Episode 260: Japan Top 10 Cultures: Beyond Cute: Kawaii Culture and Sanrio

In the premiere episode of "Japan Top Ten Cultures," hosts Rekka, Ethel, and Andy explore kawaii culture and Sanrio. Ethel explains the origins and evolution of kawaii, noting its roots in calligraphy and its surge in popularity in the 80s and 90s. The hosts discuss Sanrio's global reach, with personal anecdotes about early exposure to characters like Hello Kitty, Bats Maru, and Kero Kero Pete. They delve into the economic factors behind Sanrio's rise, the company's vast character library, and the cultural impact of characters like Gudetama, Aggretsuko, and Marumo Fubiori, also known as Mopu, examining how these characters reflect broader societal themes in Japan. The episode includes music selections from Cinema Angels, Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel, and Kirimi-chan. The hosts solicit feedback from listeners on this new cultural theme format.