A new puppet show content, "Iyadomo Shikao Family," will be distributed on Tokoton Anton TV, a YouTube Kids channel for children featuring Antlers' official mascot, Anton.
[Click here to watch the first four episodes of "Iyadomo Shikao Family"]
*Available from 5:00 PM on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
This content is a humorous puppet show featuring Anton, Shikao, Shikako of the "Shikao Family," and Tokoton Anton TV's original character, Mokkun.
Concept
This content is a "community-based educational video program" that incorporates rich linguistic expressions, such as the Ibaraki dialect, allowing children to learn happily while experiencing local culture. The core idea of this project—to foster children's interest in "language," "communication," and "local culture"—is encapsulated in the series title, "Iyadomo Shikao Family."
The main phrase, "Iyadomo," is a warm dialect deeply rooted in the local character of Ibaraki. This word is, in fact, a very profound and "versatile word" that is used with various meanings in all sorts of daily situations. We adopted it as the title to convey the excitement of exploring and discovering with children when and with what feelings "Iyadomo" is used, its fun, and the mysterious power of the word. At the same time, it carries an open and welcoming nuance, a "hello to the world!" from Anton and his friends.
Furthermore, the background to incorporating the Ibaraki dialect into this work is our wish for "connections" through language. We will deliver this content as an opportunity to deepen attachment to the region for locals in Ibaraki, and as a window for people nationwide to learn about the charm and warm culture of Ibaraki.
It has a rhythmic and catchy quality that preschoolers and elementary school children will instinctively understand and want to imitate, aiming to become a fun catchphrase for parents and children in their daily lives. By crowning it "Shikao Family," we will develop it as a video series that a wide range of generations can easily enjoy together at home through the warm daily life of a family.
In the play, centered around "Iyadomo," rich expressions such as dialects, onomatopoeia, even four-character idioms, proverbs, and English are exchanged. By becoming familiar with local Ibaraki language and culture according to various situations, it is structured to foster attachment to the region and to funnily learn the importance of expressing one's feelings through words. In addition, it incorporates elements of familiar career experiences (interest in jobs) such as cake shops and doctors, as well as art and aesthetics, and will be developed as a new entertainment that supports local intellectual and moral education.
Distribution Schedule and Episode Lineup
The first four episodes will be distributed as a special edition.
Thereafter, two episodes will be distributed regularly.
●First Special Edition (Distributed September 1)
・Episode 1: "Iyadomo ①" (Ibaraki dialect: surprised!)
・Episode 2: "Iyadomo ②" (Ibaraki dialect: What!? )
・Episode 3: "Cake Shop" (Four-character idiom × pretend play: cake shop)
・Episode 4: "Bossabosha" (Onomatopoeia × Ibaraki dialect: soaking wet)
●Second Release (Scheduled for September 16)
・Episode 5: "Iyadomo ③" (Ibaraki dialect: Is that so?)
・Episode 6: "Mind over matter" (Proverb × pretend play: doctor)
●Third Release (Scheduled for late September)
・Episode 7: "Borrowing a cat's paw" (Idiom × pretend play: convenience store)
・Episode 8: "Iyadomo ④" (Ibaraki dialect: not so much)
●Fourth Release (Scheduled for early October)
・Episode 9: "Mona Lisa" (Art × pretend play)
・Episode 10: "Appatoppa" (Ibaraki dialect: flustered)
●Fifth Release (Scheduled for late October)
・Episode 11: "Buttsumaru" (Ibaraki dialect: traffic jam)
・Episode 12: "When the cat's away, the mice will play" (Proverb × pretend play: laundry)
■Message from Anton
"A new story, 'Iyadomo Shikao Family,' is starting on Tokoton Anton TV!
I, Papa Shikao, Mama Shikako, and our friend Mokkun will appear, becoming cake shop owners and doctors, and there will be lots of exciting stories where we chat happily using various words like 'Iyadomo,' which everyone in Ibaraki uses a lot, as well as proverbs and four-character idioms!
I'd be happy if you watch the videos, learn fun and interesting words from Ibaraki, and chat a lot with your friends and family!
Watch it with everyone, looking forward to what kind of story will come next!"
