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Japanese characters are loved by not only Japanese, but by people all around the world. Although common in anime, manga, and movies, their presence has increased and become an indispensible part of business and event PR. Used in designs for everyday items like laundry soap and toilet paper, as well as appearing on character-themed menus offered by concept cafes, characters are around us more than ever. In addition, mascot characters called “regional characters” have been adopted by Japan’s 47 prefectures, and are used to advertise each region by appearing in all kinds events and campaigns and promoting locally made products.
Characters even attract a lot of attention abroad! The KUMA Café, a Kumamon café that opened in Taiwan this past May, is very popular!! In fact this café, which offers Kumamon-themed meals and desserts, as well as items for sale, is so popular that you need a reservation to get in. Also, at the Japan Expo held in Paris, France, there were many people cosplaying popular Japanese characters!! The quality of cosplay was impressive, and it soon people all over the net were talking about it.
These are some of the characters that are popular with both children and adults. We’ll explore why they became so popular and what they have in common!!
1.Round
Humans instinctively feel that curves are “cute”, “warm”, and “friendly”. Characters with round eyes, ears, noses, or faces are easy to get attached to, and seem to be well received by more people.
Hello Kitty Eyes, nose, ribbon, and shape
Funassyi Eyes, cheeks, and an all-over round look
2. Wide-set eyes
Wide-set eyes give off a loveable, child-like image
Rilakkuma, Kiiroitori, Korilakkuma
Jibanyan
3. Large head to body ratio
It causes people to feel pangs of cuteness and the desire to nurture them in their hearts.
Ojyarumaru
Chopper
4.Characters with red features
Round facial features stand out even more in red, and these characters are popular for their uniqueness.
Pikachu
Anpanman
5.The “n” rule
Characters with “n” at the end of their names, like “~mon” and “~nyan” create a sense of familiarity and are comforting.
Pom Pom Purin
Doraemon
Cute characters captivate even idols!! SKE48 graduate Rena Matsui is such a big fan of Youkai Watch that the other day she posted a video to her Instagram account of her dancing to “Youkai Taisou Daiichi”, and she plays games from the series on her DS.
https://instagram.com/p/xB_LuCAoPc/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">ようかい体操第一。ジバニャンver #ようかい体操 #妖怪ウォッチ
ジバニャン(>_<)♡
かわいすぎて、かわいすぎて、かわいすぎて、
はぁぁぁぁぁぁだだだぁぁぁぁ http://t.co/NHCP4eB4pi">pic.twitter.com/NHCP4eB4pi
— 大場美奈 (@mina_ovo) https://twitter.com/mina_ovo/status/491454610758852608">2014, 7月 22The 48 Group as NyaaKB collaborates with Youkai Watch as part of their performance.
Also, AKB48’s Mayu Watanabe, or Mayuyu, is a huge Pom Pom Purin fan! Her Twitter avatar is a picture of her and Pom Pom Purin. She asked fans for their support for the 2015 Sanrio Character Ranking Award, and worked hard to get the word out. Perhaps thanks to her efforts, Pom Pom Purin won! This was Pom Pom Purin’s second win, and the character’s first win in 18 years since the 1997’s ranking. When Mayuyu heard the result, she was in tears. Her love for Pom Pom Purin is so great that fans have commented how strange it is, but it seems it can’t be helped!
そして！！サンリオキャラクター大賞、いよいよ投票締切は6/15の23:59まで！
みんな、ポムポムプリンくんに毎日投票してね！！めざせ1位！！！
投票はコチラから http://t.co/PpiNVoIN6v">http://t.co/PpiNVoIN6v
https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E3%83%9D%E3%83%A0%E3%83%9D%E3%83%A0%E3%83%97%E3%83%AA%E3%83%B3?src=hash">#ポムポムプリン http://t.co/d95sSe0B9H">pic.twitter.com/d95sSe0B9H
— 渡辺麻友 (@karaage_mayu) https://twitter.com/karaage_mayu/status/609019985227177985">2015, 6月 11 サンリオキャラクター大賞結果発表の中継を、まゆとたかみなさんと観てました！！
ポムポムプリンの1位に号泣するまゆゆ😂 http://t.co/MGFjnp2CWt">pic.twitter.com/MGFjnp2CWt
— 柏木由紀 (@Yukiriiiin__K) https://twitter.com/Yukiriiiin__K/status/614723703008423936">2015, 6月 27 People all over the world love Japanese characters. People love characters because they have their hidden characteristics bring out basic human qualities and touch their hearts. Does the character you love fall into any of these points?
Source: Tokyo Girls' Update
Source article written by Ikumi