Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear (くまクマ熊ベアー, Kuma Kuma Kuma Beā)[a] is a Japanese light novel series written by Kumanano [ja] and illustrated by 029. It began serialization online in 2014 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was later acquired by Shufu to Seikatsu Sha, who have published twenty volumes since May 2015 under their PASH! Books imprint.
A manga adaptation with art by Sergei has been serialized online via Shufu to Seikatsu Sha's Comic PASH! website since 2018 and has been collected in twelve tankōbon volumes. Both the light novel and manga are licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment. An anime television series adaptation by EMT Squared aired from October to December 2020. A second season aired from April to June 2023.
Premise
Yuna is a bored teenage girl who spends her time as a NEET and living off money she makes in the stock market, being mooched off by her parents. While playing her favorite FPV online game World Fantasy Online, Yuna receives an embarrassing bear suit as a gift for playing so long. The administrator of the game turns out to be a God, who based the game on her world. She then transports Yuna into said world without a real warning with the bear suit, which she is powerless without as it grants her special powers. Despite her initial anger at being teleported without consent, and that there is no way back to her old world, Yuna quickly adapts and finds her new life more fulfilling than the empty one back on Earth as her actions cause her to rise in fame.
Yuna is a 15-year-old girl who lives by herself. Given her finances, she chose to become socially withdrawn at age twelve to play World Fantasy Online as much as possible, and was eventually transported to an alternate world that is identical to the game itself. She decides to enjoy her new life in the new world since she did not have any reason to go back to her original world (as there is no way back), though she loathes the fact God made all her powers be linked to an embarrassing bear suit, which also comes with bear-like gloves and shoes that resemble bear feet. Underneath her bear suit is bear underwear that never gets dirty. She has to use bear imagery with her magic to make it stronger. To her frustrated resignation, Yuna finds everyone uses the motif of her suit for things associated with her. She soon becomes famous for her heroics and is adored by many young women and royals.
Yuna had her fortune transported with her, leaving her very rich; though she's frugal enough to not spend unless she needs to.
Fina is a 10-year-old girl and a resident of the town of Crimonia. Having been forced to care for the family at a very young age, she is very responsible and mature. As noted by her mother and Yuna, Fina has an unusual mentality for a 10-year-old. She met Yuna after she rescued her from wolves and later became her work partner. Thanks to Yuna having a ridiculously amount of monsters for her to harvest, courtesy of her item bag, Fina is no longer hurting for money; getting 50% of all harvested material sales. Her closeness to Yuna shows Fina thinks of her as family.
Noire is a 10-year-old girl and noble who resides in the town of Crimonia; she met Yuna after hearing reports of her from the adventurers guild. She has an older sister named Shia Foschurose. She loves Yuna's bears more than anything; having founded the Miss Bear Fan Club in appreciation. Her nickname is "Noa".
She appreciates Fina being her friend despite social differences. She is also good friends with Misana.
Shuri is Fina's younger sister and daughter of Telmina. Shuri is often makes silly assumptions and is known for being fearless. She is also a good friend to Yuna.
Shia is a 15-year-old girl who is Noire's elder sister and the daughter of Cliff and Eleanora Foschurose. She currently lives together with her mother in the Royal Capital and attends the Royal Academy, while her sister and father live together in Crimonia. Shia takes after her father most; being able to mask her emotions. When she met Yuna, she finds it hard to believe how powerful she is, but after Yuna proves her strength, she warms up to her and becomes more supportive of her in the future.
Cliff is the feudal lord of Crimonia. He is, according to Yuna, a lord who takes good care of everyone in his domain, including the orphanage. In fact, he is swift with cutting the corruption out of his territory; having been angered at the news a subordinate embezzled funds, and quickly tried to make amends to the victims.
He also knows better than to incur Yuna's wrath; knowing she could destroy Crimonia if she wanted.
Gentz is a Guild staff member and a resident of Crimonia. He later becomes Fina and Shuri's stepfather. In his adventuring days, he belonged to Telmina and Roy's party.
Yuna's summoned Beast along with Kumayuru. It is the white one out of the two bears she summons. The name means "Hugging Bear". They are fast and are also skilled fighters.
Yuna's summoned Beast along with Kumakyū. It is the black one out of the two bears she summons. The name means "Spinning Bear". They are fast and are also skilled fighters.
