Rilu Rilu Fairilu (Japanese: リルリルフェアリル, Hepburn: Riru Riru Feariru) is a character franchise created in collaboration by Sanrio and Sega Sammy Holdings, illustrated by character designer Ai Setani (Kirimichan).[1][2] It is the second Sanrio franchise that was handled by two companies, the first being Jewelpet.[3] The franchise was officially launched in December 2015.[4][5]
The series has received three anime adaptions by Studio Deen, titled Rilu Rilu Fairilu: Yōsei no Door,[6]Rilu Rilu Fairilu: Mahō no Kagami,[7] and Oshiete Mahou no Pendulum: Rilu Rilu Fairilu.[8]
In a magical world of Little Fairilu, there are small magical fairies representing flowers, insects, and other entities named Fairilu, who are all born from the Fairilu Seed. Each Fairilu is born with their own key, the Fairilu Key, that can open magical doors, casting magic spells. If the Fairilu finds the right door, they can finally grow into a full-fledged fairy. The doors also link to the human world. While meeting new friends, Fairilus must study and go to school to learn about the world in which they live.
The series focuses on a Flower Fairilu named Lip, and her friends in Little Fairlu. The series follows Lip's overall life in Little Fairilu while making new friends and learning from everything around her, growing up day after day. It also tells about the Fairilu friends' adventures in the human world, where they can meet their human partners who support their dreams and are willing to help each other fulfill them.
The third season focuses on a human girl called Arisu Hanazono, who discovers a magical pendulum and book one day, summoning Fairilus. Arisu initially had many worries, but by meeting the friendly Fairilus and traveling into their homeworld, Little Fairilu, she gets a chance to solve her problems and change herself.
Lip (りっぷ, Rippu) (Voiced by: Yumiri Hanamori[9]) is a pink tulip Fairilu who cries easily, but has a kind heart and does not give up. When Lip was about to be born from her Fairilu Seed, she could not open the Door of Birth, but was encouraged by Nozomu. Lip eventually was born into the world and always thinks of him. In season 3, she acts like Spica's younger sister. Lip is also in love with Drop, Nozomu's Fairilu form and not the same person from previous two seasons.
Himawari (ひまわり) (Voiced by: Aya Uchida[9]): As her name implies, Himawari is a sunflower Fairilu. She is an innocent and cheerful fairy who is good at dancing as well as being popular with everyone.
Sumire (すみれ) (Voiced by: Rina Hidaka[9]) is a violet Fairilu. She is good at painting and likes beautiful things that bring a little happiness. She is extremely sensitive. Her dream is to be a fashion designer.
Rose (ローズ, Rōzu) (Voiced by: Aina Kusuda[9]) is a red rose Fairilu. She is hard-working, yet prideful and a little clumsy. Initially, Rose saw Lip as her rival and wanted to be alone, but with Lip's effort, she gradually gets along with other Fairilu. In season 3, she is good at hair styling and cosmetic blending. She is also in love with Juli (Yuuto's Fairilu form, but not the same person from season 1 &2).
Rin (りん) (Voiced by: Satomi Satō) is a carefree gentian Fairilu. She was born one year later than the other Fairilus of Lip's generation. Her Fairilu Seed was accidentally sent to the human world, as well as being picked up and kept by Karen. Before Rin was born, she constantly encouraged Karen who was in a hospital. Rin finally was born into the world with Karen's encouragement, and becomes friends with other Fairilu. In season 3, she likes making perfumes, hoping to create perfumes that can support other people's feelings.
Olive (オリーブ, Orību) (Voiced by: Atsushi Abe is an olive Fairilu.
Fairilu Gole (フェアリルゴール, Fearīru Gōru) (Voiced by: Yusuke Shirai) is the person who watches Fairilus. Originally named Ren, he is a water lily Fairilu. In season 3, Fairilu Gole appears in his child form as Ren and is a friend of all Fairilu.
Fairilu Marge (フェアリルマージ, Feariru Māji) (Voiced by: Megumi Toyoguchi) is the headmistress of Saint Fairilu School. Originally named Sonia, she is a sandersonia Fairilu.
