Tokyo — More than four decades ago, the late Dr. Pat Robertson introduced the Bible to Japan through CBN’s Superbook, an animated Bible series originally created for Japanese children.
Today, that vision continues to bear fruit in remarkable ways. Not only is Superbook reaching a new generation of children, but it is also introducing elderly Japanese to the Gospel for the very first time.
What began as a media ministry has grown into something much bigger—opening doors for the launch of CBN Japan and expanding Christian outreach across the nation.
Every Sunday, Pastor Nozomi Nishimura preaches from the pulpit at Jesus Family Church in Tokyo. But during the church’s annual Joy Joy Festival, he gladly trades his suit for a Picachu costume to attract children and families.
“We wanted to find a way to share the Gospel with more people, especially children, so we came up with this yearly evangelistic festival,” Nishimura explained. “The Joy Joy Festival is an entry point to the church. Today alone, we had 10 non-Christian families attend—and then they come to church.”
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Now considered one of Japan’s largest evangelistic festivals, the event welcomed Superbook for the third consecutive year. Children gathered to meet Gizmo—known as Robic in Japan—and joined the Superbook team in singing and dancing to the theme song, the “Salvation Poem.”
Compared to previous years, organizers noticed many more children are more familiar with the song. Their prayer is that the children will also understand its central message—that salvation comes through Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross.
Young Superbook fan Isa Pun already understands that message.
“If I believe in Jesus, then I will go to heaven,” he said.
Isa’s mother, Tae Pun, believes that it’s really important to let young kids to know and experience the love of God, especially since the population of Christianity in Japan is less than on percent. She is happy that kids can understand the Bible through Superbook.
“It’s very hard for kids to read the normal Bible. But Superbook is easy for them, with a lot of song and dance and pictures,” Pun said.
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Reprinted with permission from cbn.com. Copyright © 2026 The Christian Broadcasting Network Inc. All rights reserved.