Telmina is the mother of Fina and Shuri and a resident of Crimonia. She is a former adventurer, but wasn't allowed to resume her old job by her daughters. She is a caring and motherly figure and has lived in poverty for many years. She holds a great love for her family and her benefactor Yuna and feels forever grateful towards her. She later becomes the orphanage's business representative.
Eleanora Foschurose is a 33-year-old noble residing in the Royal Capital, and the mother of Noire and Shia and the wife of Cliff Foschurose. She currently lives together in the Royal Capital with Shia, working as the King's adviser; while Noire and Cliff live together in Crimonia. Yuna notes Eleanora basically runs the kingdom, as the king relies on her so much. Even though she is in her early thirties, Yuna describes her as someone who only looks like she is in her twenties. Aside from that, Eleanora is famous for her beauty.
Roy (ロイ, Roi)
Roy is Telmina's deceased husband. Gentz, Telmina and him were in the same adventurer party before he and Telmina got married.
Sanya is the guildmaster of adventurer's guild residing in the royal capital. She is an elf and has a little sister named Ruimin and a little brother named Luca.
Gran Farrengram (グレートファレングラム)
Gran is the grandfather of Misana Farrengram. He is the feudal lord of the eastern part of the town of Sheelin. Later, he governs all of Sheelin after the Salbert family, who formerly governed the western part of Sheelin, were stripped of their noble status after becoming involved in a kidnapping incident among other crimes.
Atla is the guildmaster of the adventurer's guild in Millela. Because Atla dresses in a short skirt and top that exposes her garments underneath, Yuna mistook her for an exhibitionist and the Guild for an adult business.
Atla is quite serious and devoted to her town; though sleep deprivation can make her manic.
Liz is the staff and instructor for the children at the orphanage in Crimonia.
Rondo (ロンド, Rondo)
Voiced by: Hiromichi Tezuka
Rondo is the butler at the Foschurose residence.
Kuma Kami
A bear-obsessed deity who sent Yuna to the alternate world based on the game that she plays and provided her with a bear suit. She usually contacts Yuna via virtual messages.
Kai
A young boy who once requested for Yuna's help in defeating a Black Viper threatening his town.
Deborane, Lanz, and Lurina
A group of adventurers who antagonized Yuna during their first meeting, except for Lurina, who is instead supportive towards her.
Enz Roland
The administrator of the orphanage, who has been secretly embezzling its funds. Once Cliff found out about this, he had Enz arrested.
Gulzam
A vengeful mage who swore revenge on the king. In the present, he returned with an army of monsters, but was defeated by Yuna.
Morin
The owner of the Bear Haven. She previously ran a bakery.
Karin
Morin's daughter.
Damon and Yuura
A couple from Millela that Yuna rescued in the mountains.
Zarrad
Millela's greedy guildmaster who hired thieves to steal for him. His crimes are later exposed by Yuna and Atla, leading to his arrest.
Ans
A talented chef whom Yuna met in Millela. She later moves to Crimonia to open a restaurant with her friends.
Rem
The keeper of Crimonia's Bee Tree.
Helen
A receptionist who works at Crimonia's Adventurers' Guild.
Marix, Timol, and Cattleya
Shia's classmates, who are doubtful of Yuna until seeing her true strength. They become more supportive of her from then on. Compared to the others, Cattleya is the first to warm up to her.
Garan
An employee who works at a fabric factory.
Jiguldo
An adventurer who is also at first doubtful of Yuna when they met.
Jaden and Mel
Two adventurers who grow attached to Yuna.
Sherry
An orphan girl who later moves to a tailor's shop with Yuna's help.
Gold and Nelt
A couple who own a smithy.
Ghazal
A dwarf who made mithril knives for Yuna.
Surilina
A maid who works for the Foschuroses.
Barbould
An adventurer that Yuna has personal issues towards.
Nerin
Morina and Karin's relative.
Zelef
A chef who enjoys the food that Yuna provides.
Botts
A chef who works in Sheelia.
Rabon and Gouges
Two guards who accompany Cliff to Sheelia.
Meishun
A maid who works for Misa's family.
Gajurdo
Randle's father, who seeks to rule all of Sheelia; however, he is against doing violent acts and blackmailing unlike his son.
Randle
Gajurdo's spoiled son who is willing to resort to harming or blackmailing innocents to get what he wants unlike his father.
Brad
Randle's cynical bodyguard and former adventurer. He is powerful enough to fight back against Yuna, though she was still stronger than him.
