Inai Inai Baa!
A lively NHK program for infants since 1996.
Inai Inai Baa! is a Japanese children's television program broadcast by NHK Educational TV for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners aged 0–6. It premiered on April 1, 1996, and features gymnastics, songs, and educational content. The program is one of NHK's most popular children's shows, following Okaasan to Issho and Miitsuketa!.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Children's television series
- Country
- Japan
- Language
- Japanese
- Runtime
- 15 min
- Company
- NHK
- Channel
- NHK Educational TV
- First aired
- 1 April 1996
- Related
- China: Yiyayiya
- Vietnam: Ú Òa!
- Myanmar: Tu Tu Yay Wah
Facts from the source article.
Overview
NHK's program for infants started broadcasting in 1996. Its audience rating as a children's program is the most popular, following Okaasan to Issho and Miitsuketa!. The name includes "っ!" to convey "full of energy". A pilot version aired on BS2 on January 15 and 16, 1996. Broadcasting began on NHK BS2 Television on April 1, 1996, then moved to educational television on October 7, 1996. From April 5, 1999, there were morning and evening broadcasts. Regular appearances include Wanwan, a Sister (O-chan as of 2023), and a Puppet (Poupo as of 2023). Sisters have been elementary school girls replaced every four years (only the first three years). Puppets change irregularly. As of 2021, localized versions are produced in Shanghai, Vietnam, and Myanmar.
Songs
The show's many songs are designed to be fun and exciting for babies and young children, each lasting only 1 to 2 minutes. Over the years, well-known lyricists, composers, picture book authors, musicians, and scriptwriters have contributed songs. Initially the team did not intend to involve famous people, but were introduced through people involved in the program. Gymnastics songs that play in every episode change every few years and feature movements to help develop the infant mind. Lifestyle habit songs (e.g., eating, brushing teeth, tidying up) appear in puppet shows; even when a girl is replaced, the videos are kept. Examples include "Looks like something good will happen!" (2022–), "Fruits Purupuru" (2025–), "Maple Tree Song" (2011–2023), "Yaho☆" (2023–), "Tetotetotetote" (2019–2023, 2025–), and "Ah, It's Delicious!" (2023–).
Specials
In January 2016, a half-hour special marked the show's 20th anniversary, which officially arrived that April. It brought back classic segments like a gymnastics song medley and a felt puppet scene featuring past girls and characters, though Penta was absent. The full version of the anniversary track "Always Together" was included. The special came out on DVD, Blu-ray, and streaming platforms, alongside released messages and photos from former cast members.
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