is a Japanese
slice of life
Slice of life is a depiction of mundane experiences in art and entertainment. In theater, slice of life refers to naturalism, while in literary parlance it is a narrative technique in which a seemingly arbitrary sequence of events in a character ...
anime
is Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japane ...
series created by
Akira Okeya
Akira may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* ''Akira'' (franchise), a Japanese cyberpunk franchise
** ''Akira'' (manga), a 1980s cyberpunk manga by Katsuhiro Otomo
** ''Akira'' (1988 film), an anime film adaptation of the manga
** ''Akira'' (vide ...
(writer of ''
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team'' and ''
Transformers: Armada''), Iku, Takeshi Anzai and Tetsuro Amino (director of ''
Blue Comet SPT Layzner
, sometimes translated as ''Blue Meteor SPT Layzner'' is a science fiction anime series produced by Sunrise between 1985 and 1986. It was originally created by Tsunehisa Itō and Ryōsuke Takahashi; the latter serving as the director.
The ser ...
''). Dubbed by Glemar F. Produced by
Daume
is a Japanese animation studio that was founded in 1986.
Productions
TV series
* ''What's Michael?'' (1988-1989)
* '' D4 Princess'' (1999)
* ''Bubu Chacha'' (1999)
* '' I Love Bubu Chacha!'' (2001)
* ''Hanaukyo Maid Team'' series (2001–20 ...
and Japan Digital Entertainment, the series was directed and written by Akira Okeya and produced by Katsuhiko Nozawa, the animation producer of ''
Please Twins!
is an anime television series scripted by Yōsuke Kuroda and produced by Bandai Visual, which was later adapted into a light novel and one-volume manga series. It centers on a family of three teenagers in high school all living together who ...
''. Character designs were done by
Shinji Ochi, who did the character designs later on in ''
Ichigeki Sacchu!! HoiHoi-san''. The series first premiered on
NHK
, also known as NHK, is a Japanese public broadcaster. NHK, which has always been known by this romanized initialism in Japanese, is a statutory corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee.
NHK operates two terrestr ...
from April 8, 1999, to November 25, 1999, with a total of 26 episodes.
A second season titled premiered two years later on
NHK
, also known as NHK, is a Japanese public broadcaster. NHK, which has always been known by this romanized initialism in Japanese, is a statutory corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee.
NHK operates two terrestr ...
from April 3, 2001, to November 29, 2001, with a total run of 25 episodes. The first and/or the second season was also broadcast internationally on
Disney Channel Asia
Disney Channel was a pan-Asian pay television kids channel owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia; part of The Walt Disney Company Asia-Pacific.
It began broadcasting in Taiwan on 29 March 1995, until its main launch on Ja ...
(Asia Pacific),
GMTV2
GMTV (an acronym for Good Morning Television), now legally known as ITV Breakfast, ITV Breakfast Broadcasting Limited, was the name of the national ITV (TV network), Channel 3 breakfast television contractor/licensee, broadcasting in the Unit ...
(United Kingdom),
Raidue
Rai 2 is an Italian free-to-air television channel owned and operated by state-owned public broadcaster RAI – Radiotelevisione italiana. It is the company's second television channel, and is known for broadcasting ''TG2'' news bulletins, talk ...
(Italy),
TRT (Turkey),
ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine Commercial broadcasting, commercial broadcast broadcast network, network tha ...
(Philippines),
Trans TV
Trans TV is an Indonesian free-to-air television network based in South Jakarta that was launched on December 15, 2001 and owned by Chairul Tanjung. Programming consists of newscasts, movies, drama series, variety shows, quiz shows, and childre ...
and
Spacetoon
( ar, سبيستون or ) is a pan-Arab free-to-air television channel that specializes in animation and children programs. It began broadcasting on 15 March 2000 and it is headquartered in Dubai, UAE with offices in Riyadh. The channel targe ...
(Indonesia),
TVOKids
TVOkids (short for TVOntariokids and stylized as tvokids) is the brand for most of the children's programming aired by TVOntario (TVO) in Canada. It was launched on April 1, 1994 and runs from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily. The brand also operat ...
(Canada) and
Hero TV
Hero (also known as Hero TV) was a 24-hour Philippine pay television channel created by ABS-CBN's narrowcast arm Creative Programs Inc. from 2005 to 2018. The programming was composed primarily of Filipino-dubbed Japanese anime series. It wa ...
(Philippines). The animation studio itself later worked with Takeshi Anzai to produce the anime adaptation of ''
Strawberry Marshmallow
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Barasui about the adventures of four elementary school girls and their older sister-figure. It began serialization in ASCII Media Works' manga magazine ''Dengeki Daioh'' in 2002. In 20 ...
''.
Plot
Randy Rand is a curious 3-year-old boy who loves his pet dog named Chacha. One day, Randy is about to get hit by a car, when Chacha protects him and ends up dying. In a strange miracle the night after the accident, Chacha's spirit is reincarnated into a living yellow toy car so he can be with him all the time. The two became inseparable afterwards and have many adventures in which they learn valuable things in life. The story is set in Greenhill Town, which is loosely based on
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
, California.
