Mr. Men Little Miss is a renowned book series created in the 1970s. Featuring nearly one hundred characters, each with distinctive traits and unique personalities, the series has captivated generations of readers worldwide with its simple yet profound approach to emotional education.
The series celebrates the values of uniqueness and diversity through the adventures of Mr. Impossible, Mr. Grumpy, Little Miss Sunshine, Mr. Calm, Mr. Bump, Little Miss Brave, Mr. Strong, Mr. Tickle, Little Miss Inventor, Little Miss Naughty, Little Miss Princess, and Little Miss Surprise. Each episode explores the distinctive characteristics of one of the more than ninety characters of the series, who interacts with the other protagonists, and embarks on small adventures that promote respect and inclusion for young viewers.
The project was closely overseen by Sanrio GmbH and Maga Animation Studio, who modernised the visual style while preserving the original spirit of the books The series was written and directed by Francesca Pietrobelli and Eleonora Di Nardo, who combined a faithful representation of the original material of the books, with visual and narrative innovation. The animated series continues the legacy of the books, which for over 50 years — especially in English- and French-speaking countries — have stood as a prime example of soft learning and edutainment. Through engaging and entertaining stories, Mr. Men Little Miss Mini Adventures helps children recognise their emotions and appreciate everyone’s uniqueness.
Alessia Garofalo, the studio’s production designer, supported the visual development of the project, ensuring consistency between characters and settings, and balancing classic and contemporary elements in each episode.
«Working on this series has been a true creative journey – said Pietrobelli, also animation supervisor – Balancing modernisation with respect for the Hargreaves books required great attention to detail and care, we’re proud of the result we’ve achieved.»
Di Nardo, who also handled editing, added: «It was also an enriching experience in terms of cultural exchange, allowing us to integrate different perspectives and blend an Italian creative approach with deep respect for these books, which are considered cornerstones of children’s literature in the UK.»
Silvia Figini, Chief Operating Officer Sanrio (EMEA, India, Oceania) and Mr. Men (worldwide), added: «Mr. Men Little Miss Mini Adventures is a little gem of animation – fresh, vibrant, and perfectly in tune with our times. A natural evolution of the Mr. Men Little Miss universe, it successfully embodies everything that made these characters so beloved over the years — humour, lightness, and an extraordinary ability to speak to everyone — into a modern, web-native format. The universality of these stories makes them timeless and perfectly adaptable to the language of new generations.»
The 2D animation style, enriched with creative transitions inspired by theatrical stage design, reflects the simplicity and elegance of Hargreaves’ original character designs. The soundtrack, composed by Christian Gramaglia and mixed by Paolo Piccardo, along with the dubbing by British actors coordinated by Sample, completes the series’ aesthetic.
«The ongoing collaboration with Sanrio – said Massimo Carrier Ragazzi, CEO of Maga Animation Studio – was crucial in preserving the identity of the original characters and stories, while also integrating innovative elements capable of engaging today’s audiences without compromising visual consistency. We are proud of the quality achieved in this project, which features excellent direction and strong narrative depth. We sincerely thank Sanrio for the trust placed in our studio and for involving us in a project that highlights meaningful characters and stories that resonate with audiences of all ages. At the heart of this collaboration is the message that every individual, in their uniqueness, is valuable just as they are.»
The episodes are available on the official YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mrmenofficial