Toei Animation’s official English YouTube channel has commenced streaming the unconventional anime series Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, bringing its unique brand of slapstick comedy to a wider online audience. The streams began on June 28, with episodes airing every weekend morning as a livestream event.
A World Where Hair is Freedom
The 2003-2006 television anime adapts Yoshio Sawai’s popular slapstick comedy manga. The narrative plunges viewers into a bizarre world in the year 300X, where the militant Hair Hunt troops of the tyrannical Maruhage Empire are on a mission to seize all hair, viewing it as the ultimate form of freedom. Standing against this follicular oppression is the singular hero, Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo.
The Fist of the Nose Hair and a Golden Afro
Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, a master of the “Fist of the Nose Hair,” is characterized by his gleaming golden afro. He allies with a young girl named Beauty to thwart the evil Empire and its leader, Baldy Bald the 4th. Their “hair-raising adventures” span the globe, introducing them to an eclectic and often “buzz-arre” cast of allies and an equally strange array of foes. The series is renowned for its use of puns, cross-dressing, and abundant visual gags, offering a “comical adventure” that aims to leave viewers “dye-ing with laughter.”
Previous Releases and Availability
Before its current YouTube run, Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo has seen various releases in North America. Discotek Media released the complete 76-episode series on a standard-definition Blu-ray Disc set in January 2020, featuring both English and Japanese audio with subtitles. Earlier, Illumitoon Entertainment released a portion of the anime in 2007 but did not complete the series. S’more Entertainment also released the full series, though their release notably lacked subtitles for the Japanese version.
In terms of other streaming platforms, Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo is available on Crunchyroll and The Roku Channel.
Toei Animation’s Expanding YouTube Offerings
The streaming of Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo on Toei Animation’s English YouTube channel is part of a broader initiative by the company. The channel has also begun streaming other beloved anime titles, including Digimon Adventure, Pretty Cure, and Magical DoReMi. This move provides fans with accessible and free weekend entertainment, showcasing classic anime series from Toei Animation’s extensive library.