Characters
;
:Voiced by:
Yuko Sasamoto
:Randy is a highly curious 3-year-old boy who matures through his experiences and friendship with Chacha. Everything he sees interests him and learning about anything excites him. Though he never calls himself by his name, his parents sometimes call him by his real name.
;
:Voiced by:
Chō
is a Japanese actor and narrator from Kōnosu, Saitama. His former stage name was . He is a graduate of the Nishogakusha University Department of Literature and received training at Bungakuza's research establishment and the Seinenza Theater C ...
:Chacha is once Randy's pet dog and best friend, guardian and teacher, who reincarnates as a yellow toy car. He is very supportive and also looks after Randy's safety. Chacha and Randy love each other and like to go out.
;
:Voiced by:
Atsuko Tanaka
:Connie Rand is Randy's mother and Forest's wife, a loving and understanding mother who notices Randy maturing. Gardening is her hobby.
;
:Voiced by:
Takuma Suzuki
is a Japanese voice actor who is affiliated with 81 Produce.
Selected voice roles
*Major Leads are in Bold.
Anime television series
*''Daa! Daa! Daa!'' – Yuu Kouzuki
*''Cromartie High School'' – Shinjiro Hayashida
*''Digimon Adventure'' ...
:Forest Rand is Randy's father and also Connie's husband. Being a journalist, Forest has a lot of information that gets Randy all excited. Forest loves toys and is very imaginative.
;
:Voiced by:
Taeko Kawata
is a freelance Japanese voice actress best known for voicing Amy Rose from the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' franchise. While working at a confectionery shop after graduating from Jissen Commercial High School, she attended a voice acting school in the ...
:Mary is Randy's neighbor. 4-year-old.She always behaves like a mature individual and thinks Randy is a little kid. She tries to teach him to grow up with much avail.
;
:Voiced by:
Yumi Takada
is a former Japanese voice actress employed by 81 Produce.
Notable voice roles
*Chitose Fujinomiya in Goldfish Warning!
*Alice Knox in Power Dolls
*Ayeka Masaki Jurai in Tenchi Muyo!
*Ayeka Takada (OVA)/Romio (TV), Ghost Girl (TV; episode 8) ...
:Catherine is Randy's 14-year-old cousin who is occasionally asked to baby-sit Randy. She is part of a running gag in the series where she accidentally hits a post with her bike.
; and
:Voiced by:
Tomohiro Nishimura
is a Japanese actor, voice actor, singer-songwriter, theatre director and sound director. He used to be employed by the talent management firm 81 Produce, but today he is freelance. He is often mixed up with Tomomichi Nishimura.
Since 2003, Nis ...
(Nick),
Kōichi Sakaguchi
is a Japanese voice actor affiliated with 81 Produce. He also had a recurring role in both the Japanese and English language ''Pokémon'' anime which saw him voicing Jessie's Arbok up until Episode 6 of the Hoenn series which saw Arbok and its c ...
(Terry)
:Also known as the Rap Brothers, Nick and Terry are 5 and 3 years old. They both bully Randy and Chacha and always speak in Rap.
;
:Voiced by:
Kinryū Arimoto
was a Japanese actor and voice actor formerly employed by Production Baobab. He also practiced kenpo, earning the black belt rank of shodan. Though his birth name was Yoshitaka, a kanji mistranslation led to his name being read as Kinryū, whi ...
:Uncle Daa is a man who works for the pest control. He appears in every episode and shouts "daaaaaaaa!!" at kids. The children think he simply loves to scare them off, but he actually shouts at them when he feels they are in danger.
;
:Voiced by:
Omi Minami
is a Japanese voice actress, essayist and columnist. She is mostly known for her work in anime and video game roles, with starring roles as Hyatt in ''Excel Saga'', Ruri Hoshino in ''Martian Successor Nadesico'', Majic in '' Orphen'', as well as ...
:Tau Dinton is an intelligent 5-year-old loner, who loves to read books. He moves to Greenhill Town, right across Buddy's house, and gradually opens up to Buddy and his friends.
;Chip
:Voiced by:
Kôichi Sakaguchi
:Chip is Tau's pet dog who just likes to run around wildly and bark. At first, Tau is not so fond of him, but as Chip improves his behavior, they get closer. Chip loves ChaCha and Buddy as well.
;
:Voiced by:
Yū Hayami
is a Japanese singer and tarento. In 2011, the Japanese music television program ''Music Station'' listed her as the 50th all-time best-selling idol in Japan, with 2,850,000 records sold.
Childhood and education
Hayami was born in Atami, Shi ...
:Sarah is a 12-year-old ghost living in the Ghost-apartment, who stands as sister-like figure for Randy. She is the same age as Catherine and is one of the two people who knows Chacha is a dog.
;
:Voiced by:
Sayuri Sadaoka
is a Japanese voice actress from Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
Filmography Anime
*''The Ancient Magus' Bride'' – Lizbeth Sergeant
*'' Another'' – Amane
*'' Fruits Basket: 2nd season'' (2020) - Mayuko's Mother (ep 12)
*''The Brave of Gold Gold ...
