It has been revealed that singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada will perform the new ending theme song, "Papa Paradise," for the TV anime "Chibi Maruko-chan" (Fuji TV, Sundays at 6 PM), based on the popular manga by Momoko Sakura. Since October 2019, "Itsumo no Fuukei," sung by Kazuyoshi Saito, has been used as the ending theme, but for the first time in about six and a half years, the singer has changed and Utada will now be performing the song. "Papa Paradise" is Utada's new song, and will be debuted on the one-hour special "Sakura Saku Minna ni Happiness Are! Spring 1-Hour Special," which will air on March 29th.
Since "Chibi Maruko-chan" began airing in 1990, 12 ending theme songs have been performed by various artists. This time, Utada was approached by Sakura Production to perform the ending theme song for the 13th series. A newly drawn illustration featuring a collaboration between "Chibi Maruko-chan" and Utada has also been released.
Sakura Production commented, "Sakura Momoko loves Utada Hikaru's music, and would often listen to her albums 'First Love,' 'SAKURA Drops,' and 'traveling' at home. These songs, which she listened to repeatedly with her young son at the time, are precious to her, and to her family, filled with irreplaceable memories. 'I wonder what kind of life experiences she must have had that allow her to write such wonderful lyrics at such a young age. Just like her name suggests, she is someone who shines in song,'" she said in a very Sakura-like way. 2025 will mark the 35th anniversary of the show's broadcast, and as we move forward this spring, we are very pleased that we are able to collaborate with Utada. We hope you will look forward to a new ' Chibi Maruko-chan' brought to life through Utada's unique worldview."
Producer Takeeda Yoshinori of Fuji TV's anime production department commented, "Starting with 'Cherry Blossoms Bloom, Good Happiness for Everyone! Spring 1-Hour Special' on March 29th, the ending theme song will be Hikaru Utada's 'Papa Paradise.' 'Papa Paradise' has a positive and bright tempo. We communicated the image of the song to her, that it should be 'a song that makes you wish tomorrow would come soon, that gives you hope for tomorrow.' She wrote the lyrics and composed the music herself, providing us with a song that is very Utada-like and suits ' Chibi Maruko-chan' perfectly! ' Chibi Maruko-chan' has now reached its 36th year on the air. We will continue to strive to make it a series that is loved by everyone! Please look forward to the new ending theme song and the broadcast of the Spring 1-Hour Special!"
Singer Ado is in charge of the opening theme song for the TV anime, "Odoru Pompokorin."
"Chibi Maruko-chan" is a manga set in Shimizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture (now Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka City), depicting the daily life of third-grade elementary school student Maruko, her family, and friends. It began serialization in "Ribon" (Shueisha) in 1986.
