Gakken

The beloved illustrated encyclopedia series from Gakken, known for its relaxed four-panel comics that everyone can enjoy, is now getting a TV anime adaptation. Explore surprising insights and entertaining trivia about living creatures—filled with secrets bound to make you exclaim, "Amazing!" Delight in this fresh type of anime that turns even frightening subjects into something fun and accessible, thanks to its adorable art style.

A series of stop motion fairytales by Gakken.

Kokoro no Hanataba follows an elderly man who roams the town, sowing seeds in the hope of cultivating a beautiful flower for his beloved granddaughter.

A comedic tale about a haunted room.

An educational anime about Hans Dürer.

An educational film about playground bullying.

These DVD sets contain a series of moral stories designed for children. Every disc includes additional reading materials, making them ideal for classroom use.

An educational film about traffic safety.

An educational anime about the importance of life.

An educational film about environmentalism.

Haha Uzura is an educational anime that explores the value of life. During a hunting trip, a boy and his father encounter a situation where the boy accidentally shoots a quail, and they then discover a nest of chicks nearby.

Poetry of Kaneko Misuzu read while descriptive animations play in the background.

A pure hearted boy becomes friends with a dragon that people are afraid of.

Giulio stays up late addressing envelopes to reduce his father's workload from a part-time job, leading to daytime exhaustion that creates issues at home and with his teacher. Caught between wanting to support his dad and the toll it takes on his schoolwork, Giulio faces his father's anger over his declining grades while trying to conceal that he is overworking himself. Believing his father's health matters more than his own feelings—even if it causes more conflict—Giulio keeps working at night. One night, a cat tips over the address book, waking his father and revealing Giulio's secret, which leaves his father in tears.

A woman ascends to the summit of Kumotori mountain to witness the sunrise. The magnificent view triggers memories of her difficult childhood.

An educational film about town planning and factoring the opinion of the elderly as they have lived there the longest.

A Gakken version of the Robinson Crusoe.

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An educational film about Yukichi Fukuzawa who helped head the Meiji Restoration after Japan's 200 year isolation.

Based on the picture book "Jigoku no Soubee," the story follows four deceased souls who must use their unique abilities to escape from hell and reach paradise.

Inamura no Hi (1989) tells the true story of the 1854 Nankai earthquake and the tsunami that followed. Five samurai from the village saw the oncoming wave and urgently tried to warn their community to evacuate, but most people ignored them. As a final measure, they set fire to stacks of threshed rice, making the villagers believe their vital crop was ablaze. Since the rice harvest was crucial for survival, the villagers rushed to the fields to extinguish the flames. This plan succeeded: when the tsunami struck, it destroyed the lower villages but spared those who had fled to higher ground.

The film is intended to showcase methods for managing extremely active children within a classroom environment. Although it is not stated outright, Tomoko-chan likely has ADHD, mild autism, or a combination of the two—which results in her being more hyperactive than her peers.

An educational film about childhood obesity in Japan.

Adapted from Miura Ayako's novel, this story follows Nagano Nobuo from his childhood in Tokyo through a profound journey of self-discovery and conversion to Christianity, ending with his death at Shiokari Pass in Hokkaido.

Tabi no Kisetsu is an educational film that deals with overcoming moral failings. The narrative follows a poor young boy who repeatedly cheats an elderly woman selling daifuku-mochi, tricking her out of her money. Over time, his feelings of guilt build until he decides to set things right by giving back everything he stole. But when he goes to apologize, he discovers that the woman has recently passed away.

A red Oni wants to become friends with the villagers but is finding it hard because a blue Oni is terrorizing them.

An educational film about traffic safety staring Hanamaru.

This educational film focuses on Tokugawa Iemitsu, the grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who founded the Tokugawa shogunate and ended the Sengoku period through his victory. Iemitsu is most famous for his isolationist policies, intended to protect Japan from foreign influence—a strategy known as Sakoku. These measures kept Japan secluded for roughly two centuries, until the Meiji period when the nation was compelled to reopen its borders. At that point, Japan found itself significantly落后于世界其他地区在经济、政治、工业、科学和文化方面。

An educational film about premature baldness. Specifically aimed at children balding.

During a storm, a wanderer seeks shelter and knocks on a family's door. The household refuses entry, anxious about complications involving their ill daughter. Sympathizing with their plight, the wanderer hands over medicine. Shortly thereafter, a doctor arrives and confirms that this remedy is exactly what the girl needs. After taking it, she recovers fully. Filled with regret over their earlier lack of hospitality, the family vows to welcome the wanderer should he ever return. Yet the wanderer was never seen again.

