Marceline Smith - The Super Cute Book of Kawaii

CONTENTS

Marceline is the co-founder and editor of Super Cute Kawaii, which launched in 2008. She lives by the seaside on the west coast of Scotland in a house full of so many happy kawaii plushy things that she is in a constant daze of kawaii fever. Having visited Japan many times, Marceline is enormously inspired by all things Japanese, from traditional designs to the latest San-X insanity. She especially loves bunnies, space and any kind of food object with a happy face.

www.supercutekawaii.com

Kawaii translates as loveable or adorable. It became a big trend in Japan from the 1970s, when characters like Hello Kitty started appearing on stationery and accessories, but cute character art has been enjoyed in Japan since at least the early 1900s. The rest of the world has its own cute characters too, but Japanese kawaii went global thanks to Hello Kitty and Pokmon in the 1990s.

Today, kawaii is a big part of Japanese culture and loved by all ages. Its quite normal for smart, suited businessmen to have a few favourite anime characters dangling from their phones!

Youll find cute characters and kawaii inspiration everywhere in Japan. Manga (comic books), anime (animated cartoons) and idols (singers and models) celebrate kawaii. Even serious institutions like the police and banks have kawaii mascots to help make everyday services feel more friendly!

Kawaii is about staying positive and adding some happiness to the world. Life seems a little easier when youre surrounded by happy faces or wearing bright colours and fun accessories.

Kawaii characters and manga/anime stories often focus on friendship, trying your best and the fact that life isnt always easy. Pusheen and Gudetama know that sometimes you just need to flop on the sofa with some snacks! Rilakkumas thoughtful face looks sympathetic.

Kawaii fashion is about expressing your creativity and dressing in a way that makes you feel happy and confident, whatever anyone else thinks. Kawaii clothes and accessories make an outfit feel unique.

Your bedroom can become a cosy retreat with cute decorations and huggable plush where you can curl up with your favourite book or game. Even studying is much more fun with kawaii stationery, and mealtimes can be made sweeter with playful food, kawaii treats, bento-box lunches and animal-shaped utensils.

Once you start thinking kawaii, youll find it will have a positive effect on just about everything!

Kawaii characters offer comfort, love and a happiness boost. They are loyal to their friends and family, and love adventures as much as being at home.

They often have baby-like features (both human and animal), such as large eyes and foreheads, round chubby bodies and small arms and legs. Their appearance might make them seem vulnerable but they are often brave and possess magic powers.

Even if you are new to kawaii, you have probably heard of the cute Pokmon, Pikachu. There are so many loveable mascots to discover. Turn the page to meet a few more from around the world and hear their stories

The characters of the global lifestyle brand tokidoki were designed by Italian artist Simone Legno, and take inspiration from everything from Japanese culture to punk rock. Donutella whizzes around the galaxy in her donut UFO looking for sweet treats to fuel her friends. Everything tastes better with some sprinkles on top!

Japan-based Sanrio create their characters under the motto small gift, big smile. Gudetama, the lazy egg, cannot help but bring a smile. Gudetama often lacks motivation and finds it hard to deal with life. If you cant get out bed in the morning, Gudetama totally understands.

Hello Kitty was Sanrios first creation. She is a true kawaii superstar. Never seen without her signature red bow, her motto for life is you can never have too many friends! and she loves to play with other kawaii characters and brands. Make friends with her and shell show you all the cutest new trends.

A little white bunny in the garden inspired Dutch artist Dick Bruna to create Miffy for a series of picture books. Miffy enjoys every day adventures with her family and friends.

Molang was created by Hye-Ji Yoon, a Korean designer, for French studio Millimages. The animated series is an affectionate and humorous look at the relationship between an eccentric, joyful rabbit and a shy little chick. Despite their many differences, these two enjoy a unique friendship.

Mozzarella is the head of tokidokis Moofia family, who were assembled to extort milk from schoolyard bullies. Mozzarella is loving and kind to good kids, but feared by those who harass the innocent.

The Moomins are some of the oldest kawaii characters, created by Finnish illustrator Tove Jansson in 1945. The adventurous family live in Moominvalley, where they explore and live in harmony with nature.