Epoch, the creator of the beloved Sylvanian Families toy line (known as Calico Critters in North America), has revealed a new 3D CG anime series titled Sylvanian Families: Freya’s Wonder Days (Sylvanian Families Freya no Wonder Days). The 12-episode series is set to premiere on Tokyo MX on October 2.
This latest animation project continues the franchise’s tradition of bringing its charming anthropomorphic animal characters to life. The announcement builds on recent animated releases, including a new anime series that premiered in October 2022 and the franchise’s first anime film, Sylvanian Families: The Movie: A Gift From Freya, which opened in Japan in November 2023.
What to Expect in “Freya’s Wonder Days”
The upcoming Freya’s Wonder Days anime will feature both returning and new characters, further enriching the world of Sylvania. Aya Yamane will reprise her role as Freya Chocolate, alongside Saya Tanaka as Lyla Persian, Madoka Murakami as Ralph Walnut, and Misaki Watada as Creme Chocolate.
New additions to the cast include Natsumi Haruse as Theo Chocolate and Megu Umezawa as Noa Chocolate. Masaaki Kawahara, who directed the previous anime, will return to helm the new series at LandQ studios. Hirotoshi Kobayashi, who oversaw scripts for Sylvanian Families: The Movie, will be back to oversee and write scripts for Freya’s Wonder Days, joined by returning writer Momoka Toyoda and new writer Chisato Matsuda. Asaka Narita is handling the CG direction, while Yuichi “masa” Nonaka returns as the musical composer and Takumi Kodama as the sound director. HEAD OFF will once again be responsible for sound production.
A Legacy of Animation
The Sylvanian Families franchise, which originated in Japan in 1985, has a rich history of animated adaptations. The toy line, recognized for its detailed flocked animal figurines and idyllic village setting, quickly gained global popularity, winning the British Association of Toy Retailers award for “Toy of the Year” three years consecutively in the late 1980s.
Previous animated ventures include:
- Early Animated Series: An American-animated series in 1987 and a British stop-motion series in 1988 introduced the characters to wider audiences.
- 2007 3DCG OVA Series: A three-episode Japanese CG anime video series was released in 2007.
- “Sylvanian Families Mini Stories”: A short-form anime series premiered in October 2017, with subsequent seasons in 2018 and 2019. These episodes were also released outside Japan on platforms like YouTube and Netflix.
- “Sylvanian Families: Freya’s Happy Diary”: A new anime series for the franchise premiered in October 2022, with episodes also posted on Amazon Prime Video Japan.
- “Sylvanian Families: Freya’s Go For Dream!”: This 13-episode anime premiered on July 6, 2023, on TOKYO MX and streamed simultaneously on d Anime Store.
- The First Feature Film: Gekijōban Sylvanian Families: Freya Kara no Okurimono (Sylvanian Families: The Movie: A Gift From Freya) opened in Japanese theaters in November 2023.
The consistent production of animated content highlights the enduring appeal of Sylvanian Families/Calico Critters, captivating generations with its themes of nature, family, and love, and fostering imaginative play. The new Sylvanian Families: Freya’s Wonder Days series is poised to continue this legacy, offering fresh adventures for fans old and new.
