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]

Tarepanda

History

Creation

Tarepanda is licensed by San-X, the company that introduced Tarepanda stickers in 1995. It was designed by Hikaru Suemasa (ja: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] Sales of Tarepanda goods exceeded ¥30 billion ($291 million ) in the first few months of its release.[5][4] It became Japan's seventh top-grossing character of 1999, generating ¥66.36 billion ($583 million ) in merchandise sales that year,[6][7] adding up to ¥96.36 billion ($874 million ) merchandise sales in Japan by 1999.

Tarepanda was a major hit in Japan. It has appeared on annual retail sales charts published by Character Databank, a Japanese character sales monitoring firm, as of 2010.[8] 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

Games

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. San-X.net. (2011). Tarepanda. Retrieved May 29, 2011, from http://www.san-x.jp/characters/tarepanda.html
  2. Roach, M. (1999). Wired 7.12: Cute Inc. Retrieved may 29, 2011, from
  3. Tariepie. Retrieved May 29, 2011, from http://tarepie.tripod.com/sum3.htm
  4. Takuya Hamashima, "Stressed out? You need 'virtual healing'!", Yomiuri Shimbun, November 27, 1999, at 7.
  5. "Market: Asia Pacific". Market: Asia Pacific. W-Two Publications. 8–10: 7. 1999. Sales of the toy passed ¥30 billion (US$291 million) in the first few months of its release.
  6. Tsukada, Yuko (September 7, 2001). "Action! Report No.3: 市場環境を調べる". クリエイターのための自営学 (in Japanese). Creative Work Station / Asuka Publishing. ISBN 4756911501. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  7. "Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average) - Japan". World Bank. 2003. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  8. Tabuchi, Hiroko (May 14, 2010). "In Search of Adorable, as Hello Kitty Gets Closer to Goodbye". NYTimes.com.
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