Popotan
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Episodes (12)
- 1EP 1
Daichi seeks help from time-traveling sisters to impress his classmate Asuka.
Jul 18, 2003Daichi visits a mansion to impress Asuka, a classmate who believes in ghosts. There he meets sisters Ai, Mai, and Mii, along with their maid Mea. The group travels through time and space, unknown to Daichi. After learning of his feelings for Asuka, the sisters agree to help him create fake haunted house photographs. At school, classmates initially believe the rumors but later discover the truth. Thinking Asuka now hates him, Daichi returns to Ai for comfort and falls asleep. Upon waking, he finds himself in a field of dandelions as the mansion vanishes and Asuka arrives to see him.
- 2EP 2
Mai struggles with temporal isolation while forming a brief but meaningful bond with classmate Konami.
Jul 25, 2003Mai finds her time travel journey depressing due to the recurring loss of friends and fears her departure causes them equal sorrow. Determined to protect herself, she initially resolves to keep classmates at a distance during high school. However, her stance softens when classmate Konami shows genuine interest. They grow closer while completing a class assignment that involves drawing portraits of one another. Although Mai recognizes that their connection will inevitably be short-lived because of her condition, Konami persuades her that the timing or location of their time together is irrelevant. He emphasizes that the memories and emotions shared between them hold the true significance, helping Mai find comfort in their fleeting friendship.
- 3EP 3
Mii Cosplays as Magical Girl Lilo and Heals Miyuki
Aug 1, 2003Mii chooses to dress as Magical Girl Lilo, a character created for Popotan. Ai purchases the custom costume, allowing Mii to roam the town and assist those who believe she is a genuine magical girl. Her efforts vary in success until she encounters Miyuki, a peer confined to a hospital by an incurable illness. Insisting on continuing their mission, Mii convinces Miyuki to wear a matching outfit. The pair sets out together, but Miyuki eventually collapses from physical exhaustion. Mii then utilizes her abilities, supported by her sisters, to permanently cure Miyuki’s condition.
- 4EP 4
Mea repairs a doll for a mysterious spirit while her sisters vanish in an enchanted dream.
Aug 8, 2003While alone in the mansion's Christmas shop, Mea encounters a nameless girl who demands she repair a doll. The girl disappears upon the sisters' return, leaving the doll behind. Mea eventually agrees to fix it. The following day, Mai and Mii go missing while exploring an abandoned village. When the girl returns for her doll, she references the village before vanishing again. After Ai also disappears, the girl reappears and reveals she is a lonely spirit who trapped the sisters in a dream fulfilling their deepest desires. She tries to enchant Mea but fails because Mea has no dreams, allowing the sisters to escape the spell.
- 5EP 5
The mansion visits a construction site where the girls search for Shizuku and play ping-pong.
Aug 15, 2003The mansion arrives at a location where an amusement park is under construction. Ai encounters a popotan who claims to know the whereabouts of Shizuku, the individual they are seeking. A dandelion character urges all the girls, including Mea, to attend a spring festival and participate in the Miss Spring Bloom contest. She also directs them to visit several hot springs and engage in ping-pong matches. Following these instructions, the group reaches their destination, which is now in ruins. While a large field is nearby, Shizuku remains missing, though the girls gain a mental vision of her appearance. Ultimately, the mansion departs, leaving Mai and Mea behind.
- 6EP 6
Ai and Mii search for Mai near the mansion surrounded by an amusement park.
Aug 22, 2003Five years later, the mansion reappears in its original location, now encircled by an amusement park that was previously under construction. Utilizing her ability to communicate with flowers, Ai determines that Mai is nearby, which explains why the group has returned to the same temporal coordinates. Ai and Mii begin a search for her. Meanwhile, Mai learns from friends that the mansion is a new park attraction and waits to intercept the pair upon their evening return. Although Mai is happy to see them, she desires a normal life. However, after Ai clarifies that their bodies do not age, Mai accepts her inevitable fate to continue their journey.
- 7EP 7
Daichi Revisits the Mansion and Discovers Keith's Deception
Aug 29, 2003Three decades after his initial visit, Daichi recognizes a mansion from a photograph of his daughter at the beach. He returns to investigate, but Ai is unsure how to respond. Keith, a Guide serving under Shizuku, compels Daichi to depart. Ai develops romantic feelings for Keith, which shift dramatically when he assaults Daichi after the latter returns to verify his suspicions regarding the mansion's true nature. The girls assist Daichi, leading to the revelation of Keith's actual identity. Consequently, Ai's affection for Keith dissolves due to his betrayal and violence. Having learned about the girls' journey, Daichi agrees to maintain their secret.