In Yuurei Yashiki, a U.S. ambassador moves his family into an old castle, only to discover that Simon—a ghost condemned to three hundred years of suffering for a past offense—haunts the place. In spite of the supernatural resident, the family keeps their cheerful attitude and interacts with the spirit. The father gives Simon a present, the sons enjoy pillow fights and pranks, and the daughter, Virginia, offers him kindness and forgiveness. These friendly gestures baffle Simon, who is accustomed to being feared and loathed.

An educational film about the independence of children.

An educational film on music theory aimed at elementary school-aged children.

Hikoichi and Osato are selling their harvested watermelons in front of the castle when they encounter a chief counselor named Chuemon. Chuemon is at a loss because a messenger from a neighboring country has presented him with an unreasonable demand, and he is seeking a wise and intelligent person to assist him. Hikoichi agrees to help on the condition that Chuemon buys all the watermelons if Hikoichi succeeds in a battle of wits. Using his cleverness and unconventional methods, Hikoichi turns seemingly impossible problems into solvable ones. This drama unfolds rhythmically, driven by wisdom and courage. This film won the Gold Award at the Tokyo Educational Film Competition.

A historical instructional anime centered on three famous military commanders of the Sengoku period: Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Gakken no Zunou Kaihatsu Video is an educational OVA series designed to teach various subjects to preschool and kindergarten children. The series includes episodes such as "Nakayoku Dekiru yo," which focuses on the value of playing cooperatively with others, and "Wakuwaku ABC," which introduces the English alphabet. Although eighteen VHS tapes were originally planned, only seventeen were eventually animated. The sole exception, "Wakuwaku Eigo Game," was produced as a live-action show featuring actual Western children.

In the classroom, Goi-sensei is the only teacher who addresses Tarou using an honorific. This bothers Tarou because his name is unique in the class, making the honorific feel unnecessary. During winter break, Goi-sensei is hospitalized, and Tarou visits him. At that time, Tarou learns the reason behind the teacher’s special way of speaking to him.

A stop-motion puppet animation adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson's Thumbelina.

The educational short "Kitsune to Budou" explores the importance of planning ahead through the story of a young fox who wants to eat grapes from a newly planted vine. Though his mother warns him, he does not initially grasp her meaning, but the fox gradually learns the value of patience. When he later returns to where the small vine once stood, he discovers a vigorous vine heavy with fruit. Reflecting on his mother's wisdom, the fox understands that his earlier impatience would have ruined the vine, thereby costing him the abundant harvest he now enjoys.

Within Animal Village, numerous roads bustling with vehicles have been constructed. To ensure the safety of all residents, various traffic regulations have been established.

A stop-motion adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson's The Nightingale.

In Hoshigari Hime no Bouken, the overindulged princess Katharine gets turned into a normal girl through a Witch's spell. She then has to acclimate to life with everyday villagers and grow accustomed to their uncomplicated existence. This film was created as a joint project between Japan's Central Council for Financial Services Information and the Public Relations Department of the Bank of Japan.

A biographical anime about Mother Teresa.

Nogiku no Haka is an educational film that delves into themes of love and respect. Cousins Tamiko, age 17, and Masao, age 15, were raised together like siblings. As they grow older, they develop a desire to marry each other. However, their relationship faces resistance when Tamiko's sister-in-law, driven by jealousy, attempts to separate them by forcing Tamiko into an arranged marriage with another man.

In this stop-motion animation, two sisters are shown carrying out their everyday chores. During one of these tasks, one sister accidentally knocks a bucket into a well and leaps in after it, only to be magically whisked away to a magical world. In this enchanted realm, she assists various creatures and is granted prizes for her kind deeds. After she returns home, her sister becomes envious and chooses to undertake the same adventure. But driven by selfishness, she refuses to help others and acts rudely throughout her trip.

An educational film on set theory targeted at elementary school-aged children.

An educational film about traffic safety.

Inspired by a Norwegian folktale, this narrative follows Hans, a baker whose efforts are repeatedly thwarted when the North Wind blows his flour away. Seeking recompense, Hans travels to the North Wind's stronghold. There, he receives a magical tablecloth that produces endless banquets. However, a cunning innkeeper tricks Hans and steals the cloth. Undeterred, Hans returns to the North Wind and obtains a sheep that drops gold coins, only to have it stolen again by the same innkeeper. On his third trip, Hans is given a rod designed by the North Wind to reveal the thief. When the innkeeper attempts another deception, the rod exposes his guilt, resulting in the innkeeper's punishment and the recovery of Hans' belongings. With his magical items reclaimed, Hans goes back home to his mother.

