relate to.

Evaluation and impressions of the work

"Baby Hamitan" is a children's anime with highly educational content. In the short four-minute episodes, it succeeds in conveying the important themes of the SDGs in an easy-to-understand way. In particular, it is praised for the way it is designed to interest children through visual expressions and character movements.

In addition, each episode's theme is linked to a specific case study, allowing children to relate it to their own lives. For example, "What's Food Loss?" uses a specific scene to depict the problem of food waste, allowing viewers to feel closer to the issue.

Additionally, the character designs are adorable and child-friendly. Characters like Baby Hamitan and Amber are portrayed as beloved by viewers, creating an environment where children can learn while having fun.

Recommendations and how to watch

"Baby Hamitan" is an excellent anime to teach children about the SDGs. Parents and children can watch it together to deepen their understanding of social issues. It can also be used in schools and educational institutions to help educate children.

As for viewing methods, even after the broadcast on TOKYO MX has ended, it will be possible to watch it on official video distribution services, DVDs, and other media. In particular, by combining post-viewing discussions and workshops to make it easier for children to become interested, it will be possible to have a more effective learning experience.

summary

"Baby Hamitan" is a very valuable work as a 4-minute mini-anime to teach children about the SDGs. Each episode has a specific and easy-to-understand theme, and the character designs are friendly, so children can learn while having fun. Parents and children can watch it together, or it can be used in educational institutions to deepen their understanding of social issues. Please watch this work and think together for the future of our children.