Season 1
13 episodes Apr 19, 2019 7.7
Rilakkuma and Kaoru
2019
Ended • 1 Season • 13 Episodes
Director: Masahito Kobayashi
Creator: Aki Kondo
Overview
Kaoru's unexpected new roommate is Rilakkuma, a bear with a zipper on its back that spends each day just lazing around -- but is impossible to hate.
Seasons
1 listed- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 13 episodes
- First aired
- Apr 19, 2019
- Last aired
- Jul 5, 2019
- Episode length
- 12m
- Network
- Netflix
Latest episode: S1 E13 Moving Out (Jul 5, 2019)
Cast
6 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Bear Necessities of Adulthood
I didn’t expect to care about a bear who won’t get off the couch. But then, I didn’t expect to recognize myself in Kaoru either—25, stuck in an office job that feels like a slow-motion shrug, coming home to an apartment that’s just a slightly nicer version of the place she left that morning. Rilakkuma and Kaoru isn’t just a stop-motion series about a lazy bear and his overworked roommate; it’s a quiet, oddly profound meditation on the ways we numb ourselves to the weight of ordinary life.
And somehow, it makes that weight feel lighter. The premise is deceptively simple: Kaoru, a young office worker in Tokyo, returns home one day to find Rilakkuma—a plush, perpetually relaxed bear with a zipper on his back—lounging on her couch like he owns the place. He doesn’t talk, he doesn’t work, and he doesn’t seem to have any ambitions beyond napping, snacking, and occasionally photobombing Kaoru’s attempts to take a decent selfie.
Yet, despite his utter uselessness (or perhaps because of it), he becomes the emotional anchor of the series. The show’s genius lies in how it transforms this dynamic into something unexpectedly tender. Rilakkuma isn’t just a roommate; he’s a living, breathing (or, more accurately, not breathing) rejection of the grind that defines Kaoru’s life.
And in a culture that often equates self-worth with productivity, that’s a radical act.
The stop-motion animation is a revelation. But the tactile, handcrafted quality of the puppets—Rilakkuma’s slightly lumpy fur, the way his ears flop when he’s particularly pleased with himself—gives the series a warmth that CGI often lacks. There’s something deeply human about the imperfections: the slight wobble of a puppet’s head, the way Kaoru’s hair sometimes looks like it’s been gently mussed by an animator’s fingers.
It’s the kind of detail that makes you forget you’re watching a constructed world. As The Verge noted in its coverage of the series, the stop-motion technique "elevates Rilakkuma from a cute mascot to a character with real presence," and it’s hard to disagree. The medium forces the show to slow down, to linger on small moments—a shared bowl of ramen, a failed attempt at baking, the way Kaoru’s posture slumps a little less when Rilakkuma is nearby.
Audience Opinions
Audience 7.3/10
"A charming and visually delightful stop-motion series that offers comfort and nostalgia, though its simplicity may not appeal to everyone."
Viewers appreciate the unique stop-motion animation style and the soothing, comforting atmosphere of the series, which blends everyday life with whimsical characters. The gentle humor and relatable struggles of the protagonist, Kaoru, resonate well, making it a relaxing watch. latestnetflix.com's read is that however, some find the pacing slow and the plot too simplistic, lacking depth for those seeking more complex storytelling.
What viewers praise
- Unique animation style The stop-motion animation is praised for its creativity and visual appeal, setting it apart from traditional animated series.
- Comforting atmosphere The series is often described as soothing and nostalgic, providing a sense of comfort and relaxation.
- Relatable protagonist Kaoru’s everyday struggles and growth are relatable, adding emotional depth to the lighthearted tone.
- Gentle humor The humor is subtle and endearing, contributing to the series' warm and inviting tone.
Common complaints
- Slow pacing Some viewers find the series too slow, with minimal plot progression in each episode.
- Simplistic storytelling The plot is often criticized for being too simple, lacking the complexity some audiences expect.
- Limited appeal Those looking for fast-paced or action-driven content may find it unengaging.
Recommended for
Fans of stop-motion animation Lovers of comforting, slice-of-life stories Those seeking nostalgic and relaxing content Viewers who enjoy gentle humor Fans of San-X characters
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsNetflix’s "Rilakkuma and Kaoru" (2019): The Stop-Motion Experiment That Charmed Fans—And Divided Them
Netflix’s Rilakkuma and Kaoru (2019) was a gamble: a stop-motion adaptation of San-X’s beloved Rilakkuma plush franchise, reimagined as a slice-of-life dramedy for adults. The series, directed by Aki Kondo and Masahito Kobayashi, followed office worker Kaoru (Mikako Tabe) as she navigated stress, loneliness, and the surreal antics of her lazy bear roommate, Rilakkuma. latestnetflix.com's view is that while the show earned praise for its visual craftsmanship, it also sparked debate—particularly over its protagonist’s relatability and the tonal shift from the source material.
From Plush to Puppets: The Making of a Stop-Motion Oddity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BquAgWVKmXI
Rilakkuma and Kaoru stood out in Netflix’s anime lineup for its painstaking stop-motion animation, a rarity for a series of its length (13 episodes, per 
). The creators, in an interview tied to the show’s release, revealed the process was as labor-intensive as it looked. "We wanted to preserve the tactile feel of the original Rilakkuma plushies," one creator said in a Netflix promotional feature . The team built full-scale sets and puppets, with Rilakkuma’s fur reportedly requiring hours of grooming between takes.
The decision to center the story on Kaoru—a 25-year-old office worker drowning in mundane frustrations—was deliberate. "We wanted to explore the quiet struggles of adulthood," the creators noted . But the choice to pair her with a silent, bear-shaped enigma (voiced only by sound effects) added a surreal layer. The contrast between Kaoru’s grounded, often exasperated narration and Rilakkuma’s whimsical detachment became the show’s defining dynamic.
Fan Backlash: Why Some Viewers Hated Kaoru
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJLLnyAMWso
Despite its visual charm, Rilakkuma and Kaoru faced criticism for its protagonist. A vocal subset of fans argued Kaoru was "unlikable" or "too negative," with one YouTube reviewer calling her "the embodiment of millennial burnout we’re all tired of seeing" . The complaint wasn’t just about her personality—it was about the show’s tonal balance. Rilakkuma’s childlike antics (like napping in a rice cooker or hijacking Kaoru’s futon) clashed with her existential dread, leaving some viewers frustrated.
Others defended the series as a refreshing departure from the saccharine Rilakkuma spin-offs of the past. "It’s not a kids’ show," one creator insisted in the Netflix interview . "We wanted to reflect the way adults actually interact with stress—and how absurdity can be a coping mechanism."
A Cult Following, But No Second Season (Yet)
The series earned a respectable 7.3/10 on SensCritique , with praise for its animation and nostalgic appeal. Yet, despite the buzz, Netflix hasn’t announced a renewal. Rumors swirled about behind-the-scenes challenges—stop-motion’s slow production pace and high costs may have played a role—but nothing was confirmed. For now, Rilakkuma and Kaoru remains a one-season experiment, beloved by some and polarizing to others.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.