A stop-motion film about the classic Japanese tale of Momotarou.

A hunter once attempted to capture numerous ducks, but the ducks transported him to a remote village. This puppet-animated film is based on a folk tale of the same name.

A young girl, inspired by Leo Tolstoy's take on The Big Dipper, travels from her drought-ridden village to obtain water for her ill mother.

A young boy lives with his grandfather, a World War II survivor, in a modest home. When a letter arrives by mail, the grandfather becomes deeply emotional and tells the story of a message sent long ago by his friend.

A classic Japanese folktale follows a kindhearted old man, his greedy wife, and a wounded sparrow that they take in. The narrative examines the impact of avarice, the value of companionship, and the corrosive force of jealousy upon those caught up in the story.

The Japanese folk tale Omusubi Kororin centers on an honest old man whose rice ball rolls into a hole, and that hole leads to a village of kind field mice.

An adaptation of the classic Japanese "Red Oni, Blue Oni" tale.

A puppet animation adaptation of the Grimm fairy tale "The Elves and the Shoemaker."

An adaptation of the folk tale The Little Red Hen, this story centers on a squirrel and departs from the conventional moral that those who do not help are not rewarded. In this telling, even the animals that did not take part in making the bread are permitted to eat it.

A retelling of Miyazawa Kenji's story of The Acorns and the Wildcat.

An adaptation of Mimei Ogawa's short story. On a night with a lovely full moon, an optician called on an elderly woman living by herself in a house just outside of town. Because she had grown older and her vision had deteriorated, she purchased a pair of large-rimmed glasses crafted from tortoise shell.

A puppet animation adaptation of the Grimm fairy-tale "Town Musicians of Bremen".

This story offers a fresh take on the classic Kasa Jizou folktale, in which statues of Jizou reward an elderly couple for placing hats (kasa) on them during a snowfall.

This adaptation of the classic White Elephant story by Matsue Jinbo follows a compassionate white elephant who is deceived into assisting an individual, leading to a group eventually coming back to capture the elephant.

Legend holds that prior to the construction of the Ao no Doumon tunnel, worshippers had to scale the cliffs the tunnel now passes through in order to reach a significant local shrine. The route was extremely hazardous, and people frequently fell to their deaths. During the Edo period, a Buddhist monk named Zenkai, who had taken a life earlier in his life, resolved to create a secure path for pilgrims as penance for his crime. Starting at the age of 49, he devoted three decades to excavating the 185-meter tunnel entirely by hand, armed only with a hammer and chisel.

Puppet animated film based on the Aesop fable of the same name.

An stop-motion puppet animation adaptation of The Ugly Duckling Hans Christian Andersen story.

A long time ago, an Indian princess dreamt of a golden deer with a beautiful singing voice. After witnessing the king's treatment of the matter, a boy sets a trap in the mountains. However, upon seeing what the trapped deer has done for its friends, he decides to release the deer. The 24th Tokyo Educational Film Contest Silver Prize.

This educational film aims to teach young audiences the value of money and why financial planning is essential. It is part of a series produced with the cooperation of Japan's Central Council for Financial Services Information and the Bank of Japan Public Relations Department.

A stop-motion film adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid.

An educational film designed for children, focusing on the importance of understanding money and the repercussions of excessive consumption. This video is part of a series developed in partnership with Japan's Central Council for Financial Services Information and the Bank of Japan Public Relations Department.

When the flower seller's daughter reveals her beautiful heart, a guitar starts playing on its own. This stop-motion animation from Gakken Eigakyoku received the Gold Prize at the 1959 Tokyo Educational Film Festival.

Jiang arrives at his family's traditional cherry blossom viewing spot. However, the area is littered with trash. Reluctantly, he sits down to have his lunch when a mysterious creature plummets from the sky! The creature's name is Kororin. He hails from the Star Oasis and has come to use his ESP to educate people about the significance of environmental awareness. Jiang, his sister, and Kororin must fight against Syndrome, a malevolent alien scheming to destroy Earth. This destruction is typically carried out through some environmental crisis like punching a hole in the ozone layer, altering the weather, or excessive electricity consumption, among other methods.

