Mirmo Zibang!

Mirmo Zibang! began as a manga by Hiromu Shinozuka, serialized in Ciao from July 2001 through December 2005 and collected in twelve volumes by Shogakukan. The print series earned major Japanese manga prizes in the early 2000s and drew an English licensing deal with Viz Media. Studio Hibari adapted the story for television as Wagamama Fairy: Mirumo de Pon!, which first aired on TV Tokyo on April 6, 2002. That TV adaptation ran for 172 episodes, wrapping in September 2005, and was brought to North American audiences under the shortened title Mirmo! via Viz Media and ShoPro Entertainment.

The anime was produced by Studio Hibari and premiered on TV Tokyo in April 2002, running weekly until late September 2005. Creator Hiromu Shinozuka is credited for the original manga, and Viz Media handled English licensing.

The original manga received two significant industry honors, winning the Kodansha Manga Award in 2003 and the Shogakukan Manga Award for children's manga in 2004. Those recognitions helped raise the profile of the series during its run.

Critical and fan reception has been generally favorable, reflected in modest user ratings. The series mixes fantasy elements with broad comedy, aimed primarily at younger viewers, and the long episode count suggests steady audience interest. Review comments tend to highlight its light tone and accessible style rather than adult-targeted complexity.

Mirmo Zibang! found an international foothold through its English licensing and the simplified title Mirmo!, which helped it reach children outside Japan. Its multiple-year broadcast, award-winning source material, and availability in translation contributed to a recognizable presence among early 2000s children’s anime, especially for fans of magical, humorous series.