Tarepanda
History
=Creation=
=Characteristics=
Tarepanda is a character that moves by rolling over, with a record speed of 2.75 m/h.[https://www.wired.com/wired/archive/7.12/cute.html?pg=2&topic=&topic_set= Roach, M. (1999). Wired 7.12: Cute Inc.] Retrieved May 29, 2011 Tarepanda's favorite food is mochi {{nihongo||餅}}, especially suama {{nihongo||寿甘}}.San-X.net. (2011). Tarepanda. Retrieved May 29, 2011, from http://www.san-x.jp/characters/tarepanda.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515062148/http://www.san-x.jp/characters/tarepanda.html |date=2017-05-15 }}Tariepie. Retrieved May 29, 2011, from http://tarepie.tripod.com/sum3.htm
=Popularity=
In February 1998, San-X launched Tarepanda erasers and letter pads, which proved enormous hits. San-X believed these products were successful because they were released shortly after the 1997 Asian financial crisis, a time when many people in Japan were facing layoffs and, consequently, were sympathetic toward a "worn-out" panda character. Sales of Tarepanda goods exceeded {{¥|30 billion}} ({{US$|291 million|long=no}}) in the first few months of its release.{{cite journal |title=Market: Asia Pacific |journal=Market: Asia Pacific |date=1999 |volume=8-10 |page=7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U0QsAQAAMAAJ |publisher=W-Two Publications |quote=Sales of the toy passed {{¥|30 billion}} ({{US$|291 million}}) in the first few months of its release.}}Takuya Hamashima, "Stressed out? You need 'virtual healing'!", Yomiuri Shimbun, November 27, 1999, at 7. It became Japan's seventh top-grossing character of 1999, generating {{¥|{{#expr:2100*(3.16/100)}} billion}} ({{US$|{{#expr:66360/113.907 round 0}} million|long=no}}) in merchandise sales that year,{{cite book |last=Tsukada |first=Yuko |chapter=Action! Report No.3: 市場環境を調べる |title=クリエイターのための自営学 |chapter-url=https://jieigaku.net/report3-2.htm |publisher=Creative Work Station / Asuka Publishing |date=September 7, 2001 |isbn=4756911501 |language=ja |access-date=September 7, 2018}}{{cite web |title=Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average) - Japan |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/PA.NUS.FCRF?end=2003&locations=JP&start=2002 |website=World Bank |year=2003 |access-date=26 January 2021}} adding up to {{¥|{{#expr:30+66.36}} billion}} ({{US$|{{#expr:291+583}} million|long=no}}) merchandise sales in Japan by 1999.
Tarepanda was a major hit in Japan. It has appeared on annual retail sales charts published by Character Databank, a Japanese character sales monitoring firm, {{as of|2010|lc=y}}.{{cite news |title=In Search of Adorable, as Hello Kitty Gets Closer to Goodbye|first=Hiroko |last=Tabuchi |author-link=Hiroko Tabuchi |newspaper=NYTimes.com |date=May 14, 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/business/global/15kitty.html?src=me&ref=business}} It was rated one of the most popular characters in Japan for its cuteness.
Merchandise
=Picture books=
- Tarepanda: Kyou mo Yoku Tareteimasu. (Hikaru Suemasa, June 1999, {{ISBN|4-09-681211-0}})
- Taregoyomi: Nengara Nenju Tareteimasu. (Hikaru Suemasa, September 1999, {{ISBN|4-09-681212-9}})
- Taredzukushi: Tarepanda Fuanbukku (Hikaru Suemasa, March 2000, {{ISBN|4-09-681213-7}})
- Tareyukumamani: Kigatsuku to Sobani iru (Hikaru Suemasa, April 2001, {{ISBN|4-09-681214-5}})
=Sticker books=
- Tarepanda Shiiru (Hikaru Suemasa, March 2000, {{ISBN|4-09-734351-3}})
=Videos=
- Tarepanda (Bandai Visual, VHS, 2000/7/25)
- Tarepanda (Bandai Visual, DVD, 2000/8/25)
=Games=
- Tarepanda no Gunpei (Bandai, WonderSwan, December 9, 1999)
- Taregoro: Tarepanda no Iru Nichijou (Bandai, PlayStation, August 31, 2000)
=Computer=
- Tarepanda (Interchannel, 2001/6/29, typing-tutor software)
- Tare Tsuzuri (Interchannel, 2001/11/22, card-creation software)
- Tarepanda Toissho (Fortyfive, 1999/4/16, desktop accessories)
- Tarepanda Toissho 2 (Fortyfive, 1999/8/10, desktop accessories)
- Tarepanda Toissho 3 (Fortyfive, 2000/4/28, desktop accessories)
- Tarepanda Toissho Tsume Awa Se (Fortyfive, 2002/2/8, desktop accessories)