TOKYO – The beloved romantic comedy anime franchise “Please Teacher!” (Onegai☆Teacher) has officially launched a crowdfunding campaign on the Motion Gallery website to fund a new animation video project. The initiative, spearheaded by production company Genco, Inc., aims to raise 25 million yen (approximately US$160,000) for what is described as a “reboot” of the popular “Onegai” series. The campaign began on Thursday, November 27, 2025, and is set to conclude on March 28, 2026.
A Return to Lake Kizaki
The new animation video is slated to begin production in December 2025, with an anticipated completion timeframe around April or May 2026. Fans can look forward to limited theatrical screenings in Tokyo and the scenic Lake Kizaki area in Nagano, which served as the iconic setting for both the original “Please Teacher!” and its sequel, “Please Twins!”. A Blu-ray Disc release is also planned.
The upcoming project will feature two distinct stories, delving into the relationships of fan-favorite characters: one focusing on Mizuho and Kei, and another on Koishi and Ichigo.
Key Creative Team Reunites
The new animation sees the return of several key figures from the original series, ensuring continuity and a faithful revival of the franchise. Yasunori Ide, who directed both “Please Teacher!” and “Please Twins!”, is back at the helm for the new video, working with Studio M2. Original character designer Taraku Uon is also returning to contribute their distinctive artistic vision.
The team further includes Kusanagi handling the background art, Emi Yonezawa as producer, and Bandai Namco Filmworks overseeing the Blu-ray Disc production. Additionally, Atsuko Nakajima, who contributed key animation to the ending credits and a specific episode of the original “Please Teacher!”, will draw an illustration for the project. Genco is credited with the overall production.
Campaign Goals and Backer Rewards
The primary goal of the crowdfunding campaign is to secure 25,000,000 yen to cover the production costs of the new animation. As of the initial days, the campaign has already garnered approximately 1.8 million yen.
While specific reward tiers were detailed, they generally include various editions of the new “Please Teacher!” Blu-ray, participation commemoration postcards and stickers, an anthology comic, and acrylic file sets with new illustrations. These rewards aim to provide backers with exclusive merchandise and early access to the new content, a common practice in creative crowdfunding ventures.
The Legacy of “Please Teacher!”
The original “Please Teacher!” anime series, a science fiction romantic comedy, first premiered in Japan in 2002. It quickly gained a dedicated following for its unique premise involving a high school student, Kei Kusanagi, and his new teacher, Mizuho Kazami, who harbors an alien secret. The series explored their unexpected romantic relationship amidst the backdrop of everyday school life and sci-fi elements, set in the picturesque Lake Kizaki area.
It was followed by a spin-off, “Please Twins!”, which debuted in 2003. Both series were animated by Daume and featured scripts by Yōsuke Kuroda, further cementing their place in early 2000s anime culture. The enduring popularity of the franchise has led to this new “reboot” project, demonstrating the continued interest in its characters and story more than two decades after its initial release.
