- Rilakkuma
.
Rilakkuma has been increasing in popularity since his debut in 2003. For his third anniversary, San-X introduced many new items depicting the character in celebration. For his fifth anniversary, Rilakkuma and his friends are dressed in Royal-style clothes. Related items include pastry marketed under Rilakkuma Cafe brand. Many toys, stickers, stuffed animals, clothes, electronics, and various accessories are marketed under the Rilakkuma name.
It is speculated that Rilakkuma was created to promote a less stressful environment for the Japanese. It encourages the workforce in Japan to relax from over working.
San-X company put the members under obligation to create one cute character per month. A member of the company, Aki Kondo, saw a TV show about dogs, in which an owner loved and took care of his or her dog very much. She envied it, and wished to be such a pet, because at that time she was very busy for working and hoped relaxed life. In this context, she thought of Rilakkuma. Rilakkuma is an enbodiment of her wish. [Interview to Aki Kondo (in Japanese) [http://books.yahoo.co.jp/interview/detail/31354549/01.html] .
November 11 2006 .]Picture books
* "Rirakkuma Seikatsu - Daradara Mainichi no Susume" (Aki Kondou,
March 2004 )
* "Dararan Biyori - Rirakkuma Seikatsu 2" (Aki Kondou,November 2004 )
* "Tori Dayori - Rirakkuma Seikatsu 3" (Aki Kondou,May 2005 )
* "Kuma Goyomi - Rirakkuma Seikatsu 4" (Aki Kondou,September 2006 )
* "Utatane Kibun - Rirakkuma Seikatsu 5" (Aki Kondou,September 2007 )
* "Bonyari Kinenbi - Rirakkuma Seikatsu 6" (Aki Kondou,August 2008 )Sticker books
* "Rilakkuma Daradara Shiiru Bukku" (Aki Kondou,
November 2004 )
* "Rilakkuma Dara Pika Shiiru Bukku" (Aki Kondou,May 2005 )
* "Rilakkuma Gorogoro Shiiru Bukku" (Aki Kondou,September 2006 )
* "Rilakkuma Howa Pika Shiiru Bukku" (Aki Kondou,September 2007 )
* "Rilakkuma Nohohon Shiiru Bukku" (Aki Kondou,August 2008 )Games
* "Rirakkuma na Mainichi" (Rocket Company,
Game Boy Advance ,April 2005 )
* "Rirakkuma ~Ojamashitemasu 2 Shuukan~" (Interchannel ,PlayStation 2 ,September 2005 )
* "Watashi no Rilakkuma" (Rocket Company,Nintendo DS ,April 2007 )
* "Chokkan Asonde Rilakkuma" (Smilesoft,Nintendo DS ,September 2008 )References
External links
* [http://www.san-x.co.jp/relaxuma/top.html Rilakkuma's page at the San-X website]
* [http://www.rilakkumaworld.com Rilakkuma World, which is a Rilakkuma fan site for English speakers.]
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