Shin Chan- a name so oft heard and so dear to his huge legion of fans who clamour about just like him! A complete family entertainer as it has come to be now, Shin Chan is a sure shot dose of relaxation. However, all’s not so rosy about this boy kid of the times. As black comedy and dark slap stick manifests itself through the character, Shin Chan draws critics as well. Yet Shin Chan’s real story is one that is remarkably tragic.
But even as lame jokes have time and again irritated audience and critics alike, Shin Chan continues to be a global brand. TV series, magazine issues, cute merchandise and a whole lot of stuff sum up the Shin Chan universe.
Source: Onlinecake.in
The series which follows the adventures of the five-year-old Shinnosuke “Shin” Nohara (Shin Chan) and his parents, baby sister, dog, neighbours, and friends is set in Kasukabe, Saitama Prefecture. Also as the highest grossing animated franchise, with sales of over a 100 million copies, Shin Chan sure is going strong even 25 years after his debut.
But even when you watch Shin Chan on the TV and enjoy his adventures for sure, how much do you actually know about him? Like his real name, or the fact that Shin Chan could be a real boy! There is definitely more to this much loved anime character beyond the fleeting appearances he makes on screen. The story of the adored manga character from his birth to his tragic demise was one incredible ride.
1. Who Created ShinChan ?
Source: gie
Shin Chan is perhaps the most loved new age cartoon character and a definite phenomenon in the world of anime. A Japanese series written and illustrated by manga artist Yoshito Usui, Shin Chan made its first appearance in a Japanese weekly magazine called Weekly Manga Action, which is published by Futabasha.
2. When was Shin Chan Born or Started ?
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In 1990, Shin Chan debuted in the world of manga courtesy Usui.
The manga in its original form however had to end on September 11, 2009. The cartoon character returned as a new manga in the summer of 2010 by the name New Crayon Shin-chan.
Shin Chan originally started as a spin-off of the character Shinnosuke Nikaido from Darakuya Store Monogatari, another series by Yoshito. As an anime series, Shin Chan made its foray on TV Asahi in 1992 and continues to this date on several television networks. Recently, an anime spinoff of Shin Chan titled Super Shiro has been announced.
3. How did Shin Chan Die ?
As a manga comic character that came to the world when Yoshito Usui created Shin Chan in 1992, the anime series and its character had to come to an end when Usui died on September 11, 2009 after plunging to his death from atop of Mount Arafune. Crayon Shin Chan however continued to ‘live’ until March 2010 as newer manuscripts featuring the young boy were discovered.
Source: The Japan Times
When Yoshito Usui passed away in 2009, fans of the Japanese anime character Crayon Shin-chan visited a memorial to Usui, in Tokyo.
4. Revealing Shin Chan’s real face
For a cartoon character that would obviously be aimed at the recreation of young children and kids, Shin Chan as an anime series is relatively dark. This, according to many fans, is because the manga character is modelled on a real life child that makes up Shin Chan’s rather tragic real story.
Apparently, Shinnosuke Nohara is the young boy on whom the character of a 5 year old Shin Chan is based. Nohara died in a car accident while trying to save his younger sister. After his death, the mother Misae experienced a period of deep misery and she started sketching her lost son. A young Nohara and his mischiefs returned as flashes of memory as a mourning mother crayoned her dead child into sketches. Later, when Usai gazed at those beautiful paintings, he was struck by the intensity of the despair and hope these sketches simultaneously reflected. As a real boy returned as a manga character through some crayoned images, the world immediately caught on to Shin chan’s real story that what soon grew to be a phenomenon.
Source: Cinema cafe
Incidentally therefore, even as a cartoon series, Shin Chan would never air the last episode of the series. The final episode would have moved with
Shin chan’s real story where Shin Chan dies trying to save his younger sister from a car accident on the town’s road. But whether Shin Chan was actually a character based on a real boy remains a matter hugely debated and rumoured.
5. Is Shin Chan actually a real character?
Apparently, Shin Chan was also a representation of Usui’s own childhood. A rebellious kid that wanted to do so much yet couldn’t because he was too constrained by the real world shaped the character of Shin Chan when Usui set about in creating him.
As a TV series that concerned the real life problems and situations, Shin Chan was an adult cartoon show when it aired first in the 1990s. But as its popularity grew, Shin Chan also ‘grew’ to emerge as a family oriented show catering to a larger audience. No wonder, the popularity of the character and the series also increased manifold. On top of that, Shin Chan’s real story appealed to people and the series catapulted to glory.
6. Movies based on the character Shin Chan
The movies based on the character of Shin Chan which depict Shin Chan’s real story come sixth in the list of highest grossing anime series of all times.
Crayon Shin-chan: Action Mask vs. Leotard Devil
Source: The Movie Database
The adventure in Shin Chan’s story as Acton Kamen sought help from our hero comes to life in this film.
Crayon Shin-chan: Great Adventure in Henderland
Source: Letterboxd
The evil forces at play at the Henderland amusement park turn out to be objects of Shin Chan’s interest even as Futaba Kindergarten kids get all excited for their trip to the park.
Crayon Shin-chan: Blitzkrieg! Pig’s Hoof’s Secret Mission
Source: Solaris Japan
As Shin Chan and his classmates are caught in a field trip gone wrong, they need to pull their socks up to try and save the world.
Crayon Shin-chan: Burst Serving! Kung Fu Boys ~Ramen Rebellion~
Source: Crunchyroll
This Shin Chan movie explores the journey of Shin-chan and the Kasukabe Defense Group as they learn and perform a new martial art, an absolutely no-stunt Kung Fu challenge on the stage in Aiya Town, also known as the Chinatown of Kasukabe city.
