Not just cute. "Cheerful folks" that resonate with adults too.
Having children has increased the opportunities for the whole family to watch anime together.
In our home, too, we watch various anime with our children.
And lately, I've been thinking.
Anime is actually quite profound even when watched by adults.
Even though we watch it while laughing with our children and saying "how cute," there are moments that suddenly strike a chord in an adult's heart.
Family matters.
Relationships with friends.
Involvement with work and society.
Living life in one's own way.
There are things I didn't notice as a child that I can see now precisely because I am an adult.
In the first place, some of the works that are now enjoyed as entertainment for children were not originally intended solely for children.
The national anime "Crayon Shin-chan"
For example, Crayon Shin-chan.
Although it is now a national anime that everyone knows, the original manga began serialization in 1990 in Futabasha's "Weekly Manga Action." It is now officially introduced as a "family manga of laughter and emotion."
When I was a child, I simply laughed at Shin-chan's words and actions.
But looking at it as an adult,
"Hiroshi has it tough, too..."
or,
"Misae, I totally get it..."
are things I sometimes think.
Because it is a work that depicts the daily lives of a family, what you see in it changes as you grow up and gain more experience.
Even though it is the same work, what you take away from it differs depending on your age and experience.
That might also be the charm of a work that is loved for a long time.
Chiikawa is not just "cute"
Recently, the Chiikawa movie has also become a hot topic.
Released on July 24, 2026, "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island" is the first film adaptation of "Chiikawa." The highly popular "Siren Arc" from the series has been brought to the screen.
When you think of Chiikawa, the first thing that comes to mind is "cute."
They are round, small, and just looking at them is healing.
But I don't think Chiikawa is just content that is "cute."
Working.
Doing your best.
Anxiety.
Friendship.
Living.
Within the world of these cute characters, many things that connect to our own daily lives are depicted.
And even after you finish watching the movie,
"That was cute!"
is not where it ends.
It leaves you with something to think about.
"Cute" does not mean shallow at all.
Because it is a cute world, sometimes even slightly difficult themes can naturally enter your heart.
Also in the Disney works I continue to write about
And, I feel the same way about the Disney movies I continue to write about on note.
There are many Disney works that have life itself as their theme.
Connections with family.
Living true to yourself.
Parting with someone important.
Chasing your dreams.
Facing your own heart.
If you watch them with children, you can enjoy them as fun movies.
But when I watch them now that I am an adult,
"It's because I am who I am now that this scene stays with me so much"
there are moments when I think that.
Even with the same work, the scenes that stay in your heart change depending on where you are in life.
Children from a child's perspective.
Adults from the perspective of their adult selves.
Even though we are watching the same work, we are each receiving something different.
Perhaps that is why I like anime and movies that I can watch with my children.
And recently, there is a work that our whole family is enjoying watching together at home.
That is,
"Cheerful Folks."
Marolo the sloth is just so cute.
Among the "Cheerful Folks," my personal favorite is Marolo the sloth.
First of all, the way he talks and his gestures are just so cute.
Just like a sloth, he is laid-back and relaxed.
He moves slowly, so slowly.
Just watching him makes me feel relaxed too.
……or so I thought.
Suddenly, he starts dancing at high speed.
Wait, that's fast!!
He was moving slowly just a moment ago, so what happened all of a sudden?
The contrast in pace is amazing.
"Because he's a sloth, he's always slow"
He easily betrays that assumption I had.
I think this unpredictability is also part of Marolo's charm.
He's not just a "laid-back guy"
And Marolo.
He's not just a laid-back guy.
He actually lives in society.
"My boss is like..."
Talking about things like that,
"My tax return is..."
or starting to say things like that.
Wait.
Even though you're a sloth, you file a tax return?
This gap is irresistibly funny.
Even though they are characters with a cute appearance, they do their jobs properly and live in society.
And, while they may look laid-back, they are actually quite greedy for their desires.
"Sloth = laid-back, selfless"
They betray the image we have arbitrarily held in a good way.
They are slow.
But, they want what they want.
They live in society.
But, they don't break their own pace.
This exquisite balance is interesting.
▶Maroro, who is cute and greedy
The mysterious word "Namindfulness"
One of the videos featuring such a Maroro is,
"Namindfulness".
Just from the name, I'm already curious.
Not "mindfulness," but
Namindfulness.
A surreal and unique world unfolded by Marolo the sloth.
I think it's faster to watch it than to explain it in words.
▶Namindfulness
...What do you think?
Cute.
Laid-back.
Surreal.
And for some reason, it's addictive.
Watching Marolo, the image I had of "sloths are like this" is broken one after another.
Just when you think they're being lazy, they suddenly dance at high speed.
Just when you think they're laid-back, they talk about realistic adult issues.
They look like they have no desires, but they are surprisingly greedy.
The scale of that range is what makes it so interesting.
And, a little philosophical.
The reason I like "Cheerful fellows" isn't just because they're funny.
Cute characters doing surreal things.
Yet, sometimes they make you think about life in a strange way.
You don't have to try too hard.
You don't have to compare yourself to others.
It's okay to go at your own pace.
But it's also okay to want what you want.
You can live in society while still being yourself.
They show us that without being preachy.
And that feels somehow comforting.
Sometimes I feel like I have to do things "properly" too much.
I have to try harder.
I have to be more efficient.
I have to do it right.
When I see Maroro while I'm feeling that tense,
"Well, isn't it okay not to try so hard?"
I feel like someone is tapping me on the shoulder.
Of course, Maroro isn't saying anything.
He's just being laid-back.
…Or so I thought, and then suddenly he's dancing at high speed.
Maybe that's just about right.
It doesn't have to be the same all the time.
It's okay to have slow days.
It's okay to have days where your energy suddenly spikes.
It's okay to be true to your desires sometimes.
It's okay to live at your own pace while still living properly in society.
Watching Marolo makes me think that way.
Recommended for people like this
"Cheerful Fellows" is recommended for people like this.
People who like to think about philosophical things
People looking for a work they can enjoy watching with their children
People who like surreal worldviews
People who want to be healed by cute characters
People who have been working a little too hard lately
People who want to relax and take the pressure off
Cute characters appear, and it's laid-back, surreal, and makes you laugh before you know it.
But, if you look closely,
"Maybe this is what it means to live"
It even makes you think about things that are a bit philosophical.
I think it's a work with that kind of mysterious charm.
It's fine to watch it while laughing with your children.
It's fine for an adult to watch it alone and chuckle at Marolo's words and actions.
It's fine to watch it on a tiring day without thinking about anything.
And, after you finish watching it, just a little bit,
"Well, I guess I don't have to try so hard."
If you can think that, maybe that alone is enough.
In our home, we are watching "Cheerful Folks" together as a family again today.
Cute, surreal, and a little philosophical.
And above all,
cheerful.
That is what I love about them.
#CheerfulFolks #Marolo #Sloth
#Anime #AnimeLover #EnjoyWithKids
#FamilyTime #Parenting #Healing #Relax #Philosophy #Surreal #Disney #note