Cuter Together: Celebrating My Melody and Kuromi's Anniversaries in Stop-Motion Delight Sponsored

This summer, My Melody & Kuromi arrived on Netflix and quickly captured hearts worldwide. This stop-motion series featuring Sanrio's popular characters celebrates two milestones: My Melody and Kuromi's 50th and 20th anniversaries. True to the anniversary theme of "Cuter Together," the show follows these beloved characters on adventures that explore the many sides of kawaii.

Directed by Tomoki Misato — the creative mind behind the stop-motion hit Pui Pui Molcar — the series immerses viewers in a richly textured, cinematic stop-motion world.

Working together closely, Shuhei Yamada, Executive Manager of Sanrio's Design Division, helped shape a production that remains true to the characters while revealing new layers to their personalities. In an interview, the two shared insights into the creative process behind this acclaimed work.

Welcome to Mariland

The story unfolds in Mariland, a pastel-hued world brimming with picturesque happiness. My Melody runs a cheerful sweets shop alongside her friends, Flat the mouse and My Sweet Piano the sheep. Across the street, Kuromi operates a Japanese confectionery shop, though hers is often quieter than My Melody's bustling storefront. Kuromi's competitive streak adds a little spark — and tension — to the story.

But the adventure truly begins when My Melody discovers a mysterious "heart" in the forest, transporting her to Cloud Kingdom. When this discovery threatens Mariland itself, My Melody, Kuromi, and their friends step up to face each challenge side by side.

Pushing the Limits of Stop Motion

The series also surprises viewers with its fast-paced sequences — a contrast to the careful, deliberate movements often associated with stop-motion. 

"Thanks to Netflix's scale, I could challenge myself to make it cinematic," Misato explains. "We added action sequences, sweeping camera angles, even a car chase. A newly developed rotating XYZ-axis camera stand let us capture smooth, dynamic shots."

The result is an energetic, fluid viewing experience. Scenes unfold from multiple angles, leaving viewers captivated by the movement and intricacy.

This emphasis on motion also gives the series a universal appeal. As Misato notes, "The appeal of movement transcends language." While the series is available with subtitles and dubbing, its greatest strength lies in visual storytelling. "We made sure to focus on body language, gestures, and the smallest details."

Creative Synergy

"It was a true honor to work with My Melody and Kuromi, characters loved around the world," Misato said. "At the same time, I felt the pressure of creating something that fans would truly enjoy."

Filming 12 stop-motion episodes is a herculean task — especially when capturing the charm of the Sanrio world. Misato might not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking of Sanrio's kawaii aesthetic, as his works often explore darker, psychological themes. But that contrast made him ideal for portraying the nuances of the protagonists' personalities.

Misato emphasized that he didn't want the series to be "just cute." He explained, "Cute characters doing cute things can become predictable. But watching them overcome challenges brings out a deeper kind of charm."

Sanrio's Yamada recalled his reaction when he learned Misato would direct: "I was really excited and curious — if a director who works on those kinds of projects took on our cute characters, what kind of synergy might emerge?"

A Deeper Connection

The dynamic between My Melody and Kuromi is especially engaging because of their contrasting personalities. My Melody is gentle, easygoing, and unhurried, driven by a simple wish: to make sweets that bring smiles to others. (She even coined a unique expression that she uses when taking a nap — "take a small sleep" — which later became a trend on Japanese social media.)

Kuromi, by contrast, is fiery and quick-thinking. She sees My Melody as a rival, but she also shows surprising leadership when the situation calls for it.

As the story unfolds, viewers get to explore the emotional depth of both characters. My Melody experiences sadness when she realizes her kindness can sometimes hurt others, while Kuromi's envy masks a deeper longing to connect. This layering makes them more relatable than ever — and only strengthens fans' affection for them.

Characters in Stop-Motion

Translating Sanrio's iconic characters into stop-motion required painstaking attention to detail. For the project, most figures were made of wool felt, while My Melody and Kuromi's hoods were crafted in silicone to remain soft and flexible to express a variety of emotions. 

Misato recalled: "Sanrio worked with us from the very beginning, supervising every detail — from fabric textures to eye-to-mouth proportions."

At the same time, Yamada ensured the production team had creative freedom: "Instead of meticulously checking every scene, I focused on sharing the intent behind our choices. That way, the crew could self-supervise and animate authentically."

Misato also immersed himself in Sanrio's world, studying merchandise and flipping through Strawberry News, Sanrio's monthly magazine. This research gave the stop-motion versions a lived-in authenticity that resonated with longtime fans.

The results moved even Sanrio's internal team. Yamada recalls: "When our designers saw the finished animation, they were truly impressed. Seeing My Melody shed tears or Kuromi wrestle with jealousy — these are sides we don't normally see. Stop-motion allowed us to portray the emotions behind their usual smiles."

For Sanrio, the series revealed the characters' backstory — the moments and struggles that merchandise alone doesn't capture. Yamada reflects: "Stop-motion gave us a way to show the background behind those smiles — the challenges and emotions that make them meaningful."

Kawaii in the Details

Visually, My Melody & Kuromi is a feast for the eyes. Mariland feels warm and tangible: trees are wrapped in soft fabric, fountains sparkle with beads, and every surface seems almost touchable.

Confectionery plays a central role, and even the tiniest sweets are meticulously handmade. Kuromi's shop, for example, sells traditional Japanese confections crafted with incredible attention to detail.

Another charming touch is the characters' clothes. "We brought in a costume designer to create everything — from hair accessories to outfits — ensuring a high level of quality," Misato said. A standout is Kuromi's striped kimono, proudly worn during a sweets contest.

Cuter Together

Misato's technical mastery highlights what truly makes My Melody & Kuromi special — the relationships between the characters. Resonating with Sanrio's vision of "One World, Connecting Smiles," the characters are seen working together through their differences.

One of Misato's favorite scenes is when Kuromi comforts a downhearted My Melody as they walk together toward the same goal. "That scene really moves me. It captures the essence of respect and empathy between opposites," he recalled.

Yamada agrees: "Kindness isn't one-sided — it only exists because of mutual respect. Kuromi may initially seem mean, but we gradually see that many of her actions are actually her awkward way of reaching out. Their relationship shows that empathy is born from understanding both sides."

This friendship extends beyond the main cast. Original characters created for this series are also introduced, each with their own whimsical personality. Like little Easter eggs, viewers find themselves spotting new details and characters in every episode, adding depth to the world.

A Work for Everyone

For Misato, the greatest success is that My Melody & Kuromi welcomes all audiences: "We created something that satisfies longtime fans but also appeals to people new to Sanrio. There's action, bravery, laughter, and emotional depth. It's designed for all ages, genders, and nationalities."

Yamada encourages viewers to savor the series: "You can watch it once for the story, again to admire the characters, and yet again to notice the details — to see what's happening behind the scenes. There's so much to discover and enjoy."

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Netflix series My Melody & Kuromi is now streaming only on Netflix.

This article is published in cooperation with Sanrio Company Ltd. All Sanrio characters and character images: ©️ 2025 SANRIO CO., LTD.

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Author: Miruka Adachi