Superbook Inspires Faith Revival Among Japanese Children
A generation of kids grew up watching the animated Bible series “Superbook” during the 1980s. Now, the series has found an unlikely new life as an evangelism tool in the largely secular nation of Japan.
Pastor Makoto Kohatsu of the Kawasaki Church in Tokyo traces his faith to watching the series as a child.
“This is how I came to know about the Bible and came to know Jesus,” he says. “Those stories were kind of a foundation in my life. So when I knew `Superbook’ is coming to this generation, I was so excited. The children will know the message of the Bible.”
Only half of the small number of Christian churches in Japan have Sunday School. “Out of the 1 percent Christian population in Japan, including Catholics, only 0.2 percent go to church,” Kohatsu said. “It is very difficult for Japanese people to touch he gospel, watch the gospel and listen to the gospel. They are not coming to church. No kids are coming to church.”
Broadcasting “Superbook” introduces these kids to the Bible, he said. A “Superbook” team from the Philippines visited Kohatsu’s church and other church partners to minister to children and provide further training on its curriculum to volunteers. The team also promoted “Superbook” at Japan’s biggest evangelistic outreach for the first time since 2018, when they promoted the first season. It was their way of celebrating the completion of the five seasons of “Superbook” that were aired in Japan.
Eisuke Kakinuma first discovered Superbook at age five, while attending Nozomi Christian preschool in Japan. Raised by a single mom who was not home when he returned from school, the show quickly became a favorite—he felt a real connection with Chris, the character who struggled with stage fright in the story of David. Watching Chris overcome his fears inspired Eisuke to push through his own challenges with origami, even when classmates told him to quit. “I really like Superbook because I can relate with Chris,” Eisuke said. “I was not good in origami and some kids told me to just quit. But I did not give up and God helped me. Now, I am good at it.”
Before Superbook, 11-year-old Eisuke knew about God but wasn’t sure what to believe. Through the series, he learned that Jesus died on the cross to forgive his sins, giving him hope for heaven. Eisuke wanted his own DVDs and, after winning a Superbook quiz contest, finally got the first season set as a prize. He started keeping a Superbook album as a journal, collecting memories and lessons from each episode. For Eisuke, Superbook isn’t just a show—it’s been a guide for faith, perseverance, and learning how much God loves him.
His story isn’t unique. Countless kids are being impacted.
Noel Wilson of the Pacific Broadcasting Association was in charge of marketing “Superbook” to the networks. She shared feedback she received from its viewers.
“Some viewers watch with their grandparents, who used to watch the old version of `Superbook,’” she said. “Different generations know about `Superbook’ and receive the gospel through the animation. And that is fulfilling for me.”
Icko Gonzalez, special projects head for CBN Asia, has a vision for the future of the program in Japan.
“We have so many plans to air it in other prefectures in Japan and in the local channels here so that through `Superbook,’ many more will hear the gospel. Japan is known as the Land of the Rising Sun, but we declare that Japan is going to be the Land of the Risen Son, Jesus.”
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
