Ocha-Ken

Ocha-Ken
DVD cover of Ocha-ken: Ryokutto Monogatari
お茶犬
Anime television series
Ocha-Ken: Chokotto Monogatari
StudioTeahouse
Original networkKids Station
English networkTVB (China)
Original run October 6, 2003 March 29, 2004
Episodes26
Anime television series
Ocha-Ken: Hotto Monogatari
Directed byGreen Hillow
Produced byT.A
StudioTeahouse
Licensed byMTO Games
Original networkKids Station
Original run January 16, 2006 March 31, 2023
Episodes128
Anime television series
Ocha-Ken: Ryokutto Monogatari
Music byPRESENTDAY Co, Ltd.
StudioTeahouse
Original networkNintendo DS
Original run November 22, 2008 February 21, 2009
Episodes13

Ocha-Ken (お茶犬) is a toy line and media franchise created by Sega Toys and Horipro in 2002. The name means "tea puppy" in Japanese,[1] and most of the characters have tea leaves for ears. An animated series was produced in 2003, and multiple video games for Nintendo handheld systems have also been released, primarily developed by MTO.

Characters

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The characters are dogs themed around different types of tea.[2]

  • Ryoku: A green tea-themed dog who is laid-back. He was born on May 2nd and he enjoys sunbathing.
  • Aru: A red black tea-themed dog. He has a strong sense of justice and can only be seen by people who work hard.
  • Ron: A black oolong-themed dog with golden ears. He has a cool personality and can only be seen by the innocent.
  • Hana: A pink herbal tea-themed dog. She is the only female in the main cast and can only be seen by kind people.
  • Chai: A cream masala chai-themed dog. He has a spoiled personality and can only be seen by lonely people.
  • Cafe: A brown coffee-themed dog. He can only be seen by mature people.

Toys

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The tea-scented Ocha-Ken toys were the original product of the brand, released by Sega Toys in collaboration with Horipro in 2002.[1][2]

There are also cat characters known as Ocha-Neko.[3] In 2007, a new group of characters based on various desserts, entitled "Ocha-Ken Sweets", was introduced.[4] Special toys have been released as a bonus when purchasing certain bottled teas.[5][6]

Animated series

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The Ocha-Ken animated series aired from October 2003[7] to March 2004 on Kids Station and was aimed at a younger audience. There are 26 episodes, approximately 3½ minutes long, which include a short story and a lesson.

The third season of the anime, Ocha-ken: Ryokutto Monogatari, had its episodes distributed through special vending machines, where the episodes can be watched on Nintendo DS game consoles.[1]

Video games

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Game Boy Advance

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  • Ocha-Ken no Heya (MTO, December 19, 2003)[8]
  • Ocha-Ken Kururin: Honwaka Puzzle de Hottoshiyou (MTO, October 28, 2004)[9]
  • Ocha-Ken no Yumebouken (MTO, April 28, 2005)[10]
  • Ocha-Ken no Boukenjima (MTO, December 22, 2005)[11]

Nintendo DS

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  • Ocha-Ken no Heya DS (MTO, April 27, 2006)[12]
  • Ocha-Ken no Heya DS2 (MTO, January 18, 2007)[13]
  • Ocha-Ken no Daibouken - Honwaku Yumemiru Sekai Ryoukou (MTO, December 20, 2007)[14]
  • Ocha-Ken no Heya DS3 (MTO, May 22, 2008)[15]
  • Ocha-Ken no Daibouken 2 - Yumeippai no Omochabako (MTO, December 18, 2008)[16]
  • Ocha-Ken no Heya DS4 (MTO, November 2009)[17]

