Sentimental Circus Merchandise
Sentimental Circus (センチメンタルサーカス) is an extremely popular character series created by the Japanese company San-X in September of 2010. Sentimental Circus is loved by people from around the world for its mysterious story and unique characters that tug at your heartstrings as well as for its gothic style that makes it stand out from other San-X character series.
STORY OF THE SENTIMENTAL CIRCUS
Once the stars twinkle and the moon rises in the darkness that envelops a town's streets in which abandoned toys reside, the town’s residents fall into a deep slumber. And every night while the town is fast asleep a handful of special abandoned or otherwise neglected toys gather with one another from wherever they had been left and forgotten just to have fun performing in their Sentimental Circus with ringmaster Shappo!
Each member of the Sentimental Circus has a their own awe-inspiring act to perform and enjoys to do so. Whenever the Sentimental Circus curtain rises you can bet an adorable show is about to begin!
SENTIMENTAL CIRCUS MEMBERS
・Shappo (シャッポ)
Role: Ringmaster
Animal Type: Rabbit
Shappo wears a mini black top hat with the word “Master” written on it with magical props hidden inside as well as thread and needles for crafts (a favorite pastime of his) and a deck of cards.
He loves to dress up in fancy outfits and has a sweet spot for capes, but is often seen wearing, what appears to be, a half pink and half pink and white polka dot onesie that even covers his ears.
On his butt, where his tail should be is a small pink X. It’s said that he removed his own tail to give it to tailless Mouton, another member of the Sentimental Circus, who always wished to have one.
・Toto (トト)
Role: Juggler
Animal Type: Unknown
Toto and Shappo are the closest members - understandably so because Shappo crafted together Toto from scraps of old fabric. Toto is a very sensitive fellow. Oh, and he juggles!
・Mr. Bear (Mr. ベア)
Role: Cyclist
Animal Type: Bear
Mr. Bear is a bear (SURPRISE! XD) made of tin that lives life at his own relaxed pace. Every time he performs on his bicycle, he looks as gleeful as can be!
・Kuro (クロ)
Role: Rolling Globe Performer
Animal Type: Cat
Kuro is a precocious black cat who loves round objects, so it’s no wonder Kuro is a rolling globe performer! Kuro jumps atop rolling globes and performs tricks that require incredible balance. You might notice that Kuro also looks a bit like an owl.
・Pig and Mamo (ピグ & マーモ)
Role: Trapeze Performers
Animal Type: Monkey
Pig and Mamo are curious monkey twins full of energy that can be seen swinging not from treetop to treetop, but on the trapeze of the Sentimental Circus! Surprisingly, they are made of scraps of yarn.
・Piyo Ballerinas (ピヨバレリーナ)
Role: Ballerinas
Animal Type: Birds
Chirp! Chirp! Chirp! The Piyo Ballerinas are three stylish and talkative sisters! They can often be found bustling about in the dressing room of the Sentimental Circus!
・Poni (ポニ)
Role: Hurdle Jumper
Animal Type: Horse
Despire the trouble he has with his short legs (which is something he likes to keep to himself), Poni is a hardworking horse made of wood that performs awe-inspiring jumps over hurdles. Poni is inspiring! (^-^)
・Rio (リオ)
Role: Hoop Jumper
Animal Type: Lion
Rio is a lion and the largest plushie in the Sentimental Circus! Although he is huge, he can still majestically jump through hoops because he has a detachable mane. LUCKY!
・Mouton (モータン)
Role: Acrobat
Animal Type: Elephant
Mouton is an easy going elephant who kicks back when the Sentimental Circus isn’t performing, but switches into high gear once the curtain rises! In addition to being an acrobat, he is also talented at ball balancing. He is said to have always wanted a tail, but didn’t have one so Shappo removed his and sewed it onto Mouton as a gift. Aww~ ♡
SENTIMENTAL CIRCUS PRODUCTS
Countless Sentimental Circus products have been manufactured by San-X and many are available here on the TOM Premium Shop. Fans can own stationery, plushies, home goods, keychains, wallets, fashion accessories, and more all of their favorite Sentimental Circus characters!
Usually a set of products releases with a specific theme which is called a product series. For example, the Temaneki Kagee no Alice product series is inspired by Alice in Wonderland and features the Sentimental Circus characters dressed up in Alice in Wonderland outfits such as Shappo as Alice, Kuro as the Chesire Cat, and Toto as the White Rabbit.
As you might expect, the Little Red Riding Hood series features Shappo adorned in a red cape! There is even a series where Shappo is reunited with his twin Spica among the stars. The product series is beautiful and bittersweet since Shappo has to say sayonara once more to Spica, but promises they’ll meet again. (Look closely at Spica sometime and you’ll notice Spica still has his tail while Shappo doesn’t!)