Kinokoron

Kinokoron きのころん Mushroom Roll¹ September 2004 One day, a lonely mushroom found himself in an empty village. He named this place Kinokoro¹ Village and whenever it rained he reproduced to create his fellow comrades. After that, mushrooms grew from the refreshed soil and his circle of friends increased to a family of 4. ある日、ひとりのきのこが誰もいない村にたどりつきました…。彼はそこをきのころ村と名付け、雨が降るたびに自分の仲間を繁殖させていきました。それから 新たに地のきのこもやってきて、それぞれが自分の仲間を増やし、４つの種族ができあがりました…。 Characters Kinokoron Mushroom Roll Kinokoron was the first to come to Kinokoro Village. This boy is truly an airhead. He loves to have fun by rolling with everyone! 最初にきのころ村にやってきたきのころん。純粋で天然な男の子。みんなで楽しくコロコロ遊ぶことが大好き！ Uchikinochan Little Shy Mushroom She is a very timid and shy girl. She always has a blushed face and promptly instantly fidgets. She has a crush on Kinokoron☆ とっても内気でシャイな女の子。いつもピンクな顔をしてすぐにモジモジしてしまう。このころんに片思い中☆ Chibikino Itty-bitty Mushroom He is still young and like a kid in a candy store! This boy laughs while jumping and squealing. His favorite is riding around on others heads without asking. まだ幼く大はしゃぎ！笑いながらキャーキャ飛び込んでくる男の子。勝手に頭の上に乗るのがお気に入り。 Kinoton² Pointed Mushroom This older brother has a very kind heart but has a little difficulty with acquaintances. He is not talkative at all but actually he is very considerate of everyone. ちょっぴり近付きにくいが心やさしいお兄さん。無口だけれど実はみんなのことを考えてくれている。 Images Translation Notes Korokoro (ころころ) means the movement of rolling and koronkoron (ころんころん) is also rolling movement. Korori (ころり) means plink (sound of something light falling or rolling). The name of the village is Kinokoro, which I believe translates to "Mushroom Roll." Tongari (尖り) means pointed as in pointed as a witch hat. I think the ton in his name refers to how he is more pointed in shape than the other mushrooms.

Tenshinchan

Tenshinchan てんしんちゃん Little Dim Sum¹ September 2005² These cute characters are remarkable! 可愛いキャラで目立っちゃお！ Images Translation Notes Dim sum (点心, literally meaning "touch the heart") is the name for a Chinese cuisine which involves a wide range of light dishes served alongside Chinese tea. It is usually served in the mornings until noon time at Chinese restaurants and at specialty dim sum eateries where typical dishes are available throughout the day. Dishes come in small portions and may include meat, seafood, and vegetables, as well as desserts and fruit. The items are usually served in a small steamer basket or on a small plate. Typical dim sum dishes include different types of dumplings and steamed buns. Wikipedia: Dim sum. The approximate release date for these dumpling characters is based upon the above pencil cap merchandise scans and the contact notebook (連絡帳各).

Pinny-Mu

Pinny-Mu ピニームー Pinny-Mu December 1987¹ Minor characters are increasing and everyday the Pinny Mu world is bursting with activity. Around this time, what kind of mischief are they in the middle of doing... サブキャラクターたちも増え、ピニームーワールドは毎日おおさわぎ。今ごろどんないたずらをしているのやら・・・。 Characters Pinny-Mu Pinny-Mu Pinny-Mu was born on a cold day in December 1987. He lives in Woody Town, where there is tons of peaceful nature. This boy has a big appetite but is a little clumsy. However, he is cared about by many people. ピニームーが生まれたのは、１９８７年１２月の寒い日の事。のどかで自然がいっぱいのウッディタウンに住んでいます。くいしんぼうでちょっとドジな男の 子。でもたくさんの人から愛されています。² Poe Poe A friend of mine is a small penguin. He has black eyes, a beak, and a soft grey feather. He is very shy. His younger brother is tiny and pretty. He looks very happy.² Nap Nap My friend mouse, as he is small he can't see what I can do. So I put him on my head for him. He is the smartest among my friends. He knows many things much more than I do. Today I had him teach how to play "Hide-and-seek."² Images Translation Notes According to RM Licensing, who has licensed San-X characters in the past, Pinny-Mu was born in a cold night of December 1987. Since then, Pinny-Mu has been loved by many people. Now, with the increase of sub-characters such as the penguin, "Poe," and the mouse "Nap," everyday becomes more and more exiting. Maybe they are having fun together at this moment. Name : Pinny-Mu (Boy) Home : Woody Town (Peaceful and natural) Date of birth : Dec 18, 1987 Personality : A lovely big eater and blunderer Hobbies : reading, taking risks, eating, playing outdoor Weak point : jump rope Favorite : Potato soup, strawberry cake, and a starry sky Treasure : Red cap and blue handbag (Handmade by his grandma) Strong point : Climbing trees and baseball Some information has been gathered from various merchandise: 01, 02, 03, 04. Some scans are from Smile Scan.

