
You just can’t keep a good otter down.
Fans around the world were disheartened to hear that beloved otter yurukyara mascot Chiitan was disowned by her adoptive city of Susaki. After months of skateboarding on treadmills and smashing things with bats, all without fulfilling any civic duty whatsoever, they simply felt it was better to amicably part ways.
Luckily, Chiitan’s strong social media presence on Twitter and YouTube has buoyed her over to her next venture: her own animated series. Set to air on TV Tokyo starting 3 April, Yosei Chiitan (Fairy Chiitan) will feature practical humor like the stunts she performs in real life, such as shaking a giant bottle of cola and then riding it into outer space.
For those who might not be up to speed on Chiitan’s consubstantiality, she now exists simultaneously in three forms. Most recently we have the anime Chiitan as seen above, which is an extension of the yurukyara Chiitan which has become a hit online.
But Chiitan is also a living, breathing, pet Asian small-clawed otter who is also a social media darling in her own right.
This means Chiitan can run the gamut from magical adventures, Jackass-like stunts, and good old-fashioned cuteness all at the same time. Needless to say she is a character that transcends space and time, providing us with entertainment on multiple fronts.
Yosei Chiitan will be shown Wednesday mornings at 7:30 as a part of TV Tokyo’s Kinder TV block of programming, and the debut episode will follow the cola-bottle trip to space in its entirety. The voice of Chiitan will be done by Moa Tsukino, a bass player and member of Kamen Joshi who you may remember as the idol group whose various smells and textures are the inspiration for a line of fried chicken.
▼ The voice of Chiitan, Moa Tsukino, playing bass
So fans of Chiitan can rest easy knowing that her star is shining brighter than ever. The only question is what can she become next? A hologram? A vocaloid? Only time will tell.
Source: Big Globe News
Top image: YouTube/Chiitan

Chiitan the otter rejected as mascot character for Japan’s Susaki City due to reckless behavior
It’s WAR! Susaki City demands Chiitan suspend all activities over copyright violation
Chiitan the otter mascot poised for mainstream success with fun videos of everyday tasks
Chiitan’s management speaks out about copyright issues and future with Susaki City
Free Chiitan! Japanese otter mascot starts new English account after total Twitter suspension
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Survey finds that one in five high schoolers don’t know who music legend Masaharu Fukuyama is
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
McDonald’s ad in Japan causes controversy overseas
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The Sailor Moon theme song is based on another song about drinking a lot of tequila【Video】
This is what a 10,800-yen (US$100) Tokyo sushi boxed lunch looks like【Taste test】
Japanese manhole covers become a hit with foreign tourists in off-the-beaten path Tokyo area
We visit the 24-hour male-only sauna just outside of Hakata Station and ponder a strange sight
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Sakura Totoro is here to get spring started early with adorable pouches and plushies
Poop is in full bloom at the Unko Museums for cherry blossom season
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Meet Japan’s adorable otter YouTuber, Chiitan!【Video】
Chiitan vs John Oliver: Talk show host responds to Japanese mascot’s challenge to battle 【Video】
Chiitan needs your help! Japanese mascot suspended on Twitter after John Oliver feud
Black Lives Matter protests receive support from Japanese mascot Chiitan【Video】
Otter mascot character Shinjo-kun kicks butt at Street Fighter tournament in full costume【Video】
Japanese mascot Shinjo-kun joins ChiiJohn for a trip to the U.S. to see John Oliver 【Video】
Tokyo police force mascot Pipo-kun anthropomorphises into muscly man in new anime clip