Tarepanda
Tarepanda (たれぱんだ) is a cute panda character owned by the company San-X サンエックス (San Ekkusu). The term "tare" (垂れ) means "lazy" or "droopy" in Japanese.[1]
History
Creation
Tarepanda is licensed by San-X サンエックス (San Ekkusu), the company that introduced Tarepanda stickers in 1995. It was designed by Hikaru Suemasa 末政ひかる (Suemasa Hikaru) and was inspired by Hikaru Suemasa being tired.
Characteristics
Tarepanda is a character that moves by rolling over, with a record speed of 2.75 m/h.[1][2] Tarepanda's favorite food is mochi (餅), especially suama (寿甘).[1][3]
Popularity
In February 1998, San-X launched Tarepanda erasers and letter pads, which proved enormous hits. San-X believed these products were successful because they were released shortly after the Asian financial crisis of autumn 1997, a time when many people in Japan were facing layoffs and, consequently, were sympathetic toward a "worn-out" panda character.[4] By 1999, sales of Tarepanda goods had reached 30 billion yen.[4] Character Databank, a Japanese character popularity monitoring firm, has claimed Tarepanda was a huge hit in Japan.[5] It was rated one of the most popular characters in Japan for being so "Kawaii" (cute in Japanese.)
Merchandise
Picture books
- Tarepanda: Kyou mo Yoku Tareteimasu. (Hikaru Suemasa, June 1999, ISBN 4-09-681211-0)
- Taregoyomi: Nengara Nenju Tareteimasu. (Hikaru Suemasa, September 1999, ISBN 4-09-681212-9)
- Taredzukushi: Tarepanda Fuanbukku (Hikaru Suemasa, March 2000, ISBN 4-09-681213-7)
- Tareyukumamani: Kigatsuku to Sobani iru (Hikaru Suemasa, April 2001, ISBN 4-09-681214-5)
Sticker books
- Tarepanda Shiiru (Hikaru Suemasa, March 2000, ISBN 4-09-734351-3)
Videos
- Tarepanda (Bandai Visual, VHS, 2000/7/25)
- Tarepanda (Bandai Visual, DVD, 2000/8/25)
Games
- Tarepanda no Gunpei (Bandai, WonderSwan, December 9, 1999)
- Taregoro: Tarepanda no Iru Nichijou (Bandai, PlayStation, August 31, 2000)
Computer
- Tarepanda (Interchannel, 2001/6/29, typing-tutor software)
- Tare Tsuzuri (Interchannel, 2001/11/22, card-creation software)
- Tarepanda Toissho (Fortyfive, 1999/4/16, desktop accessories)
- Tarepanda Toissho 2 (Fortyfive, 1999/8/10, desktop accessories)
- Tarepanda Toissho 3 (Fortyfive, 2000/4/28, desktop accessories)
- Tarepanda Toissho Tsume Awa Se (Fortyfive, 2002/2/8, desktop accessories)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 San-X.net. (2011). Tarepanda. Retrieved May 29, 2011, from http://www.san-x.jp/characters/tarepanda.html
- ↑ Roach, M. (1999). Wired 7.12: Cute Inc. Retrieved may 29, 2011, from
- ↑ Tariepie. Retrieved May 29, 2011, from http://tarepie.tripod.com/sum3.htm
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Takuya Hamashima, "Stressed out? You need 'virtual healing'!", Yomiuri Shimbun, November 27, 1999, at 7.
- ↑ Tabuchi, Hiroko (May 14, 2010). "In Search of Adorable, as Hello Kitty Gets Closer to Goodbye". NYTimes.com.