, titled during serialization, is a Japanese manga series by Haruchika. It is serialized digitally on the website ComicFesta since June 8, 2020. An anime adaptation was broadcast from July 4, 2022, to September 12, 2022, with a premium version for online streaming and a standard version for television broadcast.
Plot.
Nowa, a bear living in a rural forest town, takes in Airi, a puppy, and raises him on his own. Nowa and Airi grow to have a close relationship, but when time comes for Nowa to hibernate, he promises to meet with Airi once he wakes up. After Nowa wakes up, Airi has grown up into an adult. Airi professes his love for Nowa, and while Nowa faces confusion over the change in Airi and their relationship, he comes to return his feelings as well.

Airi is an Irish Wolfhound who was orphaned as a puppy after his parents' death. He was taken in by Nowa and grows to love him romantically. Haruchika describes him as "lively" and "straightforward."

Nowa is an Asian black bear. Haruchika describes him as a "gentle and plump older bear" who eats a lot and is timid, but he is also a kind person who "warmly embraces" Airi. Haruchika stated that they tried to make Nowa's chest look "soft and fluffy." They also stated that Asian black bears naturally have long tongues and had wanted to draw Nowa as such, but they decided not to at the moment due to how they felt the audience would perceive it.

Kou is a civet cat. He is viewed as a reliable older brother figure in his town, but he has a difficult time with being honest to his own feelings. Haruchika described Kou as the shortest of the main characters and pivotal in helping Airi and Nowa's relationship progress.

Watari is a raven who is quiet and works at his own pace. He has a bad sense of direction and tends to get lost. He is in love with Kou and supports him in his own way. Haruchika describes him as a "crossdressing ."
Media.
Manga.
"Caressing My Hibernating Bear" is written and illustrated by Haruchika. It is serialized on the website ComicFesta under the Screamo label since June 8, 2020, under the title "Caressing the Nipples of My Hibernating Bear". The chapters were later released in seven bound volumes by Suiseisha under the Glanz BL Comics imprint. The manga is distributed in English by Manga Planet and Coolmic under its serialized title.
In 2021, Haruchika stated through an interview with that they had wanted to draw a fantasy story with non-human characters and came up with the story's concept after discussing with their editor. They stated they tried to make it like a "fairytale" with the setting taking place in a rural town where animals live. Because the characters are animals, Haruchika stated that they were "honest" about their instincts and tried to portray their emotions through their tails and ears in erotic scenes. For volume 2, where the characters move from the forest to the city, Haruchika stated that they tried to include a variety of backgrounds despite "not being good at drawing backgrounds." One memory they had about working on volume 2 was that a real bear had appeared in their neighborhood. In 2022, for the third volume, Haruchika stated that they included a scene where the characters go fishing for salmon and was told by their editor that this was the first time they had seen salmon fishing in a boys' love story. In addition, Haruchika stated they had always wanted to draw a story focusing on Kou and Watari's relationship and was "happy" to get a chance in volume 3, though they had to cut out some parts due to page limitations.
Audio drama.
An audio drama was released on CD and bundled exclusively with the limited edition of the first manga volume. The voice cast includes Kōhei Amasaki as Airi, Kazuyuki Okitsu as Nowa, and Kengo Kawanishi as Kou.
Anime.
On July 18, 2021, the release date for the first manga volume, ComicFesta announced they were producing an anime adaptation, which they were releasing under the international title "Caressing My Hibernating Bear". The anime adaptation is animated by Studio Hōkiboshi. Two versions of the anime were produced: a standard version for television broadcast and a premium version including sexual content for streaming on AnimeFesta's website under the Toridori label. Prior to the series' broadcast, a special titled was broadcast on Tokyo MX and BS11 on June 27, 2022.
The standard version was broadcast from July 4, 2022 to September 12, 2022, on Tokyo MX. Additional broadcasts include BS 11. The premium version was released on AnimeFesta's website on the same dates at midnight. Two side stories for the standard version were broadcast on television as episodes 3.5 and 6.5; those episodes were not uploaded to AnimeFesta and would be included as the extras for the home release of the standard version.
The cast from the audio drama adaptation, which had been bundled as an extra of the limited edition of the manga's first volume, reprised their roles for the standard version. Haruchika, the author of "Caressing My Hibernating Bear", also contributed by providing voice acting. The anime adaptation is directed by and written by Shinobi Katō. Kinshi Onisawa is in charge of character design. Asuka Hayashi and Izumi Yamanaka is in charge of animation direction. Satoko Endō is in charge of music direction, with Black Flag producing the soundtrack. The theme song is "Tsunaida Te to Nukumori to" by Amasaki and Okitsu as their characters.
On February 1, 2023, Ascendent Animation had licensed the anime adaptation. They also announced that they were producing an English-language dub. The English dub was released on Blu-ray and for streaming on Amazon Prime Video on October 6, 2023.
Reception.
"Caressing My Hibernating Bear" was listed at no. 17 under the Best Erotic category in the 2022 BL Awards.