anime
is a Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, , in Japan and in Ja ...
television series created by Hiroto Ishikawa and directed by Kiyoshi Fukumoto. The series is animated by Studio Comet, with the series written by Takashi Yamada, who later worked on ''
HeartCatch PreCure!
, or ''HeartCatch Pretty Cure!'', is a Japanese anime series and the seventh installment in the ''Pretty Cure'' metaseries by Izumi Todo, featuring the fifth generation of Cures. The series is produced by Toei Animation, directed by Tatsuya ...
'' and character designs both done by Shuichi Seki and Shida Tadashi. The series first premiered on
TV Aichi
Aichi Television Broadcasting Company, Ltd. (TVA; ), also referred to as , with the callsigns JOCI-DTV (channel 10) is a Japanese television station
A television station is a set of equipment managed by a business, organisation or other entity ...
and
TV Tokyo
JOTX-DTV (channel 7), branded as is a Japanese television station that serves as the flagship of the TX Network.Transformers: Galaxy Force.
Plot summary
The Inuyama Family, along with their pet dog Tetsunoshin moves to the famous Hoppongi Hills (modeled after
Roppongi Hills
is a development project in Tokyo and one of Japan's largest integrated property developments, located in the Roppongi district of Minato, Tokyo.
Constructed by building tycoon Minoru Mori, the mega-complex incorporates office space, apartm ...
) from
Kyushu
is the third-largest island of Japan's Japanese archipelago, four main islands and the most southerly of the four largest islands (i.e. excluding Okinawa Island, Okinawa and the other Ryukyu Islands, Ryukyu (''Nansei'') Ryukyu Islands, Islands ...
. Rumi Inuyama's father owns an IT Company in Japan and is a step further to becoming number one. However, Tetsunoshin learned that his master's family loaned a lot of money renting their home in Hoppongi Hills, almost to the point of the whole company becoming bankrupt. To make things even worse, the whole family spends a lot of money on everything, making Tetsunoshin's problems worse. To solve this problem, Tetsunoshin teamed up with the Hills Dogs and will do anything to pay all the Inuyama Family's expenses.
Characters
Hills Dogs/Dog Paradise Members
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:Tetsunoshin is a seven-month-old Toy Poodle living with the Inuyama Family. His owner is Rumi Inuyama. He and his owner were once from
Kyushu
is the third-largest island of Japan's Japanese archipelago, four main islands and the most southerly of the four largest islands (i.e. excluding Okinawa Island, Okinawa and the other Ryukyu Islands, Ryukyu (''Nansei'') Ryukyu Islands, Islands ...
before moving to the Hoppongi Hills in
Tokyo
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
. He speaks with a Kyushu accent and loves his owner and very much, and will do anything to get them out of bankruptcy. Tetsunoshin has a very long 5 meter pedigree certificate scroll, containing his family lineage (though its contents were washed off in Episode 25) and he is the 81st of the 102 born poodles. He also has a crush on Chocolat and likes her a lot. With Seto's powers, he can assume his human form as Celebrity Knight. As Celebrity Knight, he supports his master in many ways and tries to make her happy, though this transformation lasts for only three minutes.
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Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is a dog breed, breed of small dog of the Schnauzer type that originated in Germany in the mid-to-late 19th century. Miniature Schnauzers may have been developed from the smallest specimens of the Standard Schnauzer, or c ...
and the oldest member of the Hills Dogs. Usually trained well in magic, he stands as Tetsunoshin's mentor in any situation they face. As the leader of the Hills Dogs, he has responsibility on protecting their secret hideout, the Dog's Paradise from outsiders and will punish them if they revealed their secrets. Also he has an ability to turn dogs into humans, only for a short period of time.
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:Pochi is a Bull terrier and also one of Tetsunoshin's close friends. His owner is Sagiyama Aya, a famous star in Tokyo. He first met Tetsunoshin after he saved him from John. After then he starts to adore Tetsunoshin and helps him with his owner's family problems. He is very shy and sometimes can't handle spicy foods, but he also has courage to take some risks. He was once transformed into a human by Seto.
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:Hakase is a 5-year-old
Welsh Corgi
The Welsh Corgi ( or Corgi, plural Corgis, or occasionally the etymologically consistent Corgwn; ) is a small type of herding dog that originated in Wales. The name ''corgi'' is thought to be derived from the Welsh words and (which is muta ...
and the genius of the Hills Dogs. He has an IQ level of 200.5 and is a genius on inventing things. Hakase usually serves as a trader to earns funds for the whole Dog Paradise and sometimes spends some of his time in
Akihabara
is a neighborhood in the Chiyoda ward of Tokyo, Japan, generally considered to be the area surrounding Akihabara Station (nicknamed ''Akihabara Electric Town''). This area is part of the and Kanda-Sakumachō districts of Chiyoda. There is an ...
looking for electronics. He also produces a lot of strange inventions and gadgets that benefit the members of the Hills Dogs.
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:Hanzou is a 7-year-old Mameshiba and also a trained
Iga-ryū
is an umbrella term for ninjutsu traditions that come from the Iga region, according to Japanese legend. It became one of the two most well-known ninja traditions in Japan. The ''Iga-ryū'' traditions originated in the Iga Province in the area ar ...
ninja, usually self trained. He speeches ends with "~de gozaru" and is very calm and yet also very supportive to the members of the Dog Paradise. He first met Seto years ago as a stray in an early age and he was taken in as a member of the group. Hanzo is also one of the Hills Dogs who is transformed into a human.
