New Series Elmo’s Like It Rap, Featuring Fan-Favorite Sesame Street Characters, Debuts on NHK Educational TV

Rap Series Supports Children’s Emotional Well-Being and Sense of Self

(Tokyo, Japan, March 18, 2025) You’ve seen him sing. You’ve seen him dance. Now see your favorite furry red monster rap with his friends in the new series Elmo’s Like It Rap, produced by global nonprofit Sesame Workshop. Joined by Sesame Street’s very own voracious Cookie Monster, with special appearances by autistic Muppet character Julia, the series invites children across Japan to share who they are, what they like, and what they’re proud of through the power of rap.

Elmo’s Like It Rap premieres during NHK Educational TV’s The Wakey Show on April 2 at 7:00 AM. With 22 three-minute episodes rolling out weekly, the series is designed to support children’s emotional well-being, creativity, and sense of self. It provides a fun, inclusive space where children can express who they are and what they are proud of through original rap lyrics. Elmo and his friends enthusiastically cheer them on, encouraging children watching from home to celebrate their own love and interests.

“As societal and academic pressures on Japanese children continue to grow, it is increasingly important to foster environments that strengthen emotional health, self-esteem, and resilience,” said Manabu Nagaoka, VP & General Manager, Sesame Street Japan. “By giving children a platform to express themselves and share their feelings, Elmo’s Like It Rap helps build children’s confidence, reduce stress by encouraging them to express themselves, and encourage positive communication.”

“This spring, we’ll be launching a daily show on NHK Educational TV called The Wakey Show,” said Masakazu Sato, Content Production Development for Children Senior Producer, NHK Educational Corporation. “DJ Wakey travels the world, learning about all kinds of interesting things from his delightful companions and sharing that excitement with children, and friends like Elmo, every day. We’re excited to be working with Sesame Workshop to introduce Elmo’s Like It Rap, a segment designed to foster children’s emotional well-being. By using rap—a style so popular among kids today—we hope to encourage children to be open about their feelings.”

Sesame Workshop and NHK have had a long history of collaboration. The globally beloved children’s series Sesame Street aired on NHK from 1971-2003, and in 2020, Sesame Street specials like Elmo’s Playdate were enjoyed by NHK viewers. More recently in 2024, the two collaborated on the music video “We Belong” featuring Midories, the popular children’s group, to promote social development goals. Additionally, Sesame Workshop and NHK teamed up on the joint campaign “For Every Child” with Japan Committee for UNICEF to help nurture a better future for every child.

About Sesame Workshop  
Sesame Workshop is the global nonprofit behind Sesame Street and so much more. For over 50 years, we have worked at the intersection of education, media, and research, creating joyful experiences that enrich minds and expand hearts, all in service of empowering each generation to build a better world. Our beloved characters, iconic shows, outreach in communities, and more bring playful early learning to families in more than 150 countries and advance our mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. Learn more at www.sesame.org and follow Sesame Workshop on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X.  

About NHK
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) is Japan’s sole public service media organization. Funded by receiving fees from Japanese households, it has a reputation for impartial, high-quality programs including news, documentaries, children’s and educational programs, music, entertainment, culture, animation, and drama. Known as the pioneer of HD broadcast, NHK now actively produces programs in 4K and 8K. www.nhk.or.jp/corporateinfo/.

About NHK Educational Corporation
NHK Educational Corporation, an affiliate of NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), is a leading producer of educational content, creating around 10,000 TV and radio programs for NHK every year. The company also develops a wide range of content—including video, events, products, and character licensing—across areas such as early childhood education, school curriculum, language learning, arts and culture, science, cooking, hobbies, and health. By collaborating with corporations and educational institutions, NHK Educational contributes to society in meaningful ways. For more information, please visit https://www.nhk-ed.co.jp.