Character Spotlight: The Penguins of Sumikko Gurashi

Most people know of Hello Kitty, the bow wearing cat who can be found on everything from coloring books to designer bags. In Japan, such brands are popular; characters made not for a cartoon but for merchandising (although they may later earn a movie or book series). These characters often have distinct personalities, their life stories told through theme sets, animated shorts and comic collections. For our purposes, the characters I would like to focus on are called Sumikko Gurashi.

A bookstore advertises a Sumikko Gurashi book fair and art exhibit

The author's Sumikko Gurashi umbrella

Translating to “Life in the Corner”, the Sumikkos (as they’re called) are a varied group of animals, foods and even household items who prefer life, well, “in the corner”, often huddled together or stacked like totem poles. Like many of these merchandise characters, the Sumikkos are intended to be genderless. A character may wear a dress in one storyline, and a tuxedo the next. The cast of characters is large and ever growing, but of the core five my favorite character is Penguin?.

Penguin?

Penguin? remembers once wearing a plate on their head

Penguin? dresses up for an illustration of Takarazuka Station

As their name might suggest, Penguin? suffers from an identity crisis. Who ever heard of a green penguin, and why do they remember a plate on their head?1 Their storylines often deal with a wish to belong. In the first Sumikko Gurashi movie, The Unexpected Picture Book and the Secret Child, Penguin? develops a strong friendship with Hiyoko?, a young chick without friends or family. (The first movie made me sob in my husband’s arms. I highly recommend it.)

Penguin (Real)

The author's Penguin (Real) plush

A Christmas Penguin (Real) rides a toy train with Penguin?

One of the supporting characters, Penguin (Real) is, you guessed it, a real penguin, and when they first met the other Sumikkos, there was tension between Penguin (Real) and Penguin?. In time, Penguin? overcame their jealousy, and the two became friends. Penguin (Real) likes fish, enjoys travelling, and dreams of opening an Ice Cream Van.

The author poses at a photo spot during a Sumikko Gurashi x Hankyu Railways stamp rally

A movie poster for the 2nd film, A Magical Child of the Blue Moonlit Night

Sumikko Gurashi is quite popular in Japan, to the point of having frequent collaborations with train companies and restaurants. Sumikkos have even been named ambassadors for various organizations. Their third movie, The Mysterious Child of the Makeshift Factory, will be released to theaters in Japan on November 3rd— and I plan to see it!

Sumikko Gurashi wiki (English)

Sumikko Gurashi The Movie: The Mysterious Child of the Makeshift Factory (Japanese))