Hamuchan Collection

Hamuchan Collection ハムちゃんコレクション Little Hamsters Collection December 2000 As hamsters are incredibly popular, here are various ones in costume! This collection is entirely of hamsters in 6 cute varieties (including a school girl, a gal, an angel, and a nurse). 大人気のハムスターがいろいろなコスチュームで新登場！かわいい６種類（女子高生、ギャル、天使、ナース、気ぐるみ）のハムスターを全て、コレクションし たくなるようなシリーズです。 Characters Tomo Tomo From this year on, she is working at Hamu Clinic. She is careful not to make mistakes because the head nurse is scary. For some reason she is popular with elderly men. ことしからハム医院ではたらいている。ふちょうさんがこわいのでミスをしないように気をつけている。なぜかおじいちゃん達に大人気。 Mika Mika She is a second year student at Hamu Academy. Recently, she has had trouble paying her cell phone costs. She is popular in class but she is often late and the teacher is always mad at her. ハム学園の２年生。最近けいたい代が払えなくてこまっている。クラスの人気ものだが、ちこくが多いので先生にいつもおこられている。 Eri Eri She is entering the Hamu Cathedral choir. Her songs are better than anyone and a talent scout has his eye on her. It has been said that she wants to become a gospel singer. ハム教会の聖歌隊にはいっている。歌が他のだれよりもうまく、スカウトマンも目をつけている。本人はゴスペルシンガーになりたいらしい。 Sono Sono She is doing a part time job in Hamu Land. In the middle of the summer, she is quite happy because her body wight decreases to 50g. She saves money for the travel that she loves. A place she wants to try to go to is Angkor Wat, Cambodia. ハムランドでバイトをしている。夏のあいだに体重が５０gもへったのでかなりよろこんでいる。お金をためて旅行するのが大好き。行ってみたいこところはア ンコールワット。 Mayu Mayu She is a first year at Hamu Women's College. She likes Para Para¹ more than anything else. At a club in Hamutahashi,² she dances every night. The trouble is, it has been said that she doesn't have a sense of rhythm. ハム女子大の１年生。３度のごはんよりパラパラが好き。ハム田橋にあるクラブで毎晩おどっている。なやみはリズム感がないことらしい。 Kana Kana She is a senior at Hamu High School. She is the cheerleader captain and everyone has strong faith in her. Recently, it has been said that she is going out with Hamumura-kun³ from the soccer club. ハム高校の３年生。チアリーダーのキャプテンでみんなからの信頼もつよい。最近サッカー部のハム村くんとつきあっているらしい。 Translation Notes Para Para (Japanese: パラパラ; also "Para-Para" or "ParaPara") is a popular Japanese synchronised group dance. Unlike most club dancing and rave dancing, there are specific, preset movements for each song, and everyone does the same moves at once, much like line dancing. Para Para is performed using mostly arm movements; very little lower body movement is involved save for perhaps moving one's hips or stepping in place, although a few routines require more detailed leg motions. Wikipedia: Para Para. Hamutahashi is a pun on places in Japan. "Tahashi" literally translates to "rice field bridge," a common part of Japanese place names. Thus, combining it with "hamu" is a sort of pun. Hamumura is a pun on Japanese names. Many Japanese last names include "mura" in them, and thus combining "Hamu" with "mura" is a sort of pun. To my understanding, the names of the girls don't have any particular meaning except that they are possibly nicknames from their full names. For example, Kana could be short for Kanako and Mayu could be short for Mayumi.

Soreike Otamachan!

Soreike Otamachan! それ行けお玉ちゃん！ Leader Little Onion! September 2005 San-X PDF For the purpose of the delicious meals, such as curry¹ and hamburgers, loved by everyone, Otamachan does intensive training everyday. With many close friends, everyday is packed fully with fun. みんなが大好きなカレーやハンバーガーなどおいしい料理になるために日々とっくんしている「お玉ちゃん」。たくさんの仲間たちとくり広げる楽しい毎日が ぎっしり詰まったシリーズです。 Characters Otamachan Little Onion She is single-heartedly genuine but overly sentimental. じゅんすいでいちず。涙もろいのです。 Papuchan Little Paprika They are three paprika siblings full of energy. げんきいっぱいパプリカ３きょうだい。 Tomappi Cute Little Tomato He is a scatterbrain who inspires the others.★ He is brightly colored. おちょうしもののムードメーカー★あかるくいろどるよ。 Burokko Broccoli Child Now she only has a minor role but she makes great effort for prospects of becoming an idol. いまはわき役だけどアイドルをゆめみてどりょくくてるの。 Jyagarou Potato Boy There is some chemistry with Otamachan. They are best friends. お玉ちゃんとあいしょうバッグン！！だいしんゆうだよ。 Cabbage Cabbage It doesn't want to become shredded. せんぎりになるのだけはイヤだとおもっています。 Applechan Little Apple She has a little bit of a shy nature. She is very nervous. ちょっぴりはずかしがりや。ドキドキしてるの。 Ninsan Mr. Carrot Everyone depends on him as an older brother. たよれるみんなのお兄ちゃんてきそんざい。 Kabuccho Little Turnip He has few chances to be a part but everyone encourages him. でばんはすくないけどみんなをおうえんしてます。 Mamecchi Little Beans They are very interested in health. They also check food topics for beans. けんこうオタク。わだいのしょくひんもマメにチェックしてるよ。 Masshuu Mushroom They are food critics called Masshuu Check!! りょうりひょうろんかマッシューチェック！！ Ruuchan Little Roux² Melting yumminess is under investigation!! とろけるおいしさをけんきゅう中！！ Images Translation Notes Curry refers to Japanese curry, which is more sweet than spicy. The main vegetable ingredients are onions, carrots, and potatoes. For the meat, beef, pork, chicken and sometimes duck are the most popular. Japanese curry is not a soup but instead a sort of stew that is eaten on top of rice. Wikipedia: Japanese curry Curry roux (カレールー) is a ready-made curry sauce mix that look like little brown cubes which are melted with hot water to make the sauce. Wikiepdia: Japanese curry I've seen that a sort of unoffical English name for Soreike Otamachan! is "Soup Family." However, this is not a translation of the name nor are the characters solely about soup, which actually isn't soup but Japanese curry (as explained above). The vegetable characters not only frequent the curry but also hamburgers, spaghetti, and more!