

Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky
2009, Japanese. Directed by Masahiko Tsugawa.
Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido, is the northernmost zoo in Japan. The unpopular zoo welcomes a new zoo keeper, young Yoshida (Yasuhi Nakamura), who has more affection for insects than people after years of being bullied at school when he was young. Yoshida soon realizes that Asahiyama Zoo is facing a financial crisis and the zoo director Takizawa (Toshiyuki Nishida) has been doing everything in his power to save the zoo from closing down. Moved by Takizawa's passion, Yoshida and other zoo keepers came to share the zoo director's belief that one's dreams can come true, and together they tackle this seemingly impossible task of revitalizing Asahiyama. A breakthrough arrives in the form of “Behavioral Exhibition,†a method that is pioneered by Ashiyama's zoo keepers and which eventually makes the zoo renowned throughout the world.
- Runtime
- 1h 52m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- Japanese
- Rated
- Check local
Start now and it ends at ….
Too new to call
Not enough people have rated it yet for a verdict.
Seen it? Give your verdict.
Saved privately on this device.
Where to watch Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky
Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 7 February 2009.
No streaming listings yet. Search JustWatch.
Cast & crew
Details
- Released
- 7 February 2009
- Original title
- 旭山動物園物語 ペンギンが空をとぶ
- Country
- Japan
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
What Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky is based on
Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky is based on a true story.
Source details from Wikidata and TMDB.
If you liked Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky

Hachiko
1987 · 7.8/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers

The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
2013 · 8.1/10
Absolute CinemaRecommended by TMDB viewers

Godzilla
2014 · 6.4/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

Buddha 2: The Endless Journey
2014 · 7.7/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers

My Penguin Friend
2024 · 7.4/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers

The Outsider
2018 · 6.1/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

A Wind Named Amnesia
1990 · 6.0/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

Battles Without Honor and Humanity
1973 · 7.3/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers

Under the Open Sky
2021 · 7.5/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers

Giovanni's Island
2014 · 7.5/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky: quick answers
Is Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky worth watching?
Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky?
Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky runs 112 minutes (1h 52m).
Does Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky yet.
Which OTT platform is Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky on?
Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 7 February 2009. (Checked 14 November 2026.)
What movies are like Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky?
If you liked Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky, try Hachiko, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, Godzilla.
Who directed Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky?
Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky (2009) was directed by Masahiko Tsugawa and stars Toshiyuki Nishida, Yasuhi Nakamura, Ai Maeda.
What is Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky based on?
Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins in the Sky is based on a true story.