The Second Phase of the New Project Depicting "Oshi" (Favorites), "Pai no Mi Oshi no Mori Project," is the First-Ever Anime Adaptation of Pai no Mi

Lotte Co., Ltd. (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Hideki Nakajima; hereinafter 'Lotte') has decided to adapt its long-selling brand 'Pai no Mi,' which has been loved for 48 years since its launch in 1979, into an anime for the first time in the brand's history as the second phase of the new project 'Pai no Mi Oshi no Mori Project.'

The 'Pai no Mi Oshi no Mori Project' is an initiative that further evolves the worldview of the 'Pai no Mi Forest,' which has been familiar through packages and picture books, by combining it with the modern 'Oshi-katsu' (supporting one's favorites) culture. In the first phase, we have carried out multifaceted developments such as a 64-episode 4-panel manga set in 'Oshi no Mori,' product packages, merchandise, and LINE stamps.

This time, the original animation 'Welcome to Pai no Mi Oshi no Mori!', featuring lovable characters unfolding in 'Oshi no Mori,' will be sequentially released on Lotte's official YouTube channel starting Thursday, June 4, 2026. We will deliver an original animation by teaming up strongly with Shin-Ei Animation, which handles many nationally popular works such as 'Doraemon' and 'Crayon Shin-chan,' and a gorgeous team of creators.

For the lead voice actors, we have appointed Yumiko Kobayashi, known for the role of Shinnosuke Nohara in 'Crayon Shin-chan,' and Rie Hikisaka, active as Cure Yell in 'HUGtto! PreCure.' Please enjoy the worldview of 'Oshi no Mori' brought to life by the gorgeous voice cast.

Special site: https://www.lotte.co.jp/products/brand/painomi/pienomioshinomori/

Yumiko Kobayashi, Shinnosuke Nohara in 'Crayon Shin-chan', and Rie Hikisaka, Cure Yell in 'PreCure', decided as lead voice actors! Other gorgeous voice actors gather to color unique characters

In this anime adaptation, Yumiko Kobayashi, known for the role of Shinnosuke Nohara in 'Crayon Shin-chan,' and Rie Hikisaka, active as Cure Yell in 'HUGtto! PreCure,' have been appointed as the lead voice actors. Furthermore, a lineup of talented voice actors will also voice the unique characters appearing in 'Oshi no Mori,' richly coloring the worldview of the work.

◆ Squirrel 'Pile' role: Yumiko Kobayashi

A voice actor known for the role of Shinnosuke Nohara in 'Crayon Shin-chan.'

She continues to play beloved characters in numerous anime works, fascinating a wide range of generations with her unique expressive power.

◆ Squirrel 'Roxy' role: Rie Hikisaka

A voice actor active as Cure Yell in 'HUGtto! PreCure' and others.

A talented actor who plays a wide range of characters with a transparent voice and rich expressive power.

◆ Work Overview

Title: Anime 'Welcome to Pai no Mi Oshi no Mori!'

Planning/Original Work: Lotte Co., Ltd.

Original Draft Production: Mankyu, Yuko Kakihara, Aya Matsui, Shin-Ei Animation

Director/Animation: Kazunori Minagawa, Miki Minagawa

Script: Yuko Kakihara, Azusa Serikawa

Music: Misaki Mase

Sound Director: Yuji Tange

Sound Production: Tohokushinsha

Animation Production: TOHO animation STUDIO

Planning: Lotte ('Let's Create!' Project)

©️LOTTE

Episode 1 Release: Thursday, June 4, 2026, 00:00

Release Frequency: Scheduled to release 1 episode every month

Number of Episodes: Total 8 episodes (planned)

Distribution: Sweetheart of Your Mouth Lotte [LOTTE] Official Channel

◆ Cast

Squirrel 'Pile' role: Yumiko Kobayashi

Squirrel 'Roxy' role: Rie Hikisaka

Bear 'Kumama' role: Akihiro Tajima

Raccoon 'Arai-san' role: Shun Kimeta

Cat 'Nemmy' role: Hana Tamegai

Fox 'Kitsu-neesan' role: Marie Oi

Skunk 'Boss' role: Shota Hayama

Rabbit 'Sagi-chan' role: Rina Honnizumi

Turtle 'Choro' role: Kosuke Echigoya

Squirrel 'Dongurina' role: Satsumi Matsuda

Rabbit 'Tantei' role: Hinata Tadokoro

'Welcome to Pai no Mi Oshi no Mori!' URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=019tI1mFQes

Why is 'Pai no Mi' being animated now in its 48th year?
From consumers' voices of 'wanting to know more' to a 'brand IP that makes you want to support it'