A Gakken version of the Haha wo Tazunete Sanzenri.

A retelling of Victor Hugo's crime from Les Misérables.

A stop-motion adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen.

The story of Toshishun is based on Ryuunosuke Akutagawa's adaptation of the classic Chinese tale Tu Tze-chun. In this narrative, a young man stumbles upon a hidden treasure, which allows him to accumulate great wealth. Before long, however, he squanders all his riches through a life of extravagance and excess. Akutagawa, regarded as the "father of Japanese short stories," has his name attached to Japan's most prestigious literary award, the Akutagawa Prize.

Long ago, two brothers named Umihiko and Yamahiko lived together. The elder brother, Umihiko, supported himself by fishing in the sea, while the younger, Yamahiko, hunted birds and game in the mountains for sustenance. One day, Yamahiko proposed to Umihiko, "Let's swap our tools and experience each other's livelihoods." Umihiko was hesitant at first, but eventually gave in when Yamahiko kept insisting on the idea. Unfortunately, the following day turned dangerous because neither brother was skilled in the other's craft. Umihiko hurt his arm, and Yamahiko lost the fishing hook. Umihiko grew furious over the loss of his treasured hook, which he could not replace even after his arm healed. From that point onward, Yamahiko strives to make amends for his mistake.

This is an adaptation of the classic Japanese folk tale "Saru Kani Gassen." The story centers on two main characters: a crab and a monkey. By chance, the crab finds a rice ball at the same time the monkey discovers an apricot seed. The monkey does not want the apricot seed, so the monkey negotiates a trade with the crab for the rice ball. The monkey eats the rice ball immediately, while the crab plants the apricot seed and tends to it until it grows into a tall tree full of apricots. At that point, the crab cannot climb the tree to reach the fruit, so the crab asks the monkey to retrieve the apricots. This is where the story takes a turn for the worse.

A monkey helps rescue forest animals during a fire.

A short movie by Kazuhiko Watanabe based on an Aesop's Fable.

A short film released by Gakken. It is based on the Aesop's Fable "The North Wind and the Sun."

Advance! Godzilland is a set of four educational OVAs created by Gakken and released on VHS in 1994 and 1996. The videos feature Godzilla and other kaiju characters to help teach children hiragana, basic counting, addition, and subtraction.

In "Hoshi no Yuuenchi," an elementary school teacher patiently instructs his class in origami, distributing paper cranes. When the class bully, Takeshi, snatches one from another student, it unexpectedly changes into a talking spacecraft. This magical crane carries Takeshi and his classmates off to a stellar carnival. There, they must rescue a girl who has fallen into Space Hell. After the journey ends, Takeshi wakes up uncertain whether it all actually happened. The following day, he gives the enchanted crane back to its original owner. The story was created by Daisuke Ikeda, the head of the Buddhist Soka Gakkai organization, which is often tied to the shinshuukyo religious movement and has sometimes been described as a cult.

Gauche is having trouble perfecting his piece for his performance in 10 days when he hears a knock on his door...

In this tale an ant and a pigeon help each other. Third remake of the Ari to Hato.

Noriyasu appears to be a normal third-grader until he catches his mother reading his private diary. To unsettle her, he begins writing outrageous falsehoods—a giant snake lurking in the bathroom, eating pencils for dinner, and a downpour of pigs. To his amazement, these made-up tales actually come true, and everyone around him treats them as completely normal. The confusion escalates when Noriyasu tries his hand at being a newspaper reporter, publishing "fake news" that rapidly spreads across the neighborhood. The turmoil reaches its peak during a holiday filled with a cascade of pork-related disasters.

A Miyazawa Kenji story adapted as a puppet animation.

Melos runs desperately to rescue his best friend, who has been imprisoned in their place. The story depicts the deep friendship and mutual devotion between the two.

In the afterlife, Kandata—a thief during his previous existence—suffers in hell because of his crimes. Yet, before his death, he once spared a spider. On a certain day, a silken thread descends from above, and Kandata grabs hold of it, attempting to climb toward paradise, only to find...

The Waruchin Ceremony has been stolen from All Star, a planet situated on the edge of space. The integrated computer inside it is designed to make anything achievable. The culprit is the villain Doctor Bell, who plans to use the Waruchin to conquer other worlds. The prince of All Star, Prince Chikkun, accompanied by his intelligent advisor Takkun, embarks on a journey to Earth to chase after Doctor Bell.

Based on The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. Note: The pilot episode of Anime Sanjuushi.

