Manufacturing brand Dreams has officially announced that its popular posture-support plush line, Funbarus, will be transformed into an original short anime series debuting on October 3. The project presents an intriguing experimental production methodology, relying on a 2D and AI hybrid pipeline that combines traditional hand-drawn key frames and storyboards with 3D CG and artificial intelligence algorithms to build completed animation sequences.
Sloth Daydreams & Voice Cast
The story follows Nossori, a hardworking sloth who spends his days supporting humans while eavesdropping on their everyday conversations. These overheard chats launch Nossori into wildly creative daydreams. Voice actor Wataru Komada stars as Nossori, alongside Kōtarō Nishiyama as the energetic monkey Montan and Sayuri Hara as the dependable rabbit Hop.
The extended voice cast includes Kenta Miyake as Brownie the Bear, Kento Shiraishi as Pentan the Penguin, Hayato Kimura as Shaomaru the Panda, comedian Ai as Johnny the Duck, and Hiroaki Tajiri as Zūzū the Koala. Additional roles feature Kōki Miyata, Mitsuhiro Sakamaki, Nanami Yamashita, Madoka Asahina, and narrator Shiho Hisajima.
Production Staff & Theme Song
Director Kazumi Nonaka (Hana Kappa, ATASHIn'CHI Next) heads the production at studio MI Co., working from scripts crafted by Takeshi Takemura. Soundtrack composition is led by Ryu Kawasaki (Yu-Gi-Oh! Go Rush!!), while talent agency 81 Produce presents the overall project. Hip-hop unit Ketsumeishi provides the featured image song titled Kimi ni BUMP.
The two-minute short episodes will premiere on October 3 on BS Yoshimoto, followed by a Tokyo MX broadcast on October 5. First launched in 2023, the physical Funbarus toys are designed to sit between a user's stomach and desk to promote healthy seating posture.
