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| Crayon Shin-chan’s Grown-Up Sister Appears! Hata Mei Charms as 20-Year-Old Himawari (YouTube/Coca Cola JP) |
That’s right – Japanese actress Hata Mei is stepping into the role of 20-year-old Nohara Himawari in “Another Crayon Shin-chan: The Kettle Family” (やかんの家族だゾ！), a web-exclusive short film series that reimagines the beloved anime characters in their adulthood. The new Episode 6, set to drop on this week marks her very first appearance in this retro-futuristic spin-off series.
And honestly? Fans are loving it already – even before release.
The Nohara Siblings All Grown Up – But Still a Bit of Chaos
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Set in the familiar town of Kasukabe, the upcoming episode focuses on a heartwarming (and mildly hilarious) reunion between Shinnosuke – now a 25-year-old city bloke played by rising star Takahashi Fumiya – and his not-so-little sister Himawari. On summer break, Shin returns home to Kasukabe, only to stumble upon Himawari being chatted up by a bunch of persistent guys at the station. Naturally, big bro mode kicks in.
Hata Mei plays Himawari with just the right balance of sass and charm – her lines like “うざっ (So annoying)” and “暇じゃないっす (Not interested, mate)” already teased as fan favourites behind-the-scenes. Word is, even the film crew couldn’t stop giggling during takes.
Shot in Kasukabe – With Sibling Chemistry On Point
Filming for Episode 6 took place in Kasukabe itself – not just the hometown of the Noharas in the anime, but also Takahashi Fumiya’s real-life hometown. One of the first scenes shot? Takahashi piggybacking Hata Mei through the station, both of them grinning from ear to ear. Their natural chemistry made it all the more believable that these two grew up in the same chaotic household.
One standout scene – Himawari tripping on the pavement – was shot multiple times from all sorts of angles. Hata Mei reportedly nailed it with every fall, never losing that iconic Himawari grin.
The Short Film Series That Keeps Winning Hearts
Since its launch earlier this year, “The Kettle Family” has pulled in over 12 million views across Coca-Cola Japan’s YouTube and the official Yakan no Mugicha Instagram page. The shorts, created in collaboration with the tea brand, have struck a nostalgic chord with fans while giving the Noharas a grounded, modern spin.
Previous episodes showed the day-to-day lives of adult Shinnosuke, mum Misae (played by Aso Kumiko, 49), and dad Hiroshi (played by veteran actor Harada Taizo, 55). They’re all dealing with real-life grown-up stuff – like work, ageing, loneliness, but still with the awkward, lovable energy the show’s always had.
Hata Mei’s Comment – All Love for the Noharas
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Speaking on joining the Nohara family, Hata Mei said:
“It’s such a joy to be part of the Noharas as Himawari! It’s been amazing to bring her charming grown-up self to life. I really think we’ve created a story that will make you smile, laugh, and even feel a bit emotional about your own family. So grab a bottle of Yakan no Mugicha, sit back, and enjoy the whole series from start to finish!”
Where to Watch
The new episode (and all previous ones) are available on:
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Coca-Cola Japan’s official YouTube channel
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The official Yakan no Mugicha Instagram page (@yakan_mugicha)
And yep – they’re free to watch, with English subtitles likely to follow once the buzz spreads internationally.
With grown-up Himawari finally on screen and sibling antics in full swing, fans are already hoping for more episodes – maybe even a full-length drama? If the views keep rolling in, who knows – we might just see the Noharas dealing with taxes, marriage, and adulting in proper live-action format.
Now that would be a plot twist Shin-chan himself could never dream up.