Reflection
I chose the Sanrio character Cinnamoroll. He is a fluffy white puppy with long ears that let him fly, and his tail looks like a cinnamon roll. Cinnamoroll works at Café Cinnamon, where he was discovered by the café owner, who saw him flying in the sky like a fluffy cloud. He is friendly, loves to nap, and often helps the café’s customers.
Cinnamoroll has been featured in collaborations with fashion brands, stationery, and even tech gadgets. He was created by Miyuki Okumura and first appeared in 2001. One interesting fact is that Cinnamoroll became so popular that he won the Sanrio Character Ranking multiple times, including in 2022.
Kawaii culture has a big influence on the media I consume. I enjoy seeing kawaii characters in anime and games. Products that are “kawaii” often feel comforting and bring a sense of joy. For me, “kawaii” is more than just “cute” in English. While “cute” is often used for things that are simply pretty or adorable, “kawaii” has a deeper emotional connection. It can represent something soft or kind.
Among the different types of kawaii, I find ゆめかわ (dreamy cute) really interesting because it combines pastel colors with fantasy-like imagery, like unicorns and stars. Something that isn’t traditionally considered cute, but I think has a kawaii aesthetic, is frogs. They are a little odd-looking, but when drawn with big eyes and soft features, they can become incredibly kawaii.