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:Meg is a 2-year-old Papillon and also one of the three female members of the Hills Dogs. Being one of the youngest members, Meg is a sassy girl and likes to be an idol someday, going through auditions. She has a huge rivalry with Audrey, one of the Shirogane Dogs and will try everything to be on top and become a star. Meg also serves as Seto's massager, usually in her dog form, she uses her feet to massage Seto's back. Like the others, she has a human form as well.
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:Victoria is a 5-year-old
Poodle
The Poodle, called the in German () and the in French, is a breed of water dog. The breed is divided into four varieties based on size, the Standard Poodle, Medium Poodle, Miniature Poodle and Toy Poodle, although the Medium Poodle is no ...
and also one of the three female members of the Hills Dogs. She is very stylish and yet mature, and also serves as Seto's Secretary. She has a lot of experience on TV commercials and also a good VIP while in human form. Victoria also wears glasses and has allergies to Elephants since she was a puppy. She is also afraid of ghosts.
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:Rinia is a 6-year-old English Setter and also a speedster of the Hills Dogs. He operates the vehicles Hakase makes for his friends and also an expert pilot.
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:Iwan is a 10-year-old
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a dog breed, breed of medium-sized Working dog, working sled dog. The breed belongs to the Spitz genetic family. It is recognizable by its thickly furred Coat (dog), double coat, erect triangular ears, and distinctive mark ...
and the group's strongman. He was born as a mercenary dog and was trained since he was a puppy. Thought sometimes dimwitted and goes into action rather than words, he doesn't like to be called an idiot by his friends. He also has a human form thanks to Seto's Dog Magic.
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:Ooana is a 10-year-old
Pekingese
The Pekingese (also spelled Pekinese) is a dog breed, breed of toy dog, originating in China. The breed was favored by royalty of the Chinese sovereign, Chinese Imperial court as a companion dog, and its name refers to the city of Beijing (Peki ...
and also the group's gambler. Although he is an expert gambler, he sometimes has his share of bad-luck and sometimes his sense of direction is bad.
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:Chocolat is a Chihuahua and also one of the three female members of the Hills Dogs. Her owner is Yuki Yagino. She recently joined the group after Tetsunoshin told her about the Dog Paradise. She is the object of Tetsunoshin's affection, having fallen in love with her at first sight and sometimes calling her an angel. Thought she can get mad when he said something bad to her. At first glance, Chocolat seems innocuous, but in reality, she is a spy from the Shirogane Dogs named Twelve, to spy on the Hills Dogs, especially to Seto. She once worked in a Circus before joining the Shiroganes, later being adopted by Yuki's family. She was killed in episode 50.
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:John is a
Dachshund
The dachshund ( or ; German: 'badger dog'), also known as the wiener dog or sausage dog, badger dog, doxen and doxie, is a short-legged, long-bodied, hound-type dog breed. The dog may be smooth-haired, wire-haired, or long-haired, with varie ...
He's a crazy and yet country dog calling from Shirogan. He once worked for the formerly henchman of Shirogan, but defected after Tetsunoshin saved his life.
Shirogane Dogs
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:The leader of the Shirogane Dogs. He is cruel and tyrannical and would like nothing less than to see the Hills Dogs put down. He used to a pupil at the same training grounds as Seto. Like Seto he can also make use of magic.
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:The Shirogane ninja. He took the same training as Hanzou.
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Other Dogs
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Humans
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:Tetsunoshin's owner. She is very charismatic, making friends with new people and doing her part for her family. She attends the Saint Lady Academy.
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:Rumi's father. He is the head of his IT company, but often finds himself stressed from large amounts of debts and his relatives squandering his hard-earned money. Still he is very supportive of his family and Tetsunoshin.
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:Rumi's mother. She is very carefree and not very cautious of the family's budget, that she often goes into shopping sprees. Sometimes she offers encouragement and confidence to her husband.
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:The Inuyama's serving maid. She is very klutzy, often breaking something or hurting herself. She sometimes serves as Rumi's mentor.
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:Rumi's rival, who turns her face at the Inuyama family's methods and possessions with some ridicule and portraying a standoffish attitude. She also competes for Celebrity Knight's affection.
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:A skilled dog trimmer, who becomes infatuated with Tetsunoshin (much to the dog's chagrin) and has a passion for cross-dressing.
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:An Indian prince who travels on an elephant, even indoors. He does not share the monarchic traditions of his father and tries enjoy his new life in the Hills.
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Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the American division of Japanese conglomerate Sony
is a Japanese multinational conglomerate (company), cong ...
Mihimaru GT
Mihimaru GT were an urban and pop music group signed to Universal Music Japan and managed by Tearbridge Productions, a subsidiary of Stardust Promotion and Avex.
History
Mihimaru GT was a Japanese duet made up of composer, lyricist and vocali ...
(
Universal Music Japan
, often referred to as just Universal Music Japan or UMJ, is a Japanese subsidiary of the Universal Music Group founded in 1990. It is the largest subsidiary for a foreign company in Japan regarding music distribution. The company is responsible ...