Netflix's Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure - What We Know So Far
Since its founding in 1960, the Japanese company Sanrio has tossed several well-known characters into the pop culture mainstream. Arguably the most recognizable is Hello Kitty, who has been around since the mid-1970s and has appeared in numerous animated movies, television shows, and video games while proving a merchandising juggernaut. Other Sanrio creations such as Keroppi and Pochacco have done well for themselves alongside her, as has Gudetama: a sentient uncooked egg introduced in 2013 whose name derives from the Japanese phrase for "lazy" (gude gude) and term for "egg" (tamago).
As the name implies, Gudetama is a tired, lethargic little egg who doesn't have interest in much — and certainly doesn't hide it. Nevertheless, they have become a fan favorite among those who relate to their exhausted demeanor, hence why they've taken such a place of prevalence among Sanrio's many characters. Also, in response to their growing popularity, Gudetama is about to take the hidden gem-filled streaming service Netflix by storm. As announced at the Tudum fan event, everyone's favorite tired yolk will star in their own series, appropriately titled "Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure" (via Polygon).
In the wake of this announcement, here's everything we know so far about "Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure."
What is Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure about?
From what we know, the plot of "Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure" is a rather straightforward one. Gudetama — tired and unimpressed by the world as ever — lives a quiet, solitary life until the half eggshell-wearing chick Shakipiyo barrels into their life. Seeing as they both come from eggs, Shakipiyo deduces that he and Gudetama must be related and that their mother is out in the world somewhere. Thus, he and his yolk of a sibling leave the refrigerator and head out into the great unknown, determined to reunite with their long-lost parent by any means necessary.
As one could imagine, this quest won't be easy. Gudetama and Shakipiyo are an egg and a chick running around a human-populated world that presents all kinds of danger. Nevertheless, they remain vigilant as they search far and wide for their mom, navigating situations they never thought they'd encounter. It stands to reason that Shakipiyo will be the real driving force behind this journey since, at the end of the day, Gudetama historically has little investment in doing anything other than lounging around. Regardless, you can bet on this show delivering all kinds of fun and humorous moments.
Who's on the cast list of Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure?
At the time of this writing, the full cast of "Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure" hasn't reached the public. In fact, it's not even known who will voice Gudetama or their feathered friend Shakipiyo. However, we do know of a small handful of actors that will appear in this CGI-live-action hybrid production First and foremost is Akiyoshi Nakao, who got his start on television in the early 2000s before jumping to the cinema a mere few years into his acting tenure. He's best known for his work on the TV series "Kansatsui Asagao" and the film "Ace Attorney," among other big and small screen productions.
We also know that Serena Motola will feature on the show, expanding her relatively brief filmography in the process. Her earliest acting credit dates back to 2014, and in the years since, she's appeared in "Black School Rules," "Shrieking in the Rain," and seven episodes of "Soromon no Gishô." Motola most recently featured in 2022's "Haw" as Megumi Morishita. Sarutoki Minagawa of "Kanikôsen," "Amachan," and "Death Note" fame also has a part to play on "Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure." Surely more casting information will come to light as the Netflix series' debut inches closer.
Is there a release date for Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure?
Even though it has just come to light, fans of Gudetama won't have to wait too long to check out "Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure." According to Netflix, the debut season will hit streaming on December 13, 2022. The IMDb page for the project also reveals that all 10 episodes will be available on that date, so if you're down for a Gudetama binge, you'll be more than able to do so come December. Of course, if you're unfamiliar with the character, you can check out other shows beforehand to see what they're all about and what you might be able to expect from the Netflix adaptation.
Before "An Eggcellent Adventure" came to fruition, Gudetama got quite a bit of television experience under their belt already. Courtesy of the TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings) show "Asa Chan!" they starred in their own series of shorts from 2014 to 2020 that follow their unwanted yet often wild adventures. The episodes aren't long, generally clocking in under a minute each, and the animation is far from innovative, but the stories give you a good idea of who Gudetama is while introducing their numerous supporting characters at the same time. This series was followed-up by YouTube's "Gudetama Freestyle" in early 2021.
Is there a trailer for Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure?
To get subscribers (or potential subscribers) invested in "Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure," Netflix released a trailer for the show on YouTube on September 25, 2022. It begins with the titular egg delivering their philosophy on life, which boils down to "just go with the flow no matter what." We then meet Shakipiyo, who sweeps up a less-than-enthusiastic Gudetama in a quest to find their mom. They then take the leap of faith out of the fridge and hit the road with Shakipiyo pushing Gudetama along in a makeshift eggshell stroller. However, their journey is about to take a dangerous turn.
Akiyoshi Nakao's character declares that he's going to capture Gudetama for unknown reasons. As "Gudetama March" by Yoko Hara plays, Shakipiyo and Gudetama make their way through a perilous city, and we see quick shots of Serena Motola and Sarutoki Minagawa's characters before the teaser introduces another wrinkle in the story. As the trip goes on, Gudetama is at risk of spoiling or "going bad," so even though Gudetama couldn't care less, it's now a race against the clock for the two protagonists to find their mom. The trailer ends with a montage of different CGI and live-action characters and Gudetama flying off into the sky.
All in all, "Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure" looks like a delightful road show fit for all members of the family. For fans of the title character, December 13 can't come soon enough.