Tokyo, Japan – The popular short-form comedy anime franchise, Ahare! Meisaku-kun, has been a continuous presence in Japanese entertainment, known for its unique blend of humor and parodies of classic tales. While recent reports have hinted at a potential new anime in 2026, the most directly confirmed development regarding new content stems from a highly successful crowdfunding campaign launched in April 2022, which quickly met its goal for a new series.
The Enduring Appeal of Ahare! Meisaku-kun
Ahare! Meisaku-kun first premiered in April 2016 as a segment within NHK Educational TV’s “Beat World” variety show. Each episode runs for approximately five minutes, delivering sharp comedic takes on well-known characters and stories. The series follows protagonist Matsuda Meisaku as he navigates Ryugu Elementary School, a prestigious institution known for producing legendary characters. Surrounded by eccentric classmates such as the high-energy Sweetie, the easily angered Musubi, the narcissistic robot Nokio, and the speedy Bolt, Meisaku strives to graduate as a “masterpiece” character himself.
The show’s consistent run has seen it through multiple seasons, with its sixth season debuting in April 2021. The anime has garnered a dedicated following due to its witty writing and distinctive character designs by Jun Oson.
Crowdfunding Success Paves Way for “New Series”
On April 1, 2022, the Ahare! Meisaku-kun staff initiated a crowdfunding campaign to produce a new series. The initiative proved to be incredibly popular, reaching its funding goal within just 30 minutes of its launch on April 8, 2022. This rapid success underscored the strong support from fans eager for more adventures from Ryugu Elementary.
While the crowdfunding effort explicitly secured production for a “new series,” specific details regarding its format, exact release window beyond “new series,” or whether this directly translates to an anime project slated for 2026 have not been explicitly detailed in publicly available reports from the crowdfunding announcement itself.
The Franchise’s History and Future Prospects
Over its broadcast history, Ahare! Meisaku-kun has seen various iterations, including multiple television seasons and original net animations (ONAs) like Ahare! Meisaku-kun Ryūgūchū-hen. The series concluded its television broadcast run on NHK Education on March 25, 2022, as part of a reorganization of the “Beat World” program. However, the immediate success of the crowdfunding campaign for a “new series” shortly thereafter signaled the franchise’s strong intention to continue producing content.
Fans continue to anticipate the fruits of the 2022 crowdfunding campaign. The longevity and creative energy of Ahare! Meisaku-kun, combined with its proven ability to engage its audience, suggest a vibrant future for the franchise as it explores new storytelling avenues. While an explicit 2026 release for a specific new anime project remains to be officially detailed following the 2022 crowdfunding, the commitment to new content is clear, promising further comedic escapades from Meisaku and his classmates.