:Forest's mother who lives in Cleverland. She is very close to Randy, close enough to almost understand that Chacha is a dog. She looks at nature as one of mankind's best friend, just like Randy.
;
:Voiced by:
Asa Shirakura
:Kana is a female cocker spaniel and Chacha's crush. She does not notice that Chacha is a dog at first.
;
:Voiced by:
Hisao Egawa
is a Japanese voice actor from Tokyo who works for Aoni Production. Egawa is most known for the roles of Shin'ichi Maki in ''Slam Dunk'', Geki Kuroiwa in '' Brave Command Dagwon'', Geki Hyūma and Goldymarg in '' The King of Braves GaoGaiGar'', ...
:Hippo Truck is one of Chacha's friends. He is a hippopotamus, who dies and reincarnates into a giant truck. He is jealous of Chacha regarding Randy.
;
:Voiced by:
Mika Kanai
is a Japanese voice actress and singer. She is attached to Ken Production. She is best known for her roles in ''Idol Tenshi Yokoso Yoko'' (as Yoko Tanaka), ''Tanoshii Moomin Ikka'' (as the Snork Maiden), '' Goldfish Warning!'' (as Wapiko), ''So ...
:Bubu Pyoko is another of Chacha's friends. He is a frog who met Randy's grandmother. His spirit has been reincarnated into Forest's old toy car that he played with when he was a child.
;
:Voiced by:
Hidenari Ugaki
is a Japanese actor and voice actor from Tokyo. He is currently attached to 81 Produce. He is best known for his roles in ''Mobile Fighter G Gundam'' (as Argo Gulskii), the TV Tokyo edition of ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (as Donatello), th ...
:Bull Robo is a bulldog and one of Chacha's friends. He has been Chacha's friend since before Randy was born. He first appears as a ghost, then reincarnates inside a toy robot.
;
:Voiced by:
Mako Hyōdō
, also credited as Mako Hyoudou, is a Japanese actress, voice actress and singer from Tokyo, Japan.
Notable roles
* Girl in ''Angel's Egg''
* Christella Revi in '' Birdy the Mighty: Decode''
* Young Lady in '' The Red Spectacles''
* Sharon Appl ...
:Appearing in the second season, Cindy is a circus elephant, whose spirit has been reincarnated into a Shovel Car. She is physically strong, yet a little shy but ready to help people build anything.
;
:Voiced by:
Junko Noda
is a Japanese freelance voice actress and singer from Naniwa-ku, Osaka. She often voices boyish girls and boys, and since she herself lived in Osaka until the age of 21, she also voices characters with Kansai dialect in supporting roles.
Filmog ...
:Appearing in the second season, Baby Leopard is a baby leopard, whose spirit has been reincarnated into a sports car. He likes to race around town.
;Eyebrow Alien
:Voiced by:
Keiichi Sonobe
is a male Japanese voice actor from Tokyo affiliated with 81 Produce.
Roles Television animation
*''Agatha Christie's Great Detectives Poirot and Marple'' (Inspector Mirā)
*''Ai Yori Aoshi'' (Yōda)
*''Azuki-chan'' (Tako-sensei, Sendai's uncle)
...
:The leader of the Eyebrow Aliens, who came to earth from the Eyebrow Planet.
;Papa Rat
:Voiced by:
Kouki Miyata Kouki is both a surname and a given name. Notable people with the name include:
* Manel Kouki (born 1988), Tunisian handball player
* Mikko Kouki (born 1967), Finnish actor
*, Japanese footballer
* Kouki Takahashi
was a Japanese professional m ...
:Papa Rat is the father of a family of rats, who reincarnated into Tau's toy car. Papa Rat and his family lives in Tau's former house in Greenhill Town.
Music
The series's music in both seasons was composed by
Gori Tsuno, who did the soundtrack for ''
Bakusō Kyōdai Let's & Go!!
is a manga series created by Tetsuhiro Koshita, first serialized in Shogakukan's CoroCoro Comic magazine from July 1994 to October 1999. The manga centers on Retsu and Go Seiba, twin brothers who focus on the world of miniature car raci ...
''. Sound production of the anime was handled by
Half HP Studio.
Theme Songs
;''Bubu Chacha''
*Opening theme:
**Lyrics:
Tetsurō Amino
is a Japanese anime director, born on October 10, 1955, in Chiba Prefecture. In 1988, he started using his name in katakana.
Works
* '' Arashi no Yoru ni: Himitsu no Tomodachi''
* '' Bakusō Kyōdai Let's & Go!!''
* ''Bubu Chacha''
* ''DT Eightr ...
**Composition and arrangement:
Tsuno Tsuyoshi
**Artist: Makorin & Pythagoras
*Ending theme:
**Lyrics: Tetsurō Amino
**Composition and arrangement: Tsuno Tsuyoshi
**Artist: Makorin & Pythagoras
;''I Love Bubu Chacha''
*Opening theme:
**Artist:
Minako Kaneko
*Ending theme:
**Artist:
Minako Kaneko
References
External links
*
*
{{Daume
1999 anime television series debuts
2001 anime television series debuts
NHK original programming
Comedy anime and manga
Fictional cars