'Pai no Mi' is a long-selling brand that has been familiar to many fans since its launch in 1979. In recent years, the value consumers seek in products has expanded beyond just 'deliciousness' to emotional experiences such as empathy and support. In particular, modern Oshi-katsu has evolved into a 'means of self-expression' that speaks for one's feelings and ideals, and we believe that the enjoyment of expressing oneself through the worldview, rather than just tasting, is expanding for sweets as well. Actually, on SNS, we have received voices wanting to know the names of the squirrels and the worldview of the package, and we take this as a sign that people are feeling a connection with the story that goes beyond mere sweets. Because it is a brand with a high recognition rate of over 80% in Japan, we thought that by increasing attachment to the characters and making them an existence talked about as consumers' 'Oshi', it could evolve into a brand that is more deeply loved and makes people want to support it. Therefore, this time, we will give names, voices, and new stories to the characters who have been familiar on the package for many years, and vividly expand the world of 'Pai no Mi Forest' as an animation. Through unique characters, we will deliver a new brand experience that makes eating time a little more fun and makes you want to talk to someone about it. This project is a new challenge to evolve 'Pai no Mi', which is entering its 48th year, from a mere 'sweet to eat' to a 'brand IP that makes you want to support it' that stays close to daily life.

What is the 'Pai no Mi Oshi no Mori Project'?

'Pai no Mi' has long delivered to everyone the deliciousness of the exquisite balance of the crispy texture of freshly baked pie and chocolate. In recent years, not only the deliciousness but also the story of the Pai no Mi Forest, where the good friends squirrels 'Pile' and 'Roxy' appearing on the package are active, has been developed in packages and picture books and is very popular. Therefore, the Pai no Mi team started this project with the desire to have everyone enjoy it more, and has been exploring ways to increase the resolution of the story's worldview. New characters will appear one after another as friends of the forest, and through the world of Pai no Mi, we will propose the enjoyment of 'Oshi' to everyone.

Special site: https://www.lotte.co.jp/products/brand/painomi/pienomioshinomori/

◆ Project Phase 1 '4-Panel Manga'

As the first phase of the project, we are releasing two 4-panel mangas of 'Pai no Mi Oshi no Mori' overflowing with love for Pai no Mi every week at 17:00 on Wednesdays and Fridays on the official X. Characters also appear on the product package, and a product-limited 4-panel manga is also posted on the inner lid of the package. Please pay attention to Oshi no Mori both on the products and on SNS.

Special site: https://www.lotte.co.jp/products/brand/painomi/pienomioshinomori/

Disseminating information on the official X account: https://x.com/lotte_koalanomi

4-panel manga (example)

'Pai no Mi Numa-ka (Addiction) Plan' begins! Sequentially deploying 'addictive' experiences such as original songs and merchandise

The 'Pai no Mi Numa-ka Plan' is a project where you can touch the worldview at multiple contact points such as viewing experiences, music, and merchandise, starting from the anime release, in order to get you addicted through the 'Pai no Mi Oshi no Mori Project'. We will deliver an 'addictive' experience where interest in the characters and stories deepens continuously.

◆ 'Pai no Mi Numa-ka Plan' ①: Pai no Mi Song Production

We have produced the song 'Pai Shika Katan! Oshi no Mori-katsu' (Singing/Lyrics: Miyu Ambo / Composition/Arrangement: Misaki Mase) scheduled to be used in the anime, and you can enjoy the worldview of 'Oshi no Mori' through music as well.

Singing/Lyrics: Miyu Ambo

An actor active as an Oha-Kids on TV Tokyo's 'Oha Suta'.

With a fresh singing voice and expressive power utilizing her special skill of singing, she brightly colors the worldview of 'Oshi no Mori'.

Comment from Miyu Ambo:

I love sweets, so when I received the offer to write lyrics and sing for 'Pai no Mi', which I have eaten since I was little, I was surprised and very happy at the same time!

It was my first time writing lyrics, so I was anxious, but an exciting song packed with many thoughts about Pai no Mi was completed♪ I would be happy if you could pay attention to the lyrics that incorporate a lot of such love for sweets♪

It's a fun song that makes you want to eat! Dance! Hum along!

Please listen to it a lot.

Composition/Arrangement/Lyrics: Misaki Mase

A composer and arranger who handles theme songs for 'Tropical-Rouge! PreCure' and others.

A talented artist who provides songs in a wide range of genres and expands the world of works with music.

Comment from Misaki Mase:

I am very happy to be able to make an Oshi song for Pai no Mi, which I often eat as a companion for production! Ms. Ambo's singing and lyrics also make my heart bounce with excitement.

The ASMR 'crunch' was recorded by me eating a lot of Pai no Mi. It was very delicious!!