A stop-motion puppet animation adaptation of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale.

Neko no Robu centers on a feline that lacks energy and chooses to speak while reclining, despite being quite meticulous. The cat devotes much of its time to contemplating various subjects and finds amusement in watching people's behavior.

Tomato serves as one of the ten knights of the salad kindom. Though young and clumsy, he consistently manages to save the day, earning admiration from everyone—including the beautiful Princess Peach, with whom he is hopelessly in love. Each episode, the group sets off on a fresh adventure to tackle a new mission, a task made more difficult by the constant interference of the insect band.

This anime adaptation of Kenji Miyazawa's classic short story "Chuumon no Ooi Ryouriten" centers on two British hunters who become lost after venturing into a dense forest. They discover a peculiar restaurant and decide to seek refuge there, but soon realize that the establishment hides secrets far different from its initial appearance.

Aramis was thrown from her horse and received assistance from a man called Francois, quickly falling in love and spending a happy period with him. But Francois was killed by Manson and Ironmask's followers, leading Aramis to swear revenge and head to Paris to become a musketeer. A year after the TV series ended, D'Artagnan was sharing drinks with the three musketeers when he noticed Jussac and the Cardinal's Guards harassing a woman in a Paris tavern. The musketeers stepped in and defeated Jussac and his men. Later, D'Artagnan spotted the same woman trying to leap into the Seine and saved her again, bringing her to his home, only for her to disappear soon after. The following day, D'Artagnan learned that the woman had been murdered the previous night, and he was taken into custody by Rochefort and the Cardinal's Guards for the crime, as his hat was discovered near the victim. Aramis finds out that the case is linked to Catherine de Médicis and starts looking into it. Her investigation leads her back to the castle of her late love, where she must confront Pizzaro to protect a dangerous document.

After failing his exams, young Alto-san feels there's no reason to go back home. As he mulls over his bleak prospects, another child questions his choice. Once Alto-san confides his difficulties, Tenshi-san resolves to motivate him and reveal the true meaning of happiness.

An educational anime about the history and founding of the Hinamatsuri holiday in Japan.

This is a compilation of short stories, each with its own degree of indecency. They are adapted from the real-life issues submitted by readers to the same-named segment in Gakken Publishing's Bomb! magazine.

Mrs. Pepperpot always wears a small spoon on a necklace. Without warning, the spoon causes her to shrink down to the size of a mouse. From this tiny perspective, she experiences the world differently and embarks on many strange adventures together with Wendy the mouse and other friends.

The ruler of the Tower of Wind aims to acquire the fabled power of the Dragon's Head. To accomplish this, they recruit fighter Moka, thief Buruman, and magic user Kiriman to retrieve it. However, the Dragon's Head is locked away inside the Temple of Fire, forcing Moka to confront the sect that has guarded it for generations in order to claim it.

Hiroya Matsumoto, who aspires to follow in the footsteps of his late father and become an outstanding employee, has just been hired by Raito Trading Company. Unbeknownst to him, he has been recruited into a highly secretive division within the firm—the Special Duty Combat Unit, dubbed SHINESMAN. Their mission is to combat the terrifying (and often absurd) alien forces that threaten Earth. Like any typical office worker, Matsumoto still has meetings to attend and deadlines to meet. However, when the Shinesman go to war against the alien race from Planet Voice, commanded by Prince Sasaki, Matsumoto and his colleagues don their office-colored Combat Pro-suits and transform into: Shinesman Red, Sepia, Salmon Pink, Grey, and Moss Green. If you thought you had seen everything in Power Rangers, Kamen Rider, or even Dynaman, just wait until you witness the wacky yet corporate world of SHINESMAN!

In the year 2099, humanity has expanded across parts of the solar system through the advancement of space travel. To push beyond these achievements, the starship Starlight is launched. After saving a mysterious girl from debris in the asteroid belt, the crew of the Starlight embarks on a dangerous voyage toward the Canopus system, seeking the planet known as "Odin"—a potential source of all life.

