Published almost two years agoThis articleDo you remember KIKKOUCHAN? Yes, I am talking about KIKKOUCHAN, the well-known tortoiseshell-bound rabbit. At the time, KIKKOUCHAN was a local character that was gaining popularity locally, especially in Sendai, but since that article, he has collaborated with various brands, stores, and even professional sports teams, and is now becoming a popular figure.
HOUYHNHNM's had a tenugui designed for the "HNF (HOUYHNHNM's festival)" held in October. This is a triple collaboration with "Shin-Yoshihara," which makes various goods with the motif of Yoshiwara, Tokyo's pleasure quarters. Some of you may have seen the announcement article in HOUYHNHNM's, and some of you may have seen them at the booth and become curious about them.
However, even though KIKKOUCHAN is gaining recognition mainly in the fashion world, there are still many mysteries about her activities and her true face. Would you like to know more about the cute but perverted (?!) KIKKOUCHAN? Wouldn't you like to know more about KIKKOUCHAN?
So, we asked Bachiko, the creator of KIKKOUCHAN, to join us again! Just like last time, she appeared in a casual outfit of a hoodie, denim, and sneakers. I was a bit relieved to see that her style has not changed despite her popularity (laugh). We talked to her about her situation afterwards, which we were curious about.
Bachiko / graphic designer at PILE, a design company in Sendai, Japan. While attending a vocational school, he invented KIKKOUCHAN to exhibit his work at a certain market. The sticker sparked a fire that grew into a popular character.
long vowel mark (usually only used in katakana)Previous ArticleTwo years have passed since the publication of It has been a long time.
The article got a great response, and I was surprised to see many people at KIKKOUCHAN's events saying, "I saw the article! I was surprised by the number of people who said, "I saw your article! I was also surprised at the number of people who said they saw the article at Kikko-chan events!
How much has it increased?
There were less than 1,000 people then, but now there are 12,000...! The number keeps increasing as we collaborate with various companies.
When it's time for an event, your phone is ringing incessantly?
Yes, I know. When an event is announced, the number of people increases by hundreds or so at once.
Does it feel good to do that?
No, I think "scary" (laughs). It's more exciting than I expected, so I can't do anything bad.... But of course there is a sense of excitement.
Are some of your followers famous?
I don't know who is following me. But I have been told by friends and fans that "that person has KIKKOUCHAN's goods. I've heard that voice actors, stage actors, and musicians have Kikko-chan merchandise. Personally, the rapper Kakusei Saidai-san made me the happiest. I love him!
I hope we can collaborate someday. Once again, please tell us about the stores and brands you have collaborated with so far.
The most common is "Journal Standard. We have also collaborated with the Rakuten Eagles and Vegarda Sendai. We also collaborated with the Rakuten Eagles and Vegarda Sendai.
Various collaborative stickers released so far. The black KIKKOUCHAN on the bottom row was released by "Journal Standard Relume.
This lighter was made for an acquaintance's hair salon. The cheap design is a good thing. Bachiko's belief is to do what he thinks is interesting.
The collaboration with "Milkfed" left a strong impression on Bachiko. This collaboration has led to a rapid increase in the number of young girl fans.
This item is a collaboration between the Rakuten Eagles and Vegalta Sendai. The collaboration was made possible by a KIKKOUCHAN fan among the team members.
The "Rakuten Eagles" and "Vegarda Sendai" are major players in the Japanese baseball world, aren't they?
KIKKOUCHAN is a local character of Sendai, so I was very happy when I was asked to join the team. I was very happy when I was asked to be a part of this project, because both teams are symbols of Sendai. Sendai has a famous yuru-chara named Musubi-maru, but my friends joke that I have already surpassed Musubi-maru (laughs).
I can feel KIKKOUCHAN's love for his hometown.
I am sad to see that all the famous creators are going to Tokyo. When I look at the scene in Fukuoka, I think it is great that everyone has so much love for their hometown. That is why I will continue to promote Sendai characters!
KIKKOUCHAN and Sankaku-kun in the style of Masamune Date were painted for the "BAYCREW'S FESTIVAL" held in Sendai the other day.
Do you feel that you are introducing KIKKOUCHAN to the world as a character rather than as art?
That's right. I am a designer, not an artist, so as long as KIKKOUCHAN is cute enough to be appreciated by various people, that is all that matters to me. I don't want to put KIKKOUCHAN in the art category and make it more difficult for people to enjoy it. My ideal is to be KIKKOUCHAN for everyone.
Who are your rivals?
Hmmm, Kitty...? (Laughs)
You are a global character, aren't you?
