Children Growing Up

Ōkiku naru Ko (大きくなる子 Children growing up) was an educational Japanese show, produced by Studio Nova, that aired on NHK through April 7th, 1959, to March 18th, 1988. It was created for 1st and 2nd-year primary school students in Japan, teaching them lessons like morals and how to act at school. The show is more notable for the Monkey Puppet meme portrayed by the main protagonist Pedro.[1] In the 1980s and 1990s, the series was also aired in Latin America under the name "Niños en crecimiento". This was the penultimate season of the show, airing from April 13th, 1984, to April 4th, 1986, in Japan.[2]

Directed by —, Children Growing Up leans on a strong ensemble — Reiko Tajima, Kazuko Sugiyama, Makoto Kôsaka — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about kids titles of 1984.