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The New Science of Cute
Article

The New Science of Cute

The Guardian, 2016

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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Engaging

Recommendation

How do you explain the popularity of Hello Kitty? Why do people find themselves cooing at little babies? The answer may be quite simple: They’re cute. Writing for The Guardian, journalist Neil Steinberg takes a look at the fascinating – and adorable – world of kawaii, or “cuteness.” Steinberg uses the story of Kumamon, the beloved “mascot” of Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture to illustrate how cuteness can generate attention – and earnings. getAbstract recommends this charming article to marketers, pop-culture fanatics and anyone needing a happy boost.

Take-Aways

  • The rosy-cheeked bear named Kumamon is a beloved Japanese yuru-kyara – in English, a “mascot.”
  • In 2011, Kumamon won the Yuru-kyara Grand Prix, making him the most popular character in Japan. His appeal lies in his “cuteness.”
  • Cuteness as a part of culture – and of marketing – is a relatively modern phenomenon, starting with the comic strip The Kewpies in 1909 and moving on to Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty, and countless other characters.

About the Author

Neil Steinberg is a columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times.


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