The reason for the argument is finally revealed in the last few minutes of the episode. It turns out to be that their father wanted to buy an expensive training set. Naturally, Maruko is left deflated, thinking, “All those tears over something like this...?” Just like Maruko, viewers are likely left dumbfounded, but can’t help but admire the cleverness that all the heartfelt scenes had served as a set-up for the punchline. This is exactly what makes Chibi Maruko-chan so special.

The anime Chibi Maruko-chan, currently streaming in full, is based on the manga by Momoko Sakura and first aired in 1990. Set in Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture (now Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka City), the comedy portrays the daily life of third-grader Maruko, her family, and friends. Despite occasional changes in voice actors, it remains a beloved long-running series, set to celebrate its 35th anniversary in January 2025.

 (C)さくらプロダクション／日本アニメーション

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