- 8EP 8
Mii persuades shrine maiden Nono to decorate a Shinto shrine for Christmas despite her grandfather's strict opposition.
Sep 5, 2003The mansion arrives at a Shinto shrine where Mii meets Nono, a shrine maiden in training. Nono loves Christmas, but her grandfather, the strict Shinto priest training her, disapproves of her practicing non-Shintoist ways. Nono repeatedly visits the mansion's Christmas shop despite her grandfather's disapproval. Mii persuades the girls to place Christmas decorations on the shrine. When Nono's grandfather sees this, he tells her to leave and that she cannot continue her training, so she stays in the mansion. Despite the harsh words, the pair miss each other's company. The grandfather relents, so Mii arranges for Nono and him to share a Christmas celebration together.
- 9EP 9
The sisters revisit Konami's former city, leading to a poignant reunion with her daughter.
Sep 12, 2003Decades after their journey, the girls return to the city where Konami once resided. Upon arrival, Mai, the middle sister, confuses Konami's daughter with her namesake, causing initial friction due to the daughter's resentment over her name. Their bond strengthens when Mai searches through trash to retrieve a hidden sketchbook, which is eventually returned by classmates. During this time, Konami's daughter reveals that her mother waited for Mai's return, deepening Mai's sorrow regarding the consequences of their travels on those left behind. After Mai departs suddenly, her friend is devastated. In her grief, Konami's daughter finally recognizes that her new companion is the same girl whose portrait her mother had drawn long ago, connecting the past and present through shared loss.
- 10EP 10
Mea struggles with past trauma while Keith plans a visit to Shizuku's mansion.
Sep 19, 2003Mai feels distressed after meeting Konami's daughter and attempts to erase her memories of Konami. Mea intervenes, retrieving a portrait Konami drew of Mai, and stores it with her keepsakes. This action triggers memories of her duty guarding two brothers during a past journey. Mea later meets Keith, who announces he will take the girls to see Shizuku. Due to her past experiences, Mea is reluctant to allow the three sisters to visit Shizuku. However, Ai discovers the mansion's next destination through some dandelions, leading the sisters to celebrate the news. Mea attempts to prevent Keith from entering the mansion but is easily overpowered and left behind as the mansion disappears.
- 11EP 11
Shizuku offers the girls a choice to end their time travel journey at their preferred moments.
Sep 26, 2003Keith brings the girls to meet Shizuku, concluding their search. Shizuku reveals that she summoned them because they are tired of traveling through time. She presents each girl with the option to either continue their journey or stop it at a specific time of their choosing. During their discussion, the girls realize they want to stop at different points. Mai decides to go live with Konami, Mii chooses to live with Nono, and Ai opts to live with the young Daichi. Unable to directly face each other, Mai and Mii leave letters expressing their wishes for happiness. Ai stays behind with Unagi, silently wishing her friends well as she departs alone.
- 12EP 12
The sisters reflect on their journey and prepare to depart with Mea.
Oct 3, 2003The narrative opens with Daisuke and Daichi’s younger child questioning Mai, Konami’s daughter, about the sisters following a final time travel event. The story then shifts to the sisters revisiting their most cherished memories with specific companions while Shizuku and Keith stand guard. Ai resumes her role as Daichi’s teacher, Mai returns to school with Konami, and Mii reunites with Nono and her grandfather. Despite valuing these individual connections, the group realizes their bond with each other is paramount. Mea arrives to resume their travels, prompting heartfelt farewells. Ai hopes Keith finds his own special place, mirroring the sisters' experiences. The episode concludes with Mai finishing her account of the travels to Daisuke just as a light signals the mansion's arrival.
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Frequently asked questions
- How many episodes does Popotan have?
- Popotan has 12 episodes.
- When did Popotan come out?
- Popotan came out in 2003.
- Which studio made Popotan?
- Popotan was produced by Shaft.
- Who directed Popotan?
- Popotan was directed by Tsuguo Ozawa.
- Is Popotan finished?
- Current status of Popotan: Finished.