Look what came from Japan1 min read
Reading Time: < 1 minuteJapan has always been the source of the Filipino’s most favorite animated characters. Who would forget Astro Boy from the “˜50s and Ultraman from the “˜60s, or the ever so famous Hello Kitty and Voltes V of the “˜80s. Then it was Doraremon and Neon Genesis Evangelion in the “˜90s, and the loveable Pokemon in the 2000s.
Evidently, almost every generation of Filipinos grew up with the iconic Japanese character of their time. These days, it is manga that tops most young Filipino’s fascination for the characters from the Land of the Rising Sun.
“It’s because Japanese people love characters. They are already part of our culture, especially of the youth. An example is Hello Kitty. In fact, to promote tourism campaigns, municipal governments in Japan even use characters because they prove to be more effective in catching the attention of the market,” says Japan Foundation Manila director Takatori Shuji.
Japan’s love for characters will be shown at this year’s “Japan: Kingdom of Characters” exhibition to be held at the Tall Galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Roxas Blvd., Manila on July 7 until August 20.
Via Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation
