Plushes of all different comics and characters: Pusheen, pandas, large cats, were spread throughout the basement. However, photography of these items were not allowed, and thus, cannot be inserted to show. However, these plushes ranged from miniature sizes to human life-sizes, and were all wrapped in plastic in order to maintain their appearance. They were spread around and were a main attraction for both ourselves and many of the visitors here at the shop. They have a great initial attraction due to their size and unique expressions and shapes.
Pusheen is a cartoon figure of a cat, who is the subject of many expressive small images that surface the web, and have travelled their way across to Facebook stickers on the Messenger applications. Pusheen is modelled after a comic strip series of a family by Belton, Duff, a dog named Care, and then Pusheen. Pusheen is described as a gray, tabby cat and is subject to audiences of all ages. This internet craze soon became a toy empire, as stuffed animals, plushes, miniature figures, and accessories of all kind are branded with the cat’s adorable frame.It is quite popular to the Japanese culture due to its similarity and artistic qualities of a manga character.
Itty Bitty Boo is a plush as well that is based on Internet art. This was described as the “world’s cutest dog” with the name Boo, and the plushes are called itty bitty because they are designated to be miniature plushes. This character has surfaced through Facebook, and has acquired over 16 million fans globally. Associated with this character and many others is the word “kawaii” ((かわいい,) which can be translated to “lovable/cute/adorable.” This quality of “cuteness/lovability” is becoming quite a prominent factor of Japanese popular culture, shaping toys, food, anime, manga, and more.
Kokkuri-san is a famous fox spirit from the Japanese manga series, Gugure! Kokkuri-san, in which he takes on a legal guardian role for a young female who is not living in healthy conditions. The artistic figure of Kokkuri-san has garnered much popularity, and plushes of this figure can be found globally.
Namakemono no Mikke is a famous sloth in the Japanese culture, from the brand AMUSE which sells Japanese plushies. They are a new character in the AMUSE line, and are described as being “lazy, yet loveable.” They represent peace and tranquility which are motivating factors in the Japanese culture.
Figurines based on anime, manga, and Japanese culture were very popular throughout the store and were on display for all to see. They are regarded as high value objects, reflected by their prices. One figurine can cost anywhere from $50 to up to $300 dollars depending on their popularity and attraction. The prices of these figurines increase as you go up the shelves on the glass case. For example, at the bottom, the figurines will sell for anywhere around $50, while the ones on the top can sell for anywhere from $200-$300+. One thing that was also prevalent throughout figurines was the over-sexualization of female characters in the Japanese culture. Many were seen explicitly exuding sexual prowess, and could be seen spread out throughout the other action figurines. Characters that are represented in figurines ranged from Marvel and DC figures, Witcher 3 Wild Hunt, Juggernaut, Levi (Attack on Titan/ shingeki no kyoujin), Naruto, and more.
