The beloved manga Bonobono, created by Mikio Igarashi, will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026. At the same time, the Bonobono anime series, currently airing on Fuji TV every Saturday morning at 5:22 a.m. (with catch-up streaming available on FOD), will mark its 10th anniversary. In celebration of these milestones, a commemorative project spanning three years begins today, April 2, and will continue through March 2028, featuring a variety of collaborations and events.

First serialized in 1986, Bonobono has sold over 9.5 million copies. The story follows a young sea otter named Bonobono, who’s endlessly curious about odd and mysterious things. Alongside a cast of charming, laid-back characters, the series gently explores the deeper truths of life with humor and warmth.

The anniversary project features a special logo combining “40” for the manga and “10” for the anime, symbolizing both milestones. This logo will serve as the emblem of the project.

To commemorate the launch of the project, a limited-edition product titled the “Cheers with Bonobono Set” will go on sale starting at noon on April 5. The set includes three kinds of craft beer inspired by characters from the series, and an original beer glass featuring Bonobono’s face.

Additionally, a collaborative event titled “Bonobono’s Aquarium Walk with Friends” will be held at Lotte World Aquarium in Seoul, South Korea. The event will run from April 11 to June 1 and will include themed photo spots, character greetings, collaborations with aquatic animal exhibits, exclusive merchandise, and limited-edition food and drink menus.

Limited-Edition Bonobono Anniversary Beer Set

Product name: Cheers with Bonobono Set
On Sale: From noon, April 5
Shipping: Scheduled between late June and late July
Price: ¥5,500 (tax included)
Alcohol content: 5%
Shelf life: 240 days
Volume: 330ml bottles
Contents: 3 bottles of beer (1 of each variety) + 1 original Bonobono-labeled beer glass

Bonobono Label
A refreshing, blue-colored sparkling beer inspired by Bonobono. It has a crisp taste with reduced bitterness, making it enjoyable even for those who typically dislike beer.

Shimarisu-kun (Chipmunk) Label
This pink-colored beer is inspired by Shimarisu-kun (Chipmunk) and made with aromatic, richly flavored cherries from Hokkaido. It offers a fruity sweetness and a refreshing aroma.

Araiguma-kun (Raccoon) Label
Inspired by Araiguma-kun (Raccoon), this beer uses barley malt from Hokkaido and features the deep richness of malt, balanced with the fruity aroma of American hops. The result is a beer with a well-rounded blend of bitterness, aroma, and sweetness.

Source : ORICON NEWS