Mawaru Penguindrum (輪るピングドラム, Mawaru Pingudoramu) is a 24 episode long original 2011 Japanese anime series produced by studio Brain's Base. The series is directed and co-written by Kunihiko Ikuhara and broadcasted in Japan on July 8, 2011.
The novel version released before the anime. The novel is written by Ikuni Chouder, a pseudonym Ikuhara most likely use to hide his identity. Mawaru Penguindrum's novel released in 3 volumes, with the first volume covering the first 8 episodes of the anime.
The anime also debuts Miho Arakawa, who is voice casting the main heroine.
"Survival Strategy---!!"
The Takakura siblings were struck with misfortune when Kanba and Shoma Takakura witnessed the death of Himari, their youngest sister. However, Himari was miraculously revived by a strange spirit called the Princess of the Crystal, who resides in a mysterious hat bought as a souvenir.
In exchange for saving Himari's life, the Princess of the Crystal forcefully requests both Kanba and Shoma to search for an item called the Penguindrum with the assistance of three strange penguins.
Voice Actor: Subaru Kimura
The elder twin of the Takakura siblings. Kanba takes his duty to search for the Penguindrum seriously and will resort to dirty methods to obtain it, such as hacking and lock-picking. He is assumed to be a playboy as he is famous among the girls. Kanba also seem to harbor feelings for his sister as he is seen kissing her after her resurrection.
Shoma Takakura
Voice Actor: Ryouhei Kimura
The younger twin brother of the Takakura siblings. Sensitive in nature, he has doubts in his duty to obtain the Penguindrum but is willingly to do so for Himari. Plays the role of a gag character and narrator for the novel adaption.
Himari Takakura
Voice Actor: Miho Arakawa
The main heroine and the youngest among the Takakura siblings. Himari died from an unknown disease but was revived by a mysterious hat that claims to extend her life through unknown means. When possessed by the hat, she turned from her gentle, friendly and cheerful nature to an arrogant individual with a superiority complex.
Ringo Oginome
Voice Actor: Marie Miyake
Ringo was the first target for the Takakura twins to find the Penguindrum. Although she looks like an average schoolgirl, Ringo loves Keiju Tabuki to the point of obsession. She believes in fate in which she and Keiju are meant to be together. Ringo holds a diary which it is assumed to be the Penguindrum itself.
Keiju Tabuki
Voice Actor: Akira Ishida
Kanba and Shoma's homeroom teacher. Keiju is also the love target of Ringo Oginome, and is currently living with his fiancee, Mari Tokikago.
Mari Tokikago
Voice Actor: Mamiko Noto
A famous idol who Ringo dislikes due to the fact she is Keiju Yabuki's fiancee.
Masako Natsume
Voice Actor: Yui Horie
A strange woman who is usually seen around Kanba and holds a laser sighted slingshot that fires red balls which erases memories and also cause the victim to act in total eccentric manner. She serves as an antagonist to the show.
Sanetoshi Watase
Voice Actor :Yutaka Koizumi
A mysterious person claimed to be working at Central Library's Hole in the Sky branch. He seems to know about the characters, and everything that has happened up until now.
Penguin Trio
A group of mysterious penguins that are currently residing at the Takakura household. Penguin no. 1 spots a special feature on its eyebrows with a bandage on its cheek, Penguin no. 2 is a plain, normal penguin, while Penguin no. 3 is a female penguin with a ribbon at the right side of its head.
The details of these penguins are unknown and can only be seen by the Takakura siblings.
Princess of the Crystal
Voice Actor: Miho Arakawa
The spirit who resides in the mysterious hat and appears in this form whenever it possess Himari. The Princess of the Crystal seeks the Penguindrum and orders Kanba and Shoma to find it without giving any details. Her favorite phrase, "Survival Strategy" (生存戦略, Seizon Senryaku) became a wide spread meme as of current.
| Original Work | Ikuni Chouder |
|---|---|
| Original Story, Director | Kunihiko Ikuhara |
| Original Character Designer | Lily Hoshino |
| Series Director, Script | Kunihiko Ikuhara, Takayo Ikami |
| Character Designer | Terumi Nishii |
| Conceptual Design | Shouko Nakamura, Katsunori Shibata |
| Art | Kentaro Akiyama, Chieko Nakamura |
| Color Settings | Kunio Tsujita |
| Editing | Shigeru Nishiyama |
| Music | Yukari Hashimoto |
| Music Production | Star Child Records |
| Sound Director | Kunihiko Ikuhara, You Yamada |
| Sound Effects | Tomokazu Mitsui |
| Assistant Director | Mitsue Yamazaki |
| Series Director | Shouko Nakamura |
| Animation Studio | Brain's Base |