(*Some parts have been rewritten for readability)
For this project, Masashi Yokota (representative works: NHK E-tele "Okaasan to Issho", "Sherlock Holmes", "Shakiin!", "Musica Piccolino", etc.; part-time lecturer at Ibaraki University Faculty of Education), representative of Kitchen, who handles many educational contents, is the creative director. Haruna Karasuda (representative works: NHK E-tele "Sign Language Animation Shuwa-wan!", "Petit Petit Anime", "Okaasan to Issho Family Concert", music for Snoopy Museum exhibits, etc.), a composer who has also provided music for many educational contents, continues to cooperate in creating contents that are fun, reassuring, and teach the importance of communication.
■Comment from Masashi Yokota
"Tokoton Anton TV will be powered up this autumn!
A short comedy puppet show featuring the Shikao Family and Mokkun, which will make you chuckle and is subtly informative, will begin.
We aimed to create content where children can learn the joy of expressing themselves and the importance of communication while experiencing the warm words and various expressions of Ibaraki.
I would be delighted if this can be an opportunity for parents and children to smile and chat a lot together. Iyadomo!"
■Comment from Haruna Karasuda
"The stories in the new segment 'Iyadomo Shikao Family' are fun, interesting, and sometimes even surprising!
I composed music that's perfect for these exciting stories ♪"
Under Anton's desire to "meet everyone in the world!", "Tokoton Anton TV" will continue to enrich its content as a new platform where the club, the region, and children can meet and connect through words and experiences.
"Iyadomo Shikao Family" First Episode Content
Opening
A stylish opening reminiscent of a cartoon animation!
Haruna Karasuda's composed music is cute and creates anticipation, making it familiar to the ear. It makes you wonder, "What kind of story will I see today?" and the excitement is unstoppable!
Episode 1
"Iyadomo ①" (Ibaraki dialect: surprised!)
Mokkun jumped out from behind something with a "Whoa!" What came out of the surprised Anton's mouth was... "Iyadomo!"? Introducing the mysterious and warm Ibaraki greeting familiar to the Shikao Family, which is not "Whoa!" or "Gah!"
Episode 2
"Iyadomo ②" (Ibaraki dialect: Eh!? )
Oh dear? Mokkun, with bandages and plasters on all his fingers, is sighing. From finger wrestling to getting caught in a door, even a jammed finger... Pay attention to Anton's "Iyadomo," filled with surprise and empathy, meaning "Eh!?" and "That must have been tough" to Mokkun's miserable story!
Episode 3
"Cake Shop" (Four-character idiom × pretend play: cake shop)
"Four-character idioms" compactly express scenes and meanings with four kanji characters. Mokkun came to the cake shop where Anton is the manager! He's thrilled about the limited-edition cakes made with Ibaraki's specialty melons, sweet potatoes, and even natto! What is Mokkun's surprising way of ordering, and what does "business prosperity" that Anton teaches mean!?
Episode 4
"Bossabosha" (Onomatopoeia × Ibaraki dialect: soaking wet)
"Onomatopoeia" expresses natural sounds, states of things, and feelings through words. Anton and Mokkun ran through the rain. Anton says, "Oh, I'm bosshabosha!" Mokkun retorts, "You mean soaking wet!" Actually, there are interesting regional differences even in common onomatopoeia!
YouTube Channel Overview
Tokoton Anton TV
Tokoton Anton TV is a YouTube program for kids that offers a wide range of content, including "Job Encyclopedia," where Anton reports on and experiences familiar Antlers jobs, and "Come Here, Anton," where he makes surprise visits to fans' and supporters' homes for hands-on experiences. It also features educational content such as "Anton's Drawing Song," "ABC Song," and "Find Anton!!" The program balances entertainment and educational approaches, making it safe and enjoyable for families. It is produced by staff with extensive experience in creating educational content (e.g., Okaasan to Issho, Shakiin!, Musica Piccolino, Petit Petit Anime).
[YouTube Links]
・Channel TOP: https://www.youtube.com/@tokoton_anton
・"Iyadomo Shikao Family" First Episode: https://youtu.be/59GHq1nl9WY