PythagoraSwitch

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PythagoraSwitch (ピタゴラスイッチ, Pitagora Suitchi^?), airing on NHK since 2002, is a Japanese educational television program where children's "way of thinking" is augmented under the supervision of Masahiko Satō (佐藤雅彦, Masahiko Satō^?) and Masumi Uchino (内野真澄, Masumi Uchino^?).

The Rube Goldberg devices that appear during the beginning, ending, and between each corner (segment) are called Pythagorean Device (ピタゴラ装置, Pitagora Souchi^?) in the program. The main focus of the program is a puppet show, but the subject is mainly advanced by the small corners. World phenomena, principles, characteristics, and the like are introduced in an entertaining way. As a feature of the show "Pitagora Suitchi" is sung as an eye catch for each important point.

Dankichi Kuruma (車だん吉, Dankichi Kuruma^?), Jun Inoue (井上順, Jun Inoue^?), Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (草彅剛, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi^?), et al are voice actors who perform and call out the topics.

Often Switch (スイッチ, Suitchi^?) and Shikumi (しくみ, Shikumi^?) appear on the show to mainly form new interests and learn new information.

At the 30th Japan Prize International Educational Program Contest, episode 25 Let's Look at It Another Way, won top prize (the Prime Minister's award) of the Early Education category. [1] At Prix Jeunesse 2004 in Munich it won top prize in the age 6 and below non-fiction category. [2]

Outside Japan, NHK World Premium broadcasts PythagoraSwitch Mini. In Brazil, TV Cultura is broadcasting it with the title Viva Pitágoras.

[edit] Corners

Today's Topic
- Pita (ピタ, Pita^?) - Mai Hoshikawa (星河舞, Mai Hoshikawa^?) (formerly Miwa Matsumoto)
- Gora (ゴラ, Gora^?) - Tomohiro Nishimura (西村朋紘, Tomohiro Nishimura^?)
- Suu (スー, Suu^?) - Yuuji Ueda (うえだゆうじ/上田祐司, Yuuji Ueda^?)
- Mr. Encyclopedia (百科おじさん, Hyakka-ojisan^?) - Akira Nagoya (名古屋章, Akira Nagoya^?) then Kiyoshi Kawakubo (川久保潔, Kiyoshi Kawakubo^?) then Dankichi Kuruma (車だん吉, Dankichi Kuruma^?)
- TV John (TeleviJohn) (テレビのジョン, Terebi no Jon^?) - Jun Inoue (井上順, Jun Inoue^?)
- Narrator - 徳田章 (Akira Tokuda, 徳田章^?)

Mr. Encyclopedia explains the ways of the world to Pita and Gora. Mr. Encyclopedia says "The details are written on my page X," but Pita and Gora say, "We're children so we can't read!" Then TV John ends up explaining the story on his screen. When Suu appears carrying something with him, it's always pointless.

Algorithm Exercises/Arugorizumu Taiso - The comedy group Itsumo Koko kara (いつもここから, Itsumo Koko kara^?)

The 2 man team performs exercises.

Algorithm March/Arugorizumu Koushin - Itsumo Koko kara

The exercises from Algorithm Exercises are developed. Lines of more than 2 people are formed, and they begin moving canon style one at a time. The movements of the first and last person become connected.

Father Switch (Father Switch 2 in 2003, Father Switch and Grandpa Switch too after 2003)
- How to make Father Switch - sung by 知久寿焼 (originally by Tama)

The children push a switch which has a 5 character column from the Japanese syllabary, and Father makes a corresponding move.

What are you doing, Mister? - performed by 小林賢太郎（ラーメンズ）and others
Framy - voiced by 井上順

The main character, Framy, is transparent dog comprised of a square frame. The other characters are comprised of simple figures as well but aren't transparent.