Toei Animation’s TV animation series Asataro, the Onion Samurai has been chosen as one of the Jury Recommended Works in the Animation Division at the 2009 Japan Media Arts Festival.

The animation is based on author Kazuyoshi Iino’s popular picture book Negibouzu no Asataro published by Fukuinkan Shoten Publishers. It aired at 6:30 am on TV asahi Network from October 2008 to September 2009.  The heroine Negibouzu no Asataro and other adorable vegetable and fruit motif characters starred in a moving story of a journey. As a period animation, Asataro, the Onion Samurai proved popular with children and adults alike.  Japan Media Arts Festival introduces creative activities expressed in works of art, animations, films, games, online works, manga, and other genres. The Festival has been held each year since 1997, with the 2009 event attracting 2,592 entries from 54 nations and regions. The winners will be featured at the following exhibition: Presentation of Division Prizes, Other Prizes, and Awards Ceremony  February 2nd (Tue.), 2010 at Tokyo Midtown Hall Exhibition of Award-winning Works  From Wednesday, Feb. 3rd to Sunday, Feb. 14th, 2010 at the National Art Center, Tokyo