imagine-nation S2012E16 - Main Feature: Jewelpet - A Stuffed Character Toy from Japan / Creator's interview: Makoto Tsuchibayashi Japanese Manga Artist

Main Feature: Jewelpet - A Stuffed Character Toy from Japan

SANRIO and SEGA TOYS developed the Jewelpet characters for young girls in 2008. Aside from the main goods, they are also featured in a magazine published by SANRIO itself, some young children's magazines, a manga comic and, from 2009, a TV cartoon. The first film will be released in cinemas in August this year. It is becoming the next great character in the tradition of HELLO KITTY and My Melody and its popularity has also brought a sharp resurgence in visitor numbers to the all-weather, indoor SANRIO PUROLAND theme park, which had been rather struggling of late. The crowds there have risen 17% on a year-on-year basis! Jewelpets are charming pets with jewel-like, sparkling eyes and magical powers who live in an imaginary city. Utterly cute, they have grown to become SANRIO's best-loved characters in only four years. The eagerly awaited fourth TV cartoon series, Jewelpet Kira Doco!, starts this April, too.
We have the inside story on SANRIO, the company that continues to create so many well-loved characters, and take an on-site look at the cartoon production activity.

Creator's interview: Makoto Tsuchibayashi Japanese Manga Artist
Tsuchibayashi designed the character for such videogames as the Devil May Cry and SENGOKU BASARA series. As a creator working chiefly in the game genre, he must pay special attention to how the characters move and the poses they adopt. His drawings are fine, compelling and skillfully contrived to match each project in hand. The sharply delineated, stylish designs have won him many fans among both men and women alike.