Summer Refreshment: New Illustration by Production I.G Shows Rilakkuma and Friends by the Pool

The animation studio Production I.G has released a new summer illustration drawn exclusively for the short anime "Rilakkuma." The "Summer Joy Illustration" (夏満喫イラスト) features the beloved bear Rilakkuma, KoriRilakkuma, the yellow bird Kiiroitori, and other characters relaxing by a pool. The release followed the 16th episode of the current season, which has been airing on TBS and other channels since April 2026. The new season is titled "Tekuteku Sekai Ryokou" ("Leisurely World Travel") and follows the characters on relaxed adventures around the globe. Production I.G, known for masterpieces like "Ghost in the Shell" and "Haikyu!!," lends a lovingly hand-drawn aesthetic to the cute franchise from San-X. The series is directed by Masami Itazu (first part) and Yumi Kamakura (second part); the music is composed by Kota Yokozeki, Yoshiya Ikeda, and Mizuki Kanno. Japanese singer Rira Ikuta contributes the opening theme "stay with me" and also serves as the narrator. Fans can watch new episodes on Saturdays at 9:25 AM on TV or from 9:30 AM via streaming on platforms such as ABEMA, Prime Video, dAnime Store, Hulu, U-NEXT, and many others. The summer illustration is an invitation to enjoy a relaxing time by the water with the characters—perfectly in line with the leisurely lifestyle that Rilakkuma embodies.