Media
Light novels
The series was first published online on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website in October 2014 by Kumanano. It was later acquired by Shufu to Seikatsu Sha, who published the first volume as a light novel under their PASH! Books imprint in May 2015.[17] The series is licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment.[18]
A manga adaptation with art by Sergei began serialization online via Shufu to Seikatsu Sha's Comic PASH! website on March 28, 2018.[63] It has been collected in twelve tankōbon volumes as of August 2024.[64] The manga is also licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment.[18]
A spinoff manga series by Yukinori Satō, titled Kuma Kuma Kuma Beā 〜 Kyō mo Kuma Kuma Biyori 〜 (くまクマ熊ベアー 〜今日もくまクマ日和〜), began serialization online via Shufu to Seikatsu Sha's PASH UP! website on September 16, 2020.[65]
In January 2020, an anime television series adaptation was announced in the fourteenth volume of the light novel.[17] The series was animated by EMT Squared and directed by Yuu Nobuta, with Takashi Aoshima handling series composition, Yuki Nakano designing the characters,[3] and Shigeo Komori composing the music.[8] Hisashii Ishii served as series director. The series ran for 12 episodes from October 7 to December 23, 2020, on AT-X and other networks.[5][90]Azumi Waki performed the opening theme "Itsuka no Kioku" (イツカノキオク).[5]Maki Kawase performed the first ending theme "Ano ne." (あのね。, "You Know What.") from Episodes 2–11,[8] while Kawase and Waki also performed the second ending theme "Ano ne. -loved ones ver.-" (あのね。-loved ones ver.-, "You Know What. -loved ones ver.-") for Episode 12.[91]
Funimation acquired the series and streamed it on its website in North America and the British Isles.[92] On January 19, 2021, Funimation announced the series would receive an English dub, which premiered the following day.[4] Following Sony's acquisition of Crunchyroll, the series was moved to Crunchyroll.[93]
On December 23, 2020, when the first season's finale aired, the production of a second season was announced.[91] The main cast and staff returned from the first season.[94] Titled Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear Punch!, the season aired from April 3 to June 19, 2023.[95] Azumi Waki performed the opening theme "Kimi to no Mirai" (キミトノミライ), while Maki Kawase performed the ending theme "Zutto" (ずっと).[96][97]
Reception
The series has 3 million copies in circulation as of July 28, 2023.[98]
Notes
^The Japanese title consists of kuma–the native Japanese word for "bear"—written three ways, followed by "bear" loaned from English.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 28 May 2015. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー ２ [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 2] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 26 November 2015. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー ３ [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 3] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 24 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー ４ [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 4] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 28 July 2016. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー ５ [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 4] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 24 November 2016. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー ６ [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 5] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 30 March 2017. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー ７ [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 7] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 27 July 2017. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー ８ [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 8] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 21 December 2017. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー ９ [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 9] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 29 March 2018. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 10 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 10] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 26 July 2018. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 11 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 11] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 29 November 2018. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー11.5 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 11.5] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 24 January 2019. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 12 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 12] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 25 April 2019. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 13 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 13] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 29 August 2019. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 14 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 14] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 13 December 2019. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 15 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 15] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 14 May 2020. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 16 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 16]. 主婦と生活社 - (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 17 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 17] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 7 April 2021. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 18 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 18] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 13 December 2021. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 19 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 19] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 22 September 2022. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 20 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 20] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 28 July 2023. Archived from the original on 29 July 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 20.5 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 20.5] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 24 June 2024. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
^ abくま クマ 熊 ベアー 12 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 12] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 2 August 2024. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー １ [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 1] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 26 July 2018. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー ２ [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 2] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 21 February 2019. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー ３ [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 3] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 29 August 2019. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー ４ [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 4] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 11 March 2020. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 5 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 5] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 6 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 6] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 22 April 2021. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 7 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 7] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 18 January 2022. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 8 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 8] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 19 October 2022. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 9 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 9] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 4 November 2022. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 10 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 10] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 2 May 2023. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
^くま クマ 熊 ベアー 11 [Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 11] (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 1 December 2023. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
^くまクマ熊ベアー 〜今日もくまクマ日和〜 1 (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 22 April 2021. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
^くまクマ熊ベアー 〜今日もくまクマ日和〜 2 (in Japanese). Shufu to Seikatsu Sha. 16 August 2022. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
