entertainment

Kumamon to promote films at Cannes

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"Serious film goers?" Is there such a thing? Really - these are movies. Mostly made for entertainment, involving lots of money, sex and drugs. Cannes festival isn't for rocket scientists (though the few I've known don't take themselves nearly as seriously as many people in Hollywood do).

Kumamon will do fine. I just hope he doesn't get molested by some dodgy "film producer."

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Great timing on this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T2XQ_kmBuw

I laughed hard.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I have heard the Cannes FS called many things but serious wasn't one of them. I am sure Kumamon will be popular there.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Not sure how Kumamon will be received but I think he will do well.

Most companies make their money from obsessed adults may they buy goods, visit films(Avengers, Star Wars), whatever. Look at Disney/Pixar visit any Disney or similar theme park.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

THATS the difference, comprende?

I understand it's something you lost interest in, but I don't see what that has to do with anything.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

You stopped it but there are many adults still obsessed with him and other characters. Understood?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Let's see in the west Paddington Bear, Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse and more stuff like Olympic Mascots, etc are very popular with Adults. Those must be just as infantile.

Yes the above exist, HOWEVER while I know Winnie the pooh is still around I LONG stopped his involvement in my life, THATS the difference, comprende?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

One problem with saying things like "the rest of the world" is there are plenty of Japanophiles all over who are gaga over anything cute like this from Japan, adult Hello Kitty fans included. I've got loads of friends, including someone who was the North American web designer for Sanrio, who are lifelong Kitty enthusiasts. They're out there in the rest of the world, too. I'm not saying Kumamon will go over well at Cannes. I don't know. Just as I don't presume to know what the entire world thinks about yuru-kyara and other aspects of Japanese culture. I do know some people out there really love this stuff and shouldn't be discounted just because it's not to our taste.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Let's see in the west Paddington Bear, Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse and more stuff like Olympic Mascots, etc are very popular with Adults. Those must be just as infantile.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

What does any of that have to do with "the rest of the world sees a childish embarrassment."

I don't expect adults to wet themselves with excitement over kitty-chan and other infantile things though.

Why not? Because you don't like them? And who gets to define them as infantile? The fact is, in other Asian countries, it's not considered infantile, same as it's not in Japan. Why does your definition of infantile take precedence over theirs? And if these mascots make them happy, then what's wrong with that? Should they stop feeling happy because you don't like it? Why should they care what you think? Who are you?

People seem to want to avoid the responsibilities of adulthood by retreating back to childish things

Maybe. If so, so what?

These mascots are a waste of money too - how much do authorities waste on them?

Are they? I believe that Asian countries make up a larger group of tourists in Japan than any western nations. If these mascots are effective with these Asian nations, then it doesn't seem like a waste of money to you. Sure, maybe it doesn't appeal to you and wouldn't convince you to come to Japan, but if you aren't the target market, then who cares if it doesn't appeal to you?

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

@strangerland. I expect girls to like Hello Kitty, as it's childish. I don't expect adults to wet themselves with excitement over kitty-chan and other infantile things though. People seem to want to avoid the responsibilities of adulthood by retreating back to childish things, in Japan especially so. These mascots are a waste of money too - how much do authorities waste on them?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

the rest of the world sees a childish embarrassment.

They call it projection when you apply your own feelings to the rest of the world.

If you think there aren't other places that have a similar fascination with characters, you haven't spent much time in other parts of Asia. Or seen girls in Western countries who have a fascination with Hello Kitty.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Japan may see these hideous, infantile mascots as cute, but the rest of the world sees a childish embarrassment. Don't think Cannes will see this as anything other than a sad stunt at a festival known for much more intellectually stimulating and entertaining stunts.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Embarrassing!! Japan you need to learn the difference between Disney Land stuff & serious stuff, come on grow up already, how unlikely that may be!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Kumamon Does Cannes!! (//∇//)

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Phew! They're keeping him limited to the Japanese Pavilion, so hopefully not that many people will see him. People in Japan may love him, and for some reason may pat themselves on the back seeing the mascot overseas, but overseas it's an embarrassment for Japan, and Cannes is pretty serious. Keep him locked in the dark corners of the Japanese pavilion and then people here can just be proud that he was there. If he gets out and walks around people will wonder if Japan is just a nation of children or if Japan thinks THEY are all children.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Is this supposed to impress serious filmgoers?

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Are they expecting a lot of kids at Cannes this year?

To some, the whole world is like a theme park.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

So begins the slide to intellectual demise.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

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