Join Our Newsletter
  • Visit Our Store
  • Come Write for J-List!
J-List Blog
Visit J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
No Result
View All Result

Kawaii Culture in Japan

Peter Payne by Peter Payne
10 years ago
in Your Friend in Japan

I took a trip to Tokyo last week to see some guys about an eroge, and while I was riding the train I noticed a ridiculously cute picture of a bear warning riders to be careful not to lean against the train door as it opened or close their fingers in the door as it closed. The message was made more emotionally appealing (and thus more effective) through the use of a kawaii character which was designed to be noticed by as many people as possible, especially young children who might otherwise be injured by the train door. There’s really no limit to what can be made cute in Japan: guard rails for construction sites that look like rabbits, kitty litter that features a cat holding his nose, antibacterial sheets for your bento, and even surprisingly cute Rilakkuma products for the bedroom. No one knows for sure why Japan has such a highly developed tradition of embracing cute characters, but one theory is that it started in 1960 when an inflatable plastic doll called Dakko-chan was introduced by the Takara Vinyl Manufacturing Company (now Takara Tomy). The toy was a huge hit, and that summer everyone walked around with Dakko-chan dolls clinging to their arms. According to theory, the popularity of this character prepared Japan for the rise of later “character dynasties” like Hello Kitty in the same way the popularity of Planet of the Apes (the first film in which merchandising was more valuable than the film itself) helped pave the way for the success of Star Wars.

There’s no limit to what can be made kawaii in Japan.

Tags: cultureerogeStar Wars

More Posts Like This

Dirty Pair Meets Star Trek
Your Friend in Japan

Let’s Explore Japan’s Relationship to Star Trek!

by Peter Payne
5 months ago

Happy May the Fourth! Today is traditionally a day to celebrate Star Wars, but for today's post I thought I'd...

Obi Wan Kenobi Blog
Your Friend in Japan

Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the Meaning of “Canon”

by Peter Payne
1 year ago

The final episode of Star Wars: Obi-Wan has aired, and as a lifelong Star Wars fan, I feel compelled to...

Happy Ramune Day!

Happy Ramune Day! Did You Know That Ramune is 138 Years Old?

1 year ago
Star Wars Visions Blog Post

I Was Wrong About Disney’s Star Wars Anime!

2 years ago
Shunya Yamashita's Luke Skywalker

Mandalorian Rewatch! Why I Love Star Wars and Japan

3 years ago
Star Wars Anime And Fandoms

Anime, Star Wars and the Rise of “Fandoms”

4 years ago
Next Post
Jlistfront Wysudm W

Sakura and Time Travel

Trending Today

Roxy Migurdia Blog Post
Figures

This is the Roxy Migurdia Figure We All Needed!

3 hours ago
Tan Fighters List1 6
Featured

Lovely Tanned Fighters Who Need No Protection

2 days ago
Neko Pako Fuck Paradise
Featured

J-List’s Top 11 Hentai Cosplay JAV Works

3 years ago
Summer Heat Anime Fan Service
Your Friend in Japan

Summer Heat! What Were the Best Fan Service Moments This Season?

1 week ago
Get the Newest Figures from J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
Roxy Migurdia Blog Post
Figures

This is the Roxy Migurdia Figure We All Needed!

by Peter Payne
September 25, 2023

I Shall Survive Using Potions! Formulates Adventure

Vending Machine Isekai Series Gets Second Season

Is BanG Dream! Good Enough to Overcome Bad CGI Anime?

Rurouni Kenshin, Episode 12: Rurouni vs. Okashira

Goblin Slayer II: Fall Premiere with New Studio

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Discord
  • YouTube

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.