Nintendo 3DS

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Arcade

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iOS

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  • Ocha-Ken App (Comdoors, September 13, 2012)[21]
  • Ocha-Ken Solitaire (Wondershake, December 16, 2013)[22]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Dog Characters - What's Cool in Japan". Web Japan. 2005. Archived from the original on 2024-12-22. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  2. ^ a b "セガトイズとホリプロ、共同でキャラクター事業を開始――新キャラクター"お茶犬"登場" [Sega Toys and Horipro launch joint character business - Introducing new character "Ocha-Ken"]. ASCII.jp (in Japanese). 2002-01-22. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  3. ^ "懐かしの可愛さ!一大ブーム起こした「お茶犬&お茶猫」がリニューアルしてプライズ化―ぬいぐるみやクッションを展開" [Nostalgic cuteness! The hugely popular "Ocha-ken & Ocha-neko" have been renewed and are now available as prizes - plush toys and cushions]. Inside (in Japanese). 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  4. ^ ""お茶犬Sweets"メモ帳が もれなくもらえるキャンペーン実施!" ["Ocha-Inu Sweets" Memo Pad: A campaign where everyone can receive a gift!]. FamilyMart (in Japanese). 2007-03-08. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  5. ^ "生茶パンダ、Qoo、お茶犬…覚えていますか? 消えゆくペットボトル飲料の「オマケ」文" [Do you remember Namacha Panda, Qoo, and Ocha-Ken? The disappearance of the "freebie" culture of bottled drinks]. Daily Sports (in Japanese). 2024-02-24. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  6. ^ "伊藤園、首かけでグッズプレゼント、茶系飲料で3連続展開" [Ito En to release free merchandise with neck straps, three consecutive tea drinks]. The Japan Food Journal (in Japanese). 2003-05-07. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  7. ^ Green, Scott (2013-10-30). "Remember the Anime of Fall 2003?". Crunchyroll. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  8. ^ "お茶犬の部屋". MTO. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  9. ^ "今日はGBA『お茶犬くるりん ほんわかパズルで「ほっ」としよ?』の発売20周年!" [Today marks the 20th anniversary of the release of the GBA game "Ocha-Ken Kururin: Relax with a Heartwarming Puzzle!"]. Game Drive (in Japanese). 2024-10-28. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  10. ^ "お茶犬の夢冒険". MTO. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  11. ^ "お茶犬の冒険島 ~ほんわか夢のアイランド~ 公式ページ". MTO. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  12. ^ "お茶犬の部屋DS 公式ページ". MTO. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  13. ^ "お茶犬の部屋DS2 公式ページ". MTO. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  14. ^ "お茶犬の部屋DS2 公式ページ". MTO. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  15. ^ 深見参段; ふじのっち; ウワーマン; メルヘン須藤. "お茶犬の部屋DS3 (DS)のレビュー・評価・感想". Famitsu (in Japanese). Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  16. ^ "『お茶犬の大冒険2』公式サイトを公開! ムービーもたっぷり - 電撃オンライン" [The official website for "Ocha-Ken's Great Adventure 2" has been released! Plenty of movies included!]. Dengeki Online (in Japanese). 2008-12-08. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  17. ^ "新たなお茶犬が仲間入りして,「お茶犬の部屋DS4(仮称)」今冬発売が決定". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). 3 August 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  18. ^ "お茶犬といつもなかよし". ニンテンドー3DS 任天堂. Nintendo. 2011-12-01.
  19. ^ "メダリンク公式ウェブサイト". medalink.sega.jp. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  20. ^ "お茶犬のパズル". AM-J. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  21. ^ "セガトイズとホリプロが共同開発した元祖癒しキャラ「お茶犬」のARアプリ登場!" [An AR app featuring Ocha-Ken, the original soothing character jointly developed by Sega Toys and Horipro, is now available!]. PR TIMES (in Japanese). 2012-10-02. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  22. ^ "お茶犬と一緒に定番ゲームでほっとしよ!iOS「お茶犬ソリティア」配信開始" [Relax with a classic game with Ocha-Ken! iOS "Ocha-Ken Solitaire" now available]. Gamer (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-08-30.
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