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Chi the kitten doesn’t have superpowers to save the world or a magic pocket to produce futuristic gadgets.
The main protagonist of the “Chi’s Sweet Home” animation is just a typical kitten living an ordinary life with a Japanese family.
One feat she has pulled off, though, is that she's stolen the hearts of millions of people across the globe, especially in France.
The original manga series has been one of the best-selling comic books for children in France.
Chi shows off its dance skills at the Japan Expo. (Provided by Kodansha)
“Chi, bonjour!” exclaimed French fans when an actor in the cat's costume appeared in a live show at the Japan Expo in July in Paris. The annual convention to introduce and promote anime, manga and other Japanese cultural trends, invited Chi as its official guest.
Many children cheered for the kitten, with fans also seen flocking to one section in the venue to check out stationery, everyday items and other products featuring the character.
“Chi’s Sweet Home” is based on a manga created by Kanata Konami and published by Kodansha Ltd. The story follows the daily life of the kitten, and aspects of human activities seen through Chi’s perspective after the baby cat finds itself lost from its family and is rescued by the Yamadas, who live in an apartment complex.
Currently, a 3-D CGI anime series is airing on networks affiliated with TV Tokyo Corp. and is also being streamed on Amazon Video.
Chi has become popular among children in France, with picture books, mugs, stationery and other related goods also on sale at the venue of the Japan Expo held in July 2017. (Hiraku Toda)
According to Kodansha, the original manga has been published in 23 countries and regions including the United States and China with 3.5 million copies in print worldwide.
The cartoon has earned a strong reputation particularly in France where it was first published in 2010. It has been the top selling comic book for children in the country for five straight years until 2016, beating much more famous manga works such as “Detective Conan” (aka “Case Closed”) and “Dragon Ball.”
“We want to make it grow into a classic of the 21st century cherished by a wide range of readers, which is different from the fighting genre popular among young people,” said Kaori Kitamoto, deputy chief of Kodansha’s licensing business department who was responsible for the Chi event at the Japan Expo.
Many households own cats in France, which is known as a feline-loving country.
“Chi is cute because she makes gestures similar to my cat’s at home,” said a 24-year-old woman who bought a character T-shirt at the expo venue with a smile.
Benoit Huot, chief editor for the comics department at Glenat, which publishes the French edition, said that Chi has attracted sympathy (from French people) because they have naturally accepted the way the family is portrayed in the manga as their own.
(ASAHI)