Hopefully I want to do something with Sanrio. But then I wouldn't be able to tie it up....
Do you have any comments from the world about sexual expression?
I get both good and bad comments. Some people say, "It's good that you depicted eroticism in a pop way" or "It's interesting," while others say, "This kind of sexual expression should not be done by the general public. Now I try to only take in positive opinions.
The fact that there are negative opinions is proof that KIKKOUCHAN has become such a popular character.
However, I have been collaborating with more and more big brands and companies, so I don't want to cause too much trouble... That's what worries me, but I have no desire to stop, so I will continue to draw!
Even if you were no longer offered collaborations, would you still continue to play KIKKOUCHAN?
Of course. KIKKOUCHAN's demise will be when I get tired of it.
What motivates Bachiko-san to work with KIKKOUCHAN?
I draw pictures simply because I think they are cute. I draw them because I think they are cute, and I want everyone to see how cute they are. I do it because I want to show everyone that I think they are cute. I believe that the people who actually come to my events and tell me that they like KIKKOUCHAN share my feelings of "kawaii," so I will continue to draw without losing sight of how cute I think KIKKOUCHAN is!
I'm sorry to change the subject, but at the recent HOUYHNHNM's (HOUYHNHNM's festival), we collaborated with "Shin Yoshihara" to make tenugui (hand towels). Did you know about "Shin Yoshihara"?
I am ashamed to say that I did not know about it. But when I saw your website and Instagram, I thought you were very cute. I thought it was simply wonderful visually, without considering whether it was based on erotic motifs or not.
I think you and KIKKOUCHAN have something in common in a way, but did you have any conversations with Yayoi Okano of Shin-Yoshihara?
When I learned that Okano-san is a woman, I couldn't wait to meet her! I thought, "I can't wait to meet her! I thought we seemed to be kindred spirits. We never had a chance to meet in person, but we exchanged a few messages on Instagram. I created this item by arranging the original "Shin Yoshihara" tenugui.
The tenugui (hand towel) made at HOUYHNHNM's (HOUYHNM's festival) with "Shin-Yoshihara" is cute as KIKKOUCHAN's rope is being untied.It is now on sale at Okano Yayoi Shoten.Quantities are limited, so the earlier the better! If you couldn't make it to HNF, this is your chance! 2,000 yen + tax
How did you feel when you saw the finished product?
I thought it was super cute. I had never made a tenugui before, so I was very happy about that. KIKKOUCHAN is a Japanese character, and I was glad that it fit in with the motif of "Shin-Yoshihara. I was happy that Okano-san thought it was cute, too. Last time, when the "BAYCREW'S FESTIVAL" was held in Kyoto, I drew KIKKOUCHAN, a maiko, and she also complimented me on how cute it was. I would love to do it again if we can work together again!
I heard that KIKKOUCHAN is popular not only in Japan but also in Taiwan.
We had a pop-up at "Journal Standard" in Taiwan. At that time, I drew Tapioca KIKKOUCHAN. I made some local friends and was very inspired by them.
It's great to see the response from overseas.
I think Japanese people would know what a turtle shell binding is, but I don't think many people overseas know about it. But I am really happy that "cute" is conveyed across cultures. In fact, I sometimes receive messages from Hong Kong, Philippines, and other Asian countries inviting me to come visit.
No American or European countries?
Actually, we are planning to hold an event in Brooklyn next spring. There is a skate brand called "Park Deli," and one of their staff members was a fan of KIKKOCHAN's and offered me the opportunity. I have never been to the U.S. mainland, so I am really looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to going to the U.S. I'm sure I'll be influenced by the new KIKKOUCHAN that will be born there.
Lastly, please tell us about your future goals. In our last interview, you said, "I want to make a stuffed animal! Did you achieve that?
It seems to cost a lot of money and it is still difficult to make it happen, but I want to make it. I'm sorry to say that even after two years, it's still in a fluffy state.... But come to think of it, I'm going to make a stuffed animal through crowdfunding!
This is the second three-dimensional object, following the candle. The rope can be untied, and he plans to add instructions for turtle shell bondage.
Wow! Why the stuffed animal?
Huh? Because it's cute, isn't it?
I sure would like to have a plush KIKKOUCHAN.
This will be ready for announcement by the end of the year if we can make it, or at the latest around the beginning of the new year. Please look forward to it!
So it was Bachiko who showed up for the first time in two years. KIKKOUCHAN had evolved into a worldwide character, receiving offers not only from Japan but also from abroad. We can't wait to see what kind of unique characters she will come up with in the future.
Photo_Kota Yagi
Text_Yuichiro Tsuji
