Singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, 21, is to appear in toothpaste ads in China. From May, the quirky singer's image will appear on the toothpaste brand Ora2 by Sunstar.
Last autumn, Kyary took up her post as “Ora2 HAMIGAKI Adviser" and can now be seen on billboard posters in Japan and three other Asian countries.
According to a Nikkan Sports report, her influence has been enormous. Sales of Ora2 have risen 158% in Japan and 171% in Taiwan, compared to the same period last year.
Kyary already has a fan following in Hong Kong and Taiwan and has become popular in China through YouTube.
Appearing at a press conference to publicize the new ad campaign last week, she said: “I want everyone in Asia to clean your teeth with Kyary Hamyu Gakyu and enjoy being beautiful."
Kyary kicked off a concert tour of Europe on April 25, singing before 1,100 fans in Paris. She will also perform in Cologne and London.
© Japan Today
21 Comments
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AlexCook
I love her to death. I love commercials and of course her music. Cute is to describe her beauty.
nath
Does she actually sing? Seems more like just talking cutesy.
nath
This is just evidence that the hatred of Japan by China is limited to a few loudmouths. If it really was as widespread as people like to say, they wouldn't be using Japanese celebrities to sell their products, as the celebrities would hurt their image.
oldman_13
Strangerland, I see your point, but it wasn't just a 'few loudmouths' that torched Japanese businesses and assaulted Japanese citizens throughout China in asinine riots a few years ago.
nath
On the contrary, yes it was. Though 'loudmouth' may not be the right word.
Moderator
Back on topic please.
nath
Surely she can't be advertising just plain mint flavour? any idea if these are quirky toothpast flavours?
timtak
Kouda Kumi was eroti-cute (erokawa) But what is Kyari? Eery Cute (bukikawa)?
smithinjapan
“I want everyone in Asia to clean your teeth with Kyary Hamyu Gakyu and enjoy being beautiful.”
How sad. Not only does she pimp the idea of 'being beautiful' as the utmost important, but she has totally sold out and given up any credibility she may have had... which wasn't much to begin with. Yeah, buying this crappy toothpaste, which has sugar in it, will make you beautiful.
timtak
@AKBfan as well as the standard flavours Kyari is also promoting two extra flavours, Very (berry) Cute Berry and a grapefruit flavour. @SmithinJapan Strange that you say that, when I was thinking the opposite. I find Kyari to be emancipatingly aware of both her desire to be beautiful and the forces that encourage that desire. She is a sort of post-idol, who pimps beauty, and also its opposite, as can be seen in some of the faces that she pulls and the characters in her videos. Berry and Grapefruit flavour tooth paste do not sound like a good idea though due to their acidity (I presume).
titaniumdioxide
How is that possible????? China blocks YOUTUBE!!!!!! (O.o)p
MGigante
I'm not a fan of hers, but if it helps these two countries get along (and helps Japanese companies sell products) I say go for it!
HCKpro
It's so cute that so many of you think Japanese Idols of any ilk create their own persona and that the image you see on TV is really them and not some carefully manufactured packaged product.
smithinjapan
timtak: "@SmithinJapan Strange that you say that, when I was thinking the opposite. I find Kyari to be emancipatingly aware of both her desire to be beautiful and the forces that encourage that desire."
Please. Did you read what she said? Pure commercialism all the way, and none of what you say she stands for.
"She is a sort of post-idol, who pimps beauty, and also its opposite,"
So in other words, when the money suits her she sells out.
"Berry and Grapefruit flavour tooth paste do not sound like a good idea though due to their acidity"
There's no real berry and/or grapefruit going into the gum, it's all artificial flavoring via saccharin.
bass4funk
People still use saccharin??? Wow! Disgusting.
nath
Figures. Both flavours sound sweet but crazy at the same time. A bit like her (cultivated) image.
nath
You should understand that younger Chinese people WANT to like Japanese culture and celebrities. They really do. But then they hear what is happening in Japan politically on the news and they get a bitter taste in their mouths and even get angry. Who wouldn't with all the ridiculous things Abe and his cohorts say. If Japan was more like a friendly country then there would be a huge market for Japanese culture in China.
NeoJamal
What's the message here, use this Chinese toothpaste and you can get high like in one of those Kyari's music videos?
Cliffy
Is it for a children's toothpaste?
OssanAmerica
They hear what is happening. They hear what the Chinese dictatorship wants them to hear, believe and feel. From 1972 for 38 years China held it's word as per the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Friendship. Then as China climbed economically, the PLA gained further power and lo and behold, China was openly talking about taking over the entire East and South China Seas. Such power-gone-to-the-head belligerence is what put someone like Abe into power. It's absurd to blame Abe when China put him into office.
nath
There already is a huge market for Japanese culture in Canada.
It's made me a fortune.