Rilakkuma Packs Its Bags
The Rilakkuma anime, produced at Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell, Haikyu!!), has been airing as a short-form series on TBS every Saturday morning since April 2026. Its first arc carried the subtitle Goyururi Yume no Tabi ("A Leisurely Dream Journey"), sending the lazy bear and friends on easygoing, sleepy adventures. The newly announced second arc takes a more active turn.
Japanese entertainment news site Comic Natalie reported that the upcoming story season carries the title Tekuteku Sekai Ryokō. "Tekuteku" is a Japanese onomatopoeia for small, steady footsteps, which fits the pint-sized travelers perfectly. A fresh key visual shows Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, and Kiiroitori kitted out in travel outfits, bags packed and ready to hit the road.
For viewers unfamiliar with the property, Rilakkuma is San-X's flagship character: a bear in a costume who showed up one day at an office worker's apartment and never left. The franchise has spawned plush toys, stationery, cafes, and two stop-motion Netflix specials before this 2D animated TV series.
What the New PV Shows
The second promotional video, released on Comic Natalie on June 20, 2026, captures the trio doing what they do best: eating, dancing, and generally being adorable in new locations. The clip showcases the world travel theme, with the characters visiting various destinations.
Director Yoshimi Itazu (Welcome to the Ballroom) helms the first part of the series, with Yumi Kamakura taking over for the second. YOASOBI vocalist Lilas Ikuta (幾田りら) handles both narration and the theme song "stay with me," giving the show a gentle, modern soundtrack to match its cozy visuals.
Looking Ahead
The Rilakkuma anime airs every Saturday at 9:25 AM on TBS in Japan, with episodes also streaming on domestic platforms including ABEMA, Prime Video Japan, Hulu Japan, and U-NEXT. International viewers can catch new subtitled episodes weekly on Crunchyroll.
No specific premiere date has been announced for the Tekuteku Sekai Ryokō arc, but the transition from the first arc appears to be coming soon as the series approaches its second cour under director Kamakura. With 2D Rilakkuma already proving its charm in the first arc, a world tour sounds like the right next step for a bear who'd rather nap than walk anywhere.