Kirara (きらら) and Yurara (ゆらら) (Voiced by: Saki Ogasawara and Yui Watanabe) are a pair of unicorn Fairilu twins.
Powawa (ぽわわ) (Voiced by: Misaki Kuno) is Lip's pet dog.
Powalisa (ポワリザ, Powariza) (Voiced by: Shirori Mizutani (S1)→Mamiko Noto (S2)) is Rose' pet dog.
Teacher Bokkuri (ぼっくり先生, Bokkuri-sensei) (Voiced by: Masahito Yabe) is a pinecone Fairilu.
Omatsu-san (おまつさん) (Voiced by: Miho Wataya is a pinecone Fairilu who is Bokkuri's wife.
Teacher Kingyo (きんぎょ先生, Kingyo-sensei) (Voiced by: Saki Ogasawara) is a goldfish Fairilu.
Teacher Leon (レオン先生, Reon-sensei) (Voiced by: Atsushi Abe) is a chameleon Fairilu.
Nozomu is the main human protagonist of the series' first two seasons. He is a kind and gentle 12-year-old (13 in season 2) middle school student who is searching for the Fairilu's existence after his grandmother gave him a picture book about them. Apart from the first episode, Nozomu never had any direct contact with them until episode 55, when he finally meets Lip again. In season 3, Nozomu appears as a Fairilu named Drop who is in love with Lip like his human self.
Karen is Nozomu's younger sister who debuts in and becomes the human protagonist of season 2. Karen was in a hospital of a foreign country when she discovered Rin's Fairilu Seed, which seemed to give her encouragement, and she cherished it. Later in Little Fairilu, where Rin's seed was brought back in order to let her be born into the world, Karen encouraged Rin to open the Door of Birth, which Rin finally succeeded.
Arisu Hanazono (花園 ありす, Hanazono Arisu)
Voiced by: Emiri Iwai
The main human protagonist of season 3, Arisu is a middle school student who is always worried. Being a transfer student and not good at talking with other people, she cannot make friends easily. One day, Arisu discovered Magical Pendulum and a magic book in a grocery store, which made her went to Little Fairilu with Lip and Spica after meeting them.
The franchise was first announced in Press Conference on December 11, 2015, as the second collaboration work between Sanrio and Sega Sammy Holdings, meant for the younger female demographic. It was revealed also that the series will have themes relating to flowers and keys, as well as mermaids and insects with characters officially based on the said themes.[10] Merchandise of the series is officially planned, including stationary, toys, raincoats, clothing and more and was released in March 2016. In games, the series will appear in the next installment of the Apron of Magic Arcade game.[11][12] More information of the franchise was unveiled on the 2016 Sanrio Expo on January 30, 2016, which includes the Sanrio Puroland Mascot form of Lip as well as revealed merchandise.[13]
An anime adaptation of the series, titled Rilu Rilu Fairilu: Yousei no Door (Japanese: リルリルフェアリル ～妖精のドア～, Hepburn: Riru Riru Feariru ~Yōsei no Doa~, Rilu Rilu Fairilu: The Fairy's Door), began airing in all TXN stations in Japan on February 6, 2016, replacing Jewelpet: Magical Change on its initial timeslot, and ended on March 25, 2017. It is directed by Sakura Gojō and written by Aya Matsui.[14] A sequel, titled Rilu Rilu Fairilu ~Mahō no Kagami~ (Japanese: リルリルフェアリル～魔法の鏡～, Hepburn: Riru Riru Feariru ~Mahō no Kagami~, Rilu Rilu Fairilu: Magical Mirror) was announced by Sanrio via the anime's official Twitter account,[15][7] began airing on April 7, 2017, and ended on March 30, 2018. It is directed by Sakura Gojō and Nana Imanaka, written by Akemi Omode. A third season, titled Oshiete Mahō no Pendulum ~Rilu Rilu Fairilu~ (Japanese: おしえて魔法のペンデュラム～リルリルフェアリル～, Hepburn: Oshiete Mahō no Penduramu ~Riru Riru Feariru~, "Rilu Rilu Fairilu: Tell Me, Magical Pendulum") began airing on Kids Station, Animax and Tokyo MX on July 7, July 8 and July 15, 2018, respectively.[8] It ended on January 5, 2019.
