Norakuro-kun (1987)
A charming 1987 Japanese anime comedy following a young dog detective and his eccentric grandfather solving quirky cases in suburban Tokyo.
Norakuro-kun - Series Information
- Original Title: のらくろクン
- First Air Year: 1987
- Last Air Year: 1988
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Comedy
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 50
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Networks: Fuji TV
- Production Companies: Pierrot
- Production Countries: Japan
Norakuro-kun - Plot
October, 1987, Autumn. In Suganami, Tokyo, there lives the Kinoshita family whereby the father draws very little pay out of his job as an ordinary salaryman. In order to cover expenses, he decides to let out the second floor of their apartment to earn additional rental income. One day, an obstinate-looking eldery dog, accompanied by a younger boy-dog, came knocking on their doors. The eldery dog addresses himself as Norayama Kuroyoshi and introduces his grandson as Norakuro. The former wants to open a detective agency and intends to rent the unit for their office. He will be the president of the investigative bureau while Norakuro-kun will be the director. He will also recruit one of the Kinoshita's sons, Keita-kun, as his employee and their advisor will be the girl-next-door, a high school student by the name of Rika Sawaguchi. On the third day since the official opening of the office, the telephone rang, a signal of a new case.
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Norakuro-kun - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Mika Doi
- Naoko Matsui
- Chika Sakamoto
- Joji Yanami
- Yuko Mita
- Tessyo Genda
- Junpei Takiguchi
- Shigeru Chiba
- Kenichi Ogata
Writers
- Yoshio Urasawa
- Yoshiyuki Suga
- Kazuhito Kushima
- Sukehiro Tomita
Norakuro-kun - FAQs
What is Norakuro-kun about?
Norakuro-kun follows a young dog named Norakuro and his stubborn grandfather, who set up a small detective agency on the second floor of a Tokyo family's home. Together with a local boy and a high school girl advisor, they take on quirky cases in this lighthearted anime comedy.
Is Norakuro-kun based on a manga or original story?
Norakuro-kun is inspired by Norakuro, one of Japan's most beloved classic manga characters created by Suiho Tagawa in 1931. The 1987 anime reimagines the iconic stray black dog in a contemporary Tokyo setting, blending nostalgia with fresh comedy for a new generation of viewers.
Who are the main voice actors in Norakuro-kun?
The series features a strong cast of veteran Japanese voice actors. Chika Sakamoto voices the young Norakuro, Joji Yanami plays his grandfather Kurokichi, Naoko Matsui voices high schooler Rika Sawaguchi, and Yuko Mita portrays Keita. Kenichi Ogata and Tessyo Genda round out the ensemble.
Where can I watch Norakuro-kun online?
Norakuro-kun is a vintage 1987 anime with limited international streaming availability. Your best starting point is JustWatch, which aggregates viewing options across platforms and regions. Availability may vary depending on your country, so checking there will give you the most current and accurate options.
How many episodes does Norakuro-kun have?
Norakuro-kun ran for a single season comprising 50 episodes, each approximately 30 minutes long. The series aired on Fuji TV from October 1987 through 1988, giving viewers a full and complete story arc across its entire run before concluding.
Who animated and produced Norakuro-kun?
The series was produced by Pierrot, the renowned Japanese animation studio also known for titles like Naruto and Bleach. It aired on Fuji TV, one of Japan's major commercial broadcasters, and was written by a team including Yoshio Urasawa and Sukehiro Tomita, both prolific anime scriptwriters.
What makes Norakuro-kun unique among 1980s anime?
Norakuro-kun stands out by reviving a pre-war manga icon in a modern slice-of-life comedy format. Rather than action or fantasy, it centers on everyday detective misadventures in suburban Tokyo, blending gentle humor with family warmth — a refreshing contrast to the mecha and sci-fi anime dominating that era.
What are some anime series similar to Norakuro-kun?
If you enjoy Norakuro-kun's lighthearted comedy and charming characters, you might also like Kodocha, Samurai Pizza Cats, or Princess Jellyfish — all of which blend humor with heartfelt storytelling. Animaniacs offers a similarly playful animated spirit for those open to non-Japanese productions.
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