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, the company that introduced Tarepanda stickers in 1995. It was designed by Hikaru Suemasa (末政ひかる) and was inspired when she was 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 its cuteness.
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 2 3 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
- 1 2 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.