San-X Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) announces that the anime "Rilakkuma" by Production I.G began broadcasting on TBS from 9:25 AM on Saturday, April 4th, and that new character information has been unveiled after the broadcast of anime "Rilakkuma" #1.
The new characters are "Awawa Neko," a cat with a cat-shaped appliqué on its stomach, and "Yobee," a bipedal seal. Along with this, introductions to the new characters will also be released.
Furthermore, the theme song "stay with me" for the anime "Rilakkuma" by Ikuta Lilas has been released for digital distribution starting today.
New Characters Announced! Their Names Are "Awawa Neko" and "Yobee"!
New Character Introductions Also Unveiled!
Awawa Neko
Popular streamer and video creator for gourmet & travel.
Can go anywhere alone and is independent.
But tends to get flustered (awawa) by unexpected events.
A cat in a costume with a cat-shaped appliqué on its stomach.
Its charm point is its fluffy tail, like bubbles.
Yobee
A wobbly bipedal seal.
Drifts around seeking warmth,
and seems to appear in various places before you know it.
"stay with me," the Theme Song by Ikuta Lilas, is Available for Digital Distribution Starting Today!
The digital release of "stay with me," a new song written by Ikuta Lilas herself as the theme song for the anime "Rilakkuma," has begun today. Please enjoy it along with the newly drawn "Rilakkuma" illustration by Masami Hata, who directed the first part of the anime.
Song Information
Digital Release: Saturday, April 4, 2026
Ikuta Lilas "stay with me"
Lyrics/Composition: Ikuta Lilas
Arrangement: KOHD
Pre-save/Distribution Link: https://orcd.co/swm
Basic Work Information
Broadcast and Distribution Information
TV Broadcast
Currently broadcasting on TBS from 9:25 AM on Saturday, April 4th.
Also being broadcast sequentially on other TBS network stations.
Tulip TV
From 9:25 AM on Saturday, April 4th
Hokuriku Broadcasting
From 6:58 PM on Saturday, April 11th
San-in Broadcasting
From 4:18 PM on Monday, April 13th
i-TV
From 4:50 PM on Friday, April 10th, broadcast within "Waiwai! Friday"
RKB Mainichi Broadcasting
From 7:28 AM on Saturday, April 18th
Nagasaki Broadcasting
From 9:25 AM on Saturday, April 4th
Kumamoto Broadcasting
From 5:25 AM on Saturday, April 18th
Minaminihon Broadcasting
From 12:54 PM on Sunday, April 12th
Ryukyu Broadcasting
From 5:45 AM on Saturday, April 18th
Unlimited Streaming
Available for streaming on various platforms every Saturday from 9:30 AM, starting Saturday, April 4th.
ABEMA Premium
Amazon Prime Video
DMM TV
d Anime Store
d Anime Store for Prime Video
d Anime Store Niconico Branch
Hulu
Lemino
U-NEXT
WOWOW On Demand
Anime Hodai
Bandai Channel
J:COM STREAM
milplus
TELASA
Free Streaming
Available for free streaming on various platforms and social media every Saturday from 9:30 AM, starting Saturday, April 4th.
TBS FREE
Limited time catch-up distribution for 1 week
TVer
Limited time catch-up distribution for 1 week
YouTube
Limited time catch-up distribution for 2 weeks
X
Limited time catch-up distribution for 1 week
Limited time catch-up distribution for 1 week
TikTok
Limited time catch-up distribution for 1 week
ABEMA
Limited time catch-up distribution for 1 week
～Introduction～
Rilakkuma, always with you every day,
now leaps out of everyday life into a gently expanding animated world.
A moment that makes your heart feel light and fluffy.
Wherever you are, whatever you're doing,
Rilakkuma is by your side.
A new and exciting story begins to unfold.
In Spring 2026, please come and meet Rilakkuma!
Staff
Narration: Ikuta Lilas
Original Work: San-X
Director: Masami Hata (Part 1), Yumi Kamakura (Part 2)
Character Design: Chiyo Morita
Art Director: Suzuna Yamasaki
Art: Studio Fuga
Color Design: Mayumi Sato
Director of Photography: Takahiro Okumura
Editor: Junichi Uematsu
Sound Director: Hiromi Kikuta
Music: Kota Yokozeki, Yoshiya Ikeda, Mizuki Kanno
Music Production: Legendoor
Animation Producer: Keiko Matsushita
Animation Production: Production I.G
Theme Song
"stay with me"
Artist: Ikuta Lilas
Lyrics/Composition: Ikuta Lilas
Arrangement: KOHD
Official Rilakkuma Anime
Official Anime Website: https://www.rilakkuma-anime.com/
Official Anime X: https://x.com/rilakkuma_anime
Anime Adaptation Announcement PV: https://youtu.be/ogHlRozpQ_U?si=GCgx6RdntyJtvgPL
1st PV: https://youtu.be/rV-fcFL5vtU
Official Rilakkuma
Official Website: https://www.san-x.co.jp/rilakkuma/
Official X: https://x.com/rilakkuma_gyr
Copyright
(C)SAN-X / Team Rilakkuma
About San-X（https://www.san-x.co.jp/company/） San-X continues to create over 1,000 100% original characters, including Rilakkuma, Sumikko Gurashi, and Tarepanda, and delivers their mysterious charm to the world through original products, licensing businesses, various events, promotions, and videos. Their characters are cute in appearance but also have a surreal humor that brings a chuckle, and a kindness that embraces and stays close to your heart. San-X characters, who are more than just cute, attract many people.
*San-X Official HP: https://www.san-x.co.jp/
©SAN-X / Team Rilakkuma
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: product_launch