Cheburashka is a bear-like character created by Russian writer Eduard Uspensky in 1965, later made into a hugely popular animated series from 1969 that went on to gain popularity in Europe and Japan. He is now an nationally well-known character in Russia. Japan bought the remake rights and created a theatrical version of [Cheburashka] in 2010 with long-time TV animation director Makoto Nakamura. The theatrical version of [Cheburashka] is composed of three episodes: The first is about how Cheburashka gets shipped to Russia in a box of oranges and befriends Gena, the crocodile; the second is about how Cheburashka and Gena help Masha, a little girl who wants to join the circus; and the third is about Cheburashka and Gena helping an old magician who is looking for his granddaughter. The charm of [Cheburashka] is a combination of Cheburashka’s adorable appearance, Gena’s absurd actions and ways of thinking, and Shapoklyak’s mean yet sometimes endearing personality. It is also an animation based on a story of love and friendship for family viewing. (KIM Ji-seok)