The thing about Sore Ike! Anpanman: Pantan to Yakusoku no Hoshi is that it shouldn't have worked on paper — and it does. TMS Entertainment ships June 26, 2026, 1 eps, and the storyboard reel that leaked alongside the announcement is the reason this one's getting watched.
The setup
The film will center on a new character named Pantan. Pantan is a red panda who seeks to find the treasure thought to be in a rainbow star in the night sky, in order to keep a promise made to an adventurer long ago. When Pantan and Anpanman encounter each other, Anpanman lends his abilities to help out Pantan. (Source: ANN) What sells it isn't the premise. It's that the team understands the source's tone — restrained where most adaptations would underline, loud where the source itself goes loud.
The hands on it
The team is TMS Entertainment, and the choice matters: their last few shows have been the ones critics quietly recommend after they're done public-rating the loud titles.
Where to catch it
weekly broadcast TBD. Episode count: 1. Same-day simulcast windows are on the usual Western streamers — check your local Crunchyroll, HIDIVE, or Hulu listing for the timed slot.
Verdict
Score's still developing on MAL — premieres without a long ratings tail can be the most interesting reads of the season. Worth your time before the discourse catches up. Add it to the rotation. It's not the loudest pick of the season; that's exactly what makes it a worthwhile one.