Build-A-Bear is launching an original animated series called KABU featuring familiar characters from its line of build-your-own plush toys. The series will debut Dec. 26, 2025 on the Build-A-Bear YouTube channel, with new episodes airing every Friday at 7 a.m. during the 13-episode season (a perfect time to entertain younger viewers who have already broken at least one of their Christmas toys).
KABU transports viewers to Kabuville, a bright, welcoming place built on pure “PAWsitivity,” where a group of young stuffed animal friends navigate the ups and downs of growing up, including friendship, disagreements and responsibilities.
KABU‘s key characters were inspired by classic Build-A-Bear friends, including Bearmey, Bearnard and Pawlette the bunny, with a character design reimagined for the series through the lens of the Japanese “kawaii” art style (“Kabu” means “cub” in Japanese.) The series also has inspired a collection of new plush animals that will be simultaneously launched at Build-A-Bear Workshops around the globe on Dec. 26.
“Our wish for KABU is to provide an entertaining, engaging and fun way to playfully explore some of the challenges of childhood and parenting today while supporting and hopefully reinforcing the concepts and benefits of friendship, collaboration and kindness,” said Sharon Price John, President and CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop in a statement. “We believe this intention is in keeping with our mission as well as aligned with what Build-A-Bear has consistently delivered for almost 30 years, the creation of memorable, amazing experiences for kids and kids at heart.”
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Build-A-Bear has been building up its entertainment chops recently in other arenas as well. A new multi-level retail-tainment experience that will open in the first half of 2026 at the Icon Park entertainment complex in Orlando, Fla., is part of a multi-year strategic expansion of Build-A-Bear’s footprint into tourist and hospitality destinations. And the company also recently expanded its co-branded stores with Sanrio’s Hello Kitty to two of the country’s biggest malls.
