Rilakkuma (リラックマ) is a fictional character produced by the Japanese company San-X and created by Aki Kondo. San-X portrays Rilakkuma as an anthropomorphized teddy bear close to his bear friends Korilakkuma and Chairoikoguma, along with a bird Kiiroitori. After the character's debut in 2003, Rilakkuma has been featured on stationery and merchandise created by San-X, as well as multiple collaboration cafès. Along with picture books and comics, a stop-motion animation series titled Rilakkuma and Kaoru was broadcast in 2019.
An anime adaptation started airing in April 2026, the series is animated by the studio Production I.G.[1]
Development
San-X employee Aki Kondo had previously created characters such as Amagurichan and Mikanbouya.[2]