The official website for the anime adaptation of Takara Tomy’s popular PuniRunes toyline announced on Saturday that the franchise is returning for a fourth season. Titled PuniRunes Puni 4, the new season is scheduled to premiere on October 4 at 9:15 a.m. JST (translating to October 3 at 8:15 p.m. EDT). Alongside the premiere date, the website revealed the main visual and teased that the upcoming storyline will take place at “Puni School.”
© ＴＯＭＹ／ぷにるんず４ぷにじぇくと・テレビ東京
Unlike standard digital pets, PuniRunes interactive toys feature a physical opening that allows users to place their finger inside and interact directly with the soft creature within. The anime series originally launched by following the everyday adventures of these affectionate, squishy creatures alongside Yuka, a fourth-grade girl with a passion for all things soft. (The name stems from puni-puni, the Japanese onomatopoeia for soft and squishy textures.)
The production history of the series includes Kunihiko Yuyama (known for Fairy Princess Minky Momo and Pokémon) as the chief director for the first two seasons, with Kentarō Yamaguchi directing the inaugural season at OLM Digital. Series composition across the first three seasons was handled by Gigaemon Ichikawa (noted for Chikasugi Idol Akae-chan, The Fruit of Evolution, and A Galaxy Next Door), while character designs were crafted by Sayuri Ichiishi (recognized for her work on Pokémon and Tamagotchi!).
The broadcast history of the franchise began when the first season aired on TV Tokyo and TV Osaka from October 2022 to March 2023. This was followed by the second season in October 2024 and the third season in July 2025.
For international audiences, Spin Master—the company behind the U.S. release of the toy line—began streaming the anime series on YouTube with English subtitles in September 2024.
Sources: PuniRunes Puni anime’s website, Comic Natalie