In 1625, young D'Artagnan departs from his Gascony hometown, carrying only his father’s sword and a letter of recommendation, with the blessing of his grandparents. This aspiring noble aims to meet Captain Tréville, leader of the Musketeers of the Guard and a former comrade of his father, to join their ranks and serve King Louis XIII. Dazzled by the splendor of Paris, D'Artagnan wanders the city streets and befriends a young orphan named Jean. During his adventures, he accidentally offends three Musketeers: Porthos, Aramis, and Athos. When their unauthorized duel is interrupted by Parisian guards, D'Artagnan and the three Musketeers join forces to fight off five soldiers loyal to Cardinal Richelieu, forging a swift bond among them. Together, these new allies work to foil Cardinal Richelieu’s schemes to ignite conflict between England and France and to defend the honor of Queen Anne d'Autriche, wife of Louis XIII. What sacrifices will they have to make in pursuit of their goals?

Mary Lennox discovers that childhood is not always as joyful as it should be. After losing both parents to illness, she is left traumatized and alone, then sent from India to England to live with her uncle, who becomes her guardian. Though she grieves her parents, Mary finds some comfort in being cared for—she gets regular meals and lives in a large mansion, aware these are privileges not to be taken for granted. But her uncle is a quiet man who rarely speaks, leaving Mary feeling isolated and bored, often dwelling on painful memories. One day while walking outside, she unexpectedly finds a hidden garden near the house. With the help of her new friends Dickon and Martha, and her wheelchair-bound cousin Colin, Mary begins an adventure that can turn her bleak life into one full of wonder and joy.

Nils is a lazy and greedy boy whose troublemaking makes life miserable for everyone around him—his parents, the animals on the farm, and the fairy-like tomte he catches one day. He gets what he deserves when the tiny tomte casts a spell that shrinks Nils down to the same size as him! The only way to lift the curse is to travel to distant Lapland alongside Morten the farm goose, Carrot the hamster, and a flock of wild geese. Along the journey, he faces cruel witches, talking statues, wise ravens, and a particularly relentless fox. Under the stern but kind guidance of Captain Akka, the flock's leader, Nils uncovers his compassionate heart and grows to love nature. But when the moment comes, can he choose between his human family and his feathered friends?

During the Sengoku period, Rantarou, Kirimaru, and Shinbei are young students at the Ninjutsu Academy, where they train to become ninjas. Referred to as "Nintamas"—a combination of ninja and tama meaning eggs—these three, along with many other trainees, work hard to develop various special skills and achieve their ambitions. However, their progress is frequently hindered as they often stumble through their lessons. Between strict instructors like Doi-sensei and Yamada-sensei, the playful girls from the Kunoichi class, a band of pirates, and numerous other colorful characters, the world of Nintama is full of endless possibilities. Each episode runs for seven minutes and thirty seconds, and each season—now totaling 29—typically contains 60 to 90 episodes.

When an ice comet struck Venus, it transformed its toxic atmosphere into one that could support human life, turning humanity's dream of colonizing other planets into reality. However, for the settlers, Venus is far from the paradise they envisioned. As harvests fail and competition for limited resources escalates, tensions mount until the two inhabited continents edge toward open conflict. Reporter Susan Sommers reaches the capital of Aphrodia just as Ishtar launches an attack, and only the timely intervention of Hiro Seno and his Battle Bike squad saves her from certain death. But with Aphrodia now under Ishtar's control, Sue, Hiro, and his teammates are forced to flee. Their exceptional skill in Battle Bike—a sport blending motorcycle racing with roller derby—might become the secret weapon Aphrodia needs to turn the tide in the Venus Wars.

In "Wake Up, Girls!," Green Leaves Entertainment is barely scraping by due to a critical shortage of talent. To reverse their fortunes, President Junko Tange decides to break into the idol singer market and orders her subordinate Matsuda to form a girl group, no matter how much effort it takes. Since no ready-made groups are available, Matsuda takes on the tough job of scouting girls with promise who aren't already part of the Japanese music scene. Her recruits include a maid café worker, a lead vocalist who was kicked out of another band, and a young teenager barely thirteen years old. Although they start far from being established stars, the group hopes to rise through pure dedication and passion. With time and hard work, these girls aim to captivate all of Japan with their music.

As the idol group Wake Up, Girls begins gaining popularity, they encounter a series of obstacles that challenge their determination. Members Mayu, Airi, Minami, Yoshino, Nanami, Kaya, and Miyu must deal with the uncertainty caused by their inexperienced manager, Matsuda, who leaves them vulnerable to shady individuals. The situation gets worse when Green Leaves' president disappears with most of the company's funds, and their new producer focuses on provocative swimwear instead of advancing their music career. With rumors about Mayu's past connection to a rival group spreading and internal conflicts threatening to tear the group apart, their success depends on their own ambition as well as the strength of their bonds and their shared passion for music.