Animo Launches New Serialized Manga 'Mamairo (Corp)' in Collaboration with Picture Book Author Naomi Ichiba
Animo Inc., a childcare and career support company, is launching a new serialized short manga 'Mamairo (Corp)' on April 27, 2026, targeting working mothers returning from maternity leave. Illustrated by picture book author Naomi Ichiba, it depicts workplace realities with gentle colors and animal characters.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 00:02 (5h 2m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 00:39 (37 min after Collected)
Bringing the warmth of picture books to the 'everyday workplace realities' of working mothers.
Animo Inc. (hereinafter Animo), which operates corporate-led childcare facilities and career support businesses nationwide, is pleased to announce the launch of a new serialized manga 'Mamairo (Corp)' starting April 27, 2026, in collaboration with picture book author Naomi Ichiba, who has garnered support for her unique worldview. This work is a new sensation serialized series centered on short comics while incorporating a page layout that carefully tracks the internal changes of the characters.
■ Overview of the Work
Title
'Mamairo (Corp)'
Catchphrase
To the me who wants to live authentically.
Author
Naomi Ichiba (Illustrator / Picture Book Author) / Planning & Original Story: Animo Inc.
Release Date
From Monday, April 27, 2026
Distribution Platform
Animo Official Website, Official SNS (Instagram/X)
Update Frequency
Updated every Monday at 8:00 AM
Target Audience
Mothers returning to work or returning from childcare leave, and anyone who feels difficulty in working
■ Background and Purpose
Since its founding, Animo has worked on providing childcare environments where working parents can leave their children with peace of mind, and career support businesses under the vision of 'devoting our hearts to creating a society where you can live authentically.'
What we repeatedly heard in the field was the 'invisible loneliness' of mothers after returning to work. Difficulty fitting into the team's circle due to shortened working hours, feeling awkward about sudden absences, wondering if they are producing results, struggling to raise self-esteem...
Animo chose to deliver these real struggles not as data, but as a 'story.'
By condensing the gentle colors unique to picture books and the distinctive 'pauses' conveyed by blank spaces that Ichiba possesses into the format of a short manga, we wanted to create a work that allows readers to casually 'remember themselves'—whether during a busy morning commute or a few minutes of a lunch break.
■ Story Setting
The setting is a small team called 'Mamairo' within an HR/career support company. This department, where employees returning from childcare and maternity leave gather, is a somewhat isolated presence in the company—but there is support that only they can provide because they are going through it. Although they don't have much budget or authority, the members, who know the reality of the frontlines better than anyone, eventually launch a project that moves the company.
The story's conclusion is the success of a project in the form of 'internal work-style reform' or 'acquiring a major client.' However, what is depicted even more is the process of the members, who almost lost themselves between work and childcare, gradually regaining their 'own colors.'
■ Characters
Protagonist
Chameleon Mom, Remi-san
She has adapted so much to the workplace atmosphere that she no longer knows her own color. When she gets tired, her body becomes transparent. Only the tip of her tail remains rainbow-colored.
Main
Tapir Mom, Bawa-san
A good listener who 'swallows up' all her colleagues' worries. What she wants to say remains stuffed deep inside her stomach. When she puts her dreams into words, her ribbon unties.
Main
Penguin Mom, Kurun-san
Has a strong sense of justice and can say 'this is wrong' to workplace unreasonableness. She gets tired trying to read the room, but she can swim faster than anyone in her field of expertise.
In addition, various human workplace dynamics are depicted with animal characters, such as the easygoing 'Sloth Dad', the 'Lion Dad' who is the king of beasts outside but timid at home, and the 'Rabbit Mom (new character)' who emphasizes time-performance and chases correct answers.
■ Highlights of the Work
Color beauty like a picture book
Visuals drawn with a soft touch like watercolor paintings, setting it apart from conventional workplace manga.
Emotions are told in 'color'
The protagonist Remi's body color is an emotion meter. By expressing everyday workplace situations through 'color changes,' feelings that cannot be put into words are visualized.
Balancing 'everyday workplace realities' x 'authenticity'
Depicting the realities of working moms—shortened hours, remote work, sudden absences, difficulty being evaluated—with humor and empathy, structured to leave a quiet courage after reading.
■ Comments from the Parties Involved
Illustrator / Picture Book Author, Naomi Ichiba
Until now, I have woven stories as single books, but this time, I am drawing with the feeling of gently greeting your daily life through the small window of a 'short manga.' The first time I drew the scene where Remi-san slowly becomes transparent at the workplace, I thought, 'Ah, this is a sensation I remember too.' I would be happy if this becomes a work where you can casually pause in the gaps of your busy everyday life.