I hope you will enjoy the sweets, the animation, and this song.

Song Overview

Title: 'Pai Shika Katan! Oshi no Mori-katsu'

Singing/Lyrics: Miyu Ambo

Composition/Arrangement: Misaki Mase

Distribution Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026, 00:00

Distribution Media: Apple Music, Spotify, etc.

* The distribution URL is scheduled to be announced on the official X account after Thursday, June 4: https://x.com/lotte_koalanomi

℗＆© 2026 TOHO MUSIC CORPORATION

◆ 'Pai no Mi Numa-ka Plan' ②: 'Experiential Collaboration with Karaoke Pasela'

An experiential collaboration where you can enjoy the worldview of the anime 'Pai no Mi' inside the store will be held at target Karaoke Pasela stores. In addition to providing original collaboration menus featuring characters and stories as motifs, we will create opportunities to touch the worldview of 'Oshi no Mori' even after watching the anime through tabletop 4-panel POPs and novelty gifts for ordering.

- Implementation period: Thursday, June 4, 2026 - Monday, September 7, 2026

- Implementing stores: Karaoke Pasela Shinjuku Main Store, Shibuya Store, Yokohama Kannai Store, Namba Dotonbori Store, and others, 11 stores in total

* Limited quantities at each store

- URL: https://paselabo.pasela.co.jp/collaboration/8122/

Original Collaboration Menu

We will deploy limited menus inspired by characters and the world of the work, such as 'Legendary Pai no Mi Tree Petit Honey Toast', 'Kumama's Petit Plate', and 'Pile's Mistake! Mille-feuille Parfait'. Through visually fun menus, we provide an experience where you can enjoy the worldview of 'Oshi no Mori' while eating.

Original Collaboration Menu Order Bonus

For each collaboration menu ordered, one Pai no Mi sticker will be presented. It is a sticker containing all 19 types on one sheet, adding Karaoke Pasela's characters 'Honeyton' & 'Chocolan' to the 'Oshi no Mori' characters.

◆ 'Pai no Mi Numa-ka Plan' ③: Release of Goods for Fans

The residents of 'Oshi no Mori', such as Pile and Roxy who have become madly in love with the charm of Pai no Mi, have become merchandise. They will be available from Movic at Animate stores nationwide, Animate mail order, Movic mail order, and others.

Reservation URL: https://www.movic.jp/shop/r/r1026ag/

* Goods scheduled to be posted: Friday, July 24, Time undecided

◆ 'Pai no Mi Numa-ka Plan' ④: Announcement Video Before Movie Theater Screenings

From Friday, June 12, 2026, an anime announcement video for Pai no Mi will be broadcast for a limited time before the screening of some works at 66 TOHO Cinemas theaters nationwide.

'Pai no Mi Oshi no Mori' Goods and Digital Contents are Being Deployed One After Another!

◆ Character Goods (Acrylic Keychains, Pass Cases, etc.)

Goods with cute designs that are easy for everyday use, produced by Sync Innovation Co., Ltd., which plans, manufactures, and sells character goods, have appeared.

- URL: https://www.vvit.jp/

◆ Smartphone Cases (6 designs in total, compatible with over 160 models)

A total of 6 designs, including designs centered on the squirrels 'Pile' and 'Roxy', and fun designs that make you want to eat Pai no Mi, are deployed for over 160 models such as iPhone/Xperia/Pixel/Galaxy.

- URL: https://caseplay.shop/pages/painomi-01?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=release&utm_campaign=painomi-01-f

◆ LINE Stamps / Themes

LINE stamps and themes that allow you to enjoy the characters of 'Oshi no Mori' even in everyday conversations are also being distributed favorably.

- LINE Stamp: 100 LINE Coins (Stamp Shop) / 250 yen (LINE STORE)

- Purchase URL: https://line.me/S/sticker/33374511

- LINE Theme: 150 LINE Coins (Theme Shop) / 370 yen (LINE STORE)

- Purchase URL: https://line.me/S/shop/theme/detail?id=88f38de8-81e1-475f-bfc0-9a7580d1da5e

Thoughts the Brand Manager Puts into This Anime Adaptation

Marketing Headquarters, First Brand Strategy Department, Baked Sweets Planning Section

Yuki Kubota

Pai no Mi is a brand that has been familiar to many customers for 48 years. On the other hand, in recent years, opportunities to receive voices through SNS such as 'Do the squirrels on the package have names?' and 'I want to know more about the Pai no Mi Forest' have increased. We believe that the charm of Pai no Mi lies not only in its deliciousness but also in its worldview that somehow makes you feel a story. Therefore, this time, we will give names, voices, and wonderful stories breathed into