Crayon Shin-chan: Fast Asleep! The Great Assault on Dreamy World!
Source: Wikipedia
The highest grossing film in Shin Chan’s story series follows the title kindergartner and his family as they journey into the world of dreams.
Crayon Shin-chan: Honeymoon Hurricane ~The Lost Hiroshi~
Source: ComicBook.com
Hiroshi gets kidnapped as the Noharas enjoy a vacation and the big adventure unravels in this movie.
Crayon Shin-chan: Intense Battle! Robo Dad Strikes Back
Source: Crayon Shin-chan English
Shin Chan’s story takes a diabolical turn as his dad returns as a robot to present a testing time for our little hero and his family.
Crayon Shin-chan: Invasion!! Alien Shiriri
Source: YouTube
As an alien Shiriri mysteriously ‘ungrows’ parents into children, the onus rests on Shin-chan to help them return to their adult form.
Crayon Shin-chan: My Moving Story! Cactus Large Attack!
Source: GSC Movies
The story of the transfer of Shin Chan’s family to mexico where they unravel the secret of some mysterious cactus by a mere stroke of coincidence.
Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring’s Feel Good Final Battle
Source: Play-Asia.com
Shin Chan takes charge in this film story as a spring underneath his house needs to be tapped to pull of a rescue act for the world!
Crayon Shin-chan: The Legend Called Buri Buri 3 Minutes Charge
Our favorite noodles and an even more favorite Shin Chan make up this delightful monster fighting film.
Crayon Shin-chan: The Legend Called: Dance! Amigo!
Source: Alchetron
Shin Chan’s first horror comedy movie had Shin Chan scrounging for all sinister elements.
Crayon Shin-chan: Pursuit of the Balls of Darkness
Source: The Movie Database
Shin Chan and his family gets involved in a dispute between two clans, fighting to possess a sphere claimed to be able to bring back to life a powerful evil spirit.
Crayon Shin-chan: Roar! Kasukabe Wild Kingdom
Source: BlackJunction.tv
This is the 17th film based on the Crayon Shin-chan series.
Crayon Shin-chan: The Hidden Treasure of the Buri Buri Kingdom
Source: Crayon Shin-chan English
Shinchan and his doppelganger sets on to defeat a ruthless leader Mr. Anaconda and his forces.
Crayon Shin-chan: Jungle That Invites Storm
Source: Solaris Japan
The Nohara kids are all set for some action as they have to rescue all the grown up from the clutches of a gang of monkeys turned kidnappers.
Crayon Shin-chan: Fierceness That Invites Storm! Operation Golden Spy
Source: Films Kijken Gratis Online
A girl named Lemon brings a message for Shin Chan. As an action spy, Shin Chan now has to foil double agents and secret plots.
Crayon Shin-chan: Fierceness That Invites Storm! The Adult Empire Strikes Back
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This movie explore Shin Chan’s story as he tries to rescue the adults of Kasukabe when they mysteriously abandon their responsibilities to relive their childhood at the new 20th-century museum.
Crayon Shin-chan: Fierceness That Invites Storm! The Battle of the Warring States
Source: The Movie Database
After the adults, it’s time for Shin Chan to travel back in time, where he promptly involves himself in samurai wars and political intrigue, changing every course of history.
Crayon Shin-chan: Fierceness That Invites Storm! The Hero of Kinpoko
Source: Lettrboxd
Our kid hero Shin Chan is assisted by another new kid on the block, Mata as they both strive together to set off whatever sinister could have happened.
Crayon Shin-chan: Fierceness That Invites Storm! The Kasukabe Boys of the Evening Sun
Source: Carousell
Shin-chan’s friends go missing in this story in an abandoned movie theater after which the Nohars go undiscovered as well as they initially set on for the kids’ rescue!
Crayon Shin-chan: Fierceness That Invites Storm! The Singing Buttocks Bomb
Source: Google Play
Shin Chan comes forward to save the world once again, this time with his dog Shiro after an alien bomb has threatened destruction.
Crayon Shin-chan: Fierceness That Invites Storm! Yakiniku Road of Honor
Source: Crayon Shin-chan Wiki – Fandom
Another conspiracy engulfs the Noharas as their yakiniku night goes seriously wrong.
Crayon Shin-chan: Fierceness That Invites Storm! Me and the Space Princess
Source: L- Lists
Shin Chan’s sister or a space princess? As aliens lay claim to the baby girl and abducts the entire Noharas, it’s a matter not resolved whether they would be doomed on aliens’ land forever.
Crayon Shin-chan: Very Tasty! B-class Gourmet Survival!!
Source: So- net
Hunger and other obstacles dot Shin Chan’s way as he and his friends deliver a barrel of legendary sauce to a food festival.
Crayon Shin-chan: Super-Dimension! The Storm Called My Bride
Source: daewonmedia.com
Shinchan Nohara even has a bride who assists the boy in saving the world for yet another time with an adventure!
Crayon Shin-chan: : Unkokusai’s Ambition
Source: oncuemovies.com
Shin Chan’s time travelling story sees him go back in time one more time to defeat an evil Lord Unkokusai in this movie.
Whether you are kid enough not to be perturbed by the real depictions of the world or equivalently, adult enough not to care about the somewhat dark world of Shin Chan humour, then you have discovered absolute peace. Lay back then and enjoy the mischiefs of the boy child that is Shin Chan. At least till the time the proverbial last episode airs, if ever!