Animo Inc. CEO, Noriko Hashimoto
'What color am I today?'- I have always wanted to deliver this question to working mothers nationwide. When I encountered Ms. Ichiba's art, I was convinced that there are people who cannot be reached without this warmth. Mamairo (Corp) is a manga, yet it embodies the philosophy of 'childcare of approval'—affirming you exactly as you are—that Animo has built up through its childcare business.
Animo Inc. (hereinafter Animo), which operates corporate-led childcare facilities and career support businesses nationwide, is pleased to announce the launch of a new serialized manga 'Mamairo (Corp)' starting April 27, 2026, in collaboration with picture book author Naomi Ichiba, who has garnered support for her unique worldview. This work is a new sensation serialized series centered on short comics while incorporating a page layout that carefully tracks the internal changes of the characters.
■ Overview of the Work
Title
'Mamairo (Corp)'
Catchphrase
To the me who wants to live authentically.
Author
Naomi Ichiba (Illustrator / Picture Book Author) / Planning & Original Story: Animo Inc.
Release Date
From Monday, April 27, 2026
Distribution Platform
Animo Official Website, Official SNS (Instagram/X)
Update Frequency
Updated every Monday at 8:00 AM
Target Audience
Mothers returning to work or returning from childcare leave, and anyone who feels difficulty in working
■ Background and Purpose
Since its founding, Animo has worked on providing childcare environments where working parents can leave their children with peace of mind, and career support businesses under the vision of 'devoting our hearts to creating a society where you can live authentically.'
What we repeatedly heard in the field was the 'invisible loneliness' of mothers after returning to work. Difficulty fitting into the team's circle due to shortened working hours, feeling awkward about sudden absences, wondering if they are producing results, struggling to raise self-esteem...
Animo chose to deliver these real struggles not as data, but as a 'story.'
By condensing the gentle colors unique to picture books and the distinctive 'pauses' conveyed by blank spaces that Ichiba possesses into the format of a short manga, we wanted to create a work that allows readers to casually 'remember themselves'—whether during a busy morning commute or a few minutes of a lunch break.
■ Story Setting
The setting is a small team called 'Mamairo' within an HR/career support company. This department, where employees returning from childcare and maternity leave gather, is a somewhat isolated presence in the company—but there is support that only they can provide because they are going through it. Although they don't have much budget or authority, the members, who know the reality of the frontlines better than anyone, eventually launch a project that moves the company.
The story's conclusion is the success of a project in the form of 'internal work-style reform' or 'acquiring a major client.' However, what is depicted even more is the process of the members, who almost lost themselves between work and childcare, gradually regaining their 'own colors.'
■ Characters
Protagonist
Chameleon Mom, Remi-san
She has adapted so much to the workplace atmosphere that she no longer knows her own color. When she gets tired, her body becomes transparent. Only the tip of her tail remains rainbow-colored.
Main
Tapir Mom, Bawa-san
A good listener who 'swallows up' all her colleagues' worries. What she wants to say remains stuffed deep inside her stomach. When she puts her dreams into words, her ribbon unties.
Main
Penguin Mom, Kurun-san
Has a strong sense of justice and can say 'this is wrong' to workplace unreasonableness. She gets tired trying to read the room, but she can swim faster than anyone in her field of expertise.
In addition, various human workplace dynamics are depicted with animal characters, such as the easygoing 'Sloth Dad', the 'Lion Dad' who is the king of beasts outside but timid at home, and the 'Rabbit Mom (new character)' who emphasizes time-performance and chases correct answers.
■ Highlights of the Work
Color beauty like a picture book
Visuals drawn with a soft touch like watercolor paintings, setting it apart from conventional workplace manga.
Emotions are told in 'color'
The protagonist Remi's body color is an emotion meter. By expressing everyday workplace situations through 'color changes,' feelings that cannot be put into words are visualized.
Balancing 'everyday workplace realities' x 'authenticity'
Depicting the realities of working moms—shortened hours, remote work, sudden absences, difficulty being evaluated—with humor and empathy, structured to leave a quiet courage after reading.
■ Comments from the Parties Involved
Illustrator / Picture Book Author, Naomi Ichiba
Until now, I have woven stories as single books, but this time, I am drawing with the feeling of gently greeting your daily life through the small window of a 'short manga.' The first time I drew the scene where Remi-san slowly becomes transparent at the workplace, I thought, 'Ah, this is a sensation I remember too.' I would be happy if this becomes a work where you can casually pause in the gaps of your busy everyday life.
Animo Inc. CEO, Noriko Hashimoto
'What color am I today?'- I have always wanted to deliver this question to working mothers nationwide. When I encountered Ms. Ichiba's art, I was convinced that there are people who cannot be reached without this warmth. Mamairo (Corp) is a manga, yet it embodies the philosophy of 'childcare of approval'—affirming you exactly as you are—that Animo has built up through its childcare business.