My Melody & Kuromi: The Handmade Warmth of Stop-Motion

An Interview with Screenwriter Shuko Nemoto | August 2, 2025

Netflix’s newest stop-motion animation series, My Melody & Kuromi, brings the beloved Sanrio characters into an emotional, imaginative new world. Written by acclaimed Japanese playwright Shuko Nemoto and directed by Tomoki Misato of Pui Pui Molcar fame, this heartwarming series blends emotional storytelling with the tactile charm of handcrafted animation.

What Is

My Melody & Kuromi

About?

Set in the pastel-hued land of Mariland, My Melody — a white bunny in a pink hood — runs a cheerful cake shop. Across the street, Kuromi runs a Japanese sweets store and is determined to outdo her rival. But just as their friendly competition heats up, strange happenings begin to unfold in their whimsical world.

Created by WIT Studio’s stop-motion division, Toruku Studio, the series showcases the meticulous art of stop-motion animation, with Netflix continuing its strong track record in the genre after titles like Rilakkuma and Kaoru, Pokémon Concierge, and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.

A Playwright’s Leap into Animation

Shuko Nemoto, known for her powerful plays centered around human relationships, took on her first animated project with My Melody & Kuromi. She says the opportunity came unexpectedly:

“A board member of the production company had seen one of my plays and thought my writing style would fit the world of My Melody. I never imagined I’d get the chance to write for Sanrio characters — especially my childhood favorite,” says Nemoto.

Despite being new to the animation world, Nemoto brought emotional nuance and theatrical rhythm to her scripts.

The Duality of My Melody and Kuromi

Nemoto explores the iconic rivalry not as conflict, but as contrast within the human psyche:

“We all have a bit of My Melody and a bit of Kuromi in us. My Melody represents lightness and calm, while Kuromi expresses jealousy or ambition. But together, they balance each other. I wanted to portray them as two halves of one whole.”

Though Sanrio gave detailed character guides, Nemoto approached them like human characters, focusing on authentic dialogue and emotional truth.

A Genre-Breaking Creative Collaboration

Director Tomoki Misato is known for his surreal, often horror-tinged stop-motion work. His vision for the series included surprising elements like flying airplanes, a heart being carried away by swans, and a high-speed car chase — challenging scenes for any medium, let alone stop-motion.

“I was confused at first — how could I write a car chase for stop-motion? But Misato-san is the type of director who goes all in, no matter how difficult it is,” recalls Nemoto.

Netflix and WIT Studio encouraged Nemoto to write freely, even without considering stop-motion’s limitations. However, during script development, she did adjust dialogue and pacing to suit the animation process.

The Magic of Stop-Motion

Working on the show changed Nemoto’s view of animation:

“In past stop-motion works I watched as a kid, only the main characters moved. But in this series, if you look closely, even background flowers and animals are moving. It’s full of life.”

She adds that audiences can feel the dedication and love that went into every frame — a warmth that digital animation sometimes lacks.

The Message Behind the Series

At its core, Nemoto hopes My Melody & Kuromi brings comfort:

“I want viewers to feel warm inside. Like something that lifts their spirits for tomorrow’s work or school.”

She also highlights the quiet strength of both characters:

“They’re not strong from the start. They cry, they stumble. But deep down, they have something resilient in their hearts. That’s the kind of strength I wanted to show.”