世論 What Japan Thinks

At the weekend トリビアの泉, Trivia no Izumi, Fount of Trivia looked at that most vital of questions, what is cuteness. They gathered together five top researchers in the field who spent seven hours designing the ultimate in cuteness. This character was passed on to the chief Hello Kitty designer for final touch up and presentation to the world.

But before we get to that, they also surveyed the public to find out what they thought Japan’s cutest character was.

5. DoCoMoDaKe

The main character for NTT DoCoMo’s mobile phones, which I personally don’t particularly like, although I do have a mobile phone strap somewhere that I got free from DoCoMo.

4. Rilakkuma

A San-X character, Sanrio for “adults”. I think he’s extremely cute myself, and in fact my mobile phone wallpaper is him in the bath with his friend and a couple of birds.

3. Hello Kitty

The cutest kitten in Japan and she can only make number three?

2. Mickey Mouse

Can’t stand the rat myself.

1. Pooh Bear

Or Winnie the Pooh, if like me you grew up on the A.A. Milne tales illustrated by Ernest H. Shepherd long before I ever saw the Disney makeover. It was the Disney image that was selected, but I’m a traditionalist so you’ll have to make do with real bear of very little brain.

So, back to the cutest character by committee: the result of the research was this wee sparrow desperate to be hugged:

After me everybody: “Kawai-i-i-i-i-i…!”