A bit more onFunassyi while it is in the spotlight. Though an unofficial yuru-chara of Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, it is surprising how one offer after another came for Asahi Beverage's "Juroku Cha" and Willcom PHS commercials. Of course it has a strange charm, and among countless characters nationwide there is no doubt it stands out.
Then I found someone analyzingFunassyi's secret to popularity. Writer, designer, and character consultant Akihiko Inuyama, whose company Mynavi is headquartered at Palaceside Building, started a series called "Gekkyara☆Koyuroku" on the Mynavi site — and boldly featuredFunassyi as a "supernova of the yuru-chara world" in two consecutive installments. Part 1 (February 18) was "Kumamon's Rival Appears!? What's the Buzz About 'Funassyi'?" (http://news.mynavi.jp/c_cobs/news/gotouchi/2013/02/1-6.html); Part 2 (the 24th) was "Funassyi's Inside Story, Fully Exposed!? Super-Fierce Soccer Showdown!" (http://news.mynavi.jp/c_cobs/news/gotouchi/2013/02/2.html). Part 2 covers the showdown betweenFunassyi andKumamon at the "Yuru-chara (R) Soccer Tournament" (October 6, 2012, Shinagawa, Tokyo)= photo upper from YouTube.Kumamon was champion of the Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2011. Standing out against a big name is the classic newcomer's move.
In Part 1, Inuyama writes that he was shocked when interviewing manga artist and illustrator Jun Miura for their co-authored book "Yuru-chara Theory — The Reality of 'Not-So-Loose' Yuru-chara"= photo right =.
"The words Miura spoke — 'The yuru-chara I loved are gone' — were shocking. Once upon a time, 'yuru-chara' were interesting precisely because local dignitaries forcibly created them with flair and authority. Designs that made children recoil, amateurish acting, sloppy settings and stories — enjoying those was 'adult sophistication' and 'iki.' But now professional designers and ad agencies have entered; as Kumamon shows, the old 'looseness' has faded. Characters born from perfect marketing win popularity, while truly loose characters are created one after another and buried unnoticed..."
Exactly. That is why the first character Inuyama picks up isFunassyi, who appeared guerrilla-style and leaped onto the national stage.
I feel I understand yuru-chara a little better now.