Tsuide ni Tonchinkan

ついでにとんちんかん

Aired: 1987 - 1988

A comedy anime based on Endo Koichi's gag manga of the same name, serialized in Weekly Shounen Jump. Produced with the staff carrying over from its predecessor 'High School! Kimengumi.' The series revolves around middle school protagonist Nusaku-sensei, a member of the bungling thief gang Tonchinkan, as he and his companions Chinpin and others create a cascade of nonsensical slapstick antics. The theme songs were crafted by the duo of Akimoto Yasushi and Goto Tsuguritoshi, performed by Ushirogami Hikaretai and Ikuina Akiko -- idol acts descended from Onyanko Club -- making the series a memorable product of its era's idol culture. A quintessential work embodying the spirit of bubble-era Jump anime.