KIKKOUCHAN, a well-known bunny in bondage, has left his hometown Sendai to start a nationwide tour! What is the ambition of Bachiko, the creator of the show?

KIKKOUCHN's is a character from Sendai that we at HOUYHNHNM's have been following. Kikko-chan, who looks cute but is actually a pervert, has left her hometown to start a nationwide tour! KIKKOUCHAN, who is well-known for his cute face but is actually a pervert, is going to leave his hometown and start a nationwide tour!

First, KIKKOUCHAN goods will be sold at PENGUIN SOUVENIR on the 6th floor of Shibuya PARCO from July to August. Starting with this, Kikko-chan goods will be sold at PENGUIN SOUVENIR on the 6th floor of PARCO in Shibuya from July to August. In addition to the original goods created especially for this event, past items for which there have been many requests for resale will also be available.

Bachiko, the creator of this character, says, "The national tour is still just a prelude. To find out the truth behind this, we conducted an interview with her. She appeared in her usual casual attire. What is she looking forward to beyond the national tour?

long vowel mark (usually only used in katakana)Previous Interview.was done at the end of November 2019. The world has changed a lot since then, what did you spend your time doing?

Bachiko:Last year, I was planning various events, and I was supposed to have an event with KIKKOUCHAN at a restaurant called "Park Deli" in New York City, but I couldn't make it because of Corona.... I was motivated by these goals, but since many things had to be canceled, I had to slow down a bit.

I see.......................... I am shocked that the New York event is gone....

Bachiko:I'm working on a second collaboration right now, and we're talking about meeting up when things are better. Michael from Park Deli also told me that the restaurant is well received in Brooklyn, so I hope to be able to go there soon.

Did you paint KIKKOUCHAN while you were relaxing at the Corona Disaster?

Bachiko:I did personal things like making New Year's cards for New Year's and occasionally drawing illustrations.

Do you feel like your engine has finally started to pick up this year?

Bachiko:I was also able to collaborate with Sendai's soul food, "Ramendo Sendai Kko," and from there I gradually became more active. It was a lot of fun.

Last year, you also made stuffed toys through crowdfunding.

Bachiko:Yes, that's right! We reached 300 percent of our goal and were able to successfully deliver the stuffed animals to everyone. That made me very happy. I am very grateful for everyone's support.

Do you feel that KIKKOCHAN's fan base is growing rapidly?

Bachiko:I am very happy that we were able to collaborate with various companies and brands, and especially with "Ramendo Sendai Kko" to reach out to people in the local community who do not yet know about KIKKOUCHAN. KIKKOUCHAN was born in Sendai, after all.

Do you feel any anxiety or pressure to become more popular now that you can almost say that you are a local Sendai character?

Bachiko:I'm just like that right now (smiles). We are going to hold a pop-up event at Shibuya Parco at the end of this month, and from there KIKKOUCHAN will leave Sendai as if on a nationwide tour, so I wonder if it will be all right. I am a little worried about whether it will be accepted in each place. I am a little anxious....

So KIKKOUCHAN's true value is finally being tested.

Bachiko:I really don't know what's going to happen... But we won't know until we try!

Why did the idea of a national tour come up this time?

Bachiko:We were told by "Sendai PARCO" :: "We are very happy to have you as our guest. Actually, next year is the 10th anniversary of KIKKOUCHAN's birth.

Oh, wow! It's been 10 years already.

Bachiko:I am surprised at myself that I have been doing the same thing for 10 years (laughs). But I've been lucky enough to be hooked up with all kinds of people. I myself don't feel much different.

I like the loose and fluffy look of KIKKOUCHAN's drawings, which seems to change after 10 years in the business.

Bachiko:No, I'm getting better and better at it (laughs). I wonder if that kind of bad-assery is part of KIKKOUCHAN's charm. I think so. I would like to keep that kind of easygoingness.

What will the national tour be like?

Bachiko:We will have a pop-up at about 5 PARCO stores nationwide, starting with Shibuya. We have created items for this event, as well as goods that we have received many requests to resell.

What exactly do you have in mind?

Bachiko:lighters, T-shirts, stationery, and then there are things like finger skateboards. The most popular items for resale were smartphone cases and rings for smartphones, which can be used in daily life. Basically, we don't re-sell KIKKOUCHAN goods, but this time we wanted to make everyone happy.

Do you sell the standard stickers?

Bachiko:I'm not going to sell the stickers. This is because we think of them as a kind of a bonus. So we plan to give them as a freebie to those who come to the event and make a purchase over a certain amount.

I think you mainly make goods for personal effects.

Bachiko:I like character goods, and I want them to be useful. That's why I can come up with a lot of ideas without much trouble. I think about what I want, come up with more and more ideas, and then create something feasible. I am thinking of a lunch box, for example, and I hope to introduce it at some point.

I was curious about the "KIKKOUCHAN x Chouibusu Key Chain" among the goods you are selling this time.

Bachiko:Have you ever heard of a "little ugly key chain"? Actually, it is a key chain made of clay by a senior student of mine. They are handmade one by one, usually using various motifs, but I ordered KIKKOUCHAN specially for this event. I ordered KIKKOUCHAN especially for this event, and it was limited to 100 pieces.

KIKKOUCHAN's "a little bit ugly" expression is unbearable. In fact, each one is handmade. Key chain ¥2,200 each

Are there any other items you would recommend?

Bachiko:I'm not sure if it's all of it (laughs)!

I see (laughs). Do you know where you are going to hold your next show after Shibuya?

Bachiko:I will decide from now on. But I have decided to hold a triumphal return event at Sendai Parco at the end. I would like to make a stuffed animal for the event!

So KIKKOUCHAN's ambition is finally to produce a stuffed animal?

Bachiko:Yes, I think so.We are planning to start a crowdfunding campaign on September 6 to raise support for the project.For this reason, I wanted to do a national tour so that everyone in Japan could get to know KIKKOUCHAN. We have never held events outside of the prefecture before, so we have always wanted to do so, and I think this is a good opportunity for us. However, I'm nervous because we can't do it unless we raise the target amount through the crowdfunding campaign....

What else do you want to do in addition to the stuffed animals for the Sendai event?

Bachiko:In addition to selling goods, we are planning a "KIKKOUCHAN Exhibition" of sorts. We will introduce KIKKOCHAN and other goods we have collaborated with and created, and we will ask artists we know to draw KIKKOUCHAN and exhibit them. We also plan to show the process of creating KIKKOUCHAN. I would also like to create a photo booth!

Click here for the crowdfunding website.A variety of returns are available, so please support us! The period is until Sunday, October 17.

What kind of crowdfunding rewards do you have in mind as returns?

Bachiko:We are planning to make crowdfunding-only goods and to release all the KIKKOUCHAN stickers we have made so far, and people will be able to choose what they want from the stickers depending on the amount of money they have raised. Some people have said, "I want the KIKKOUCHAN sticker made in collaboration with ◯," and it seems that some people even have a collection of them. So this is a good chance to get something you don't have, or something you wanted but couldn't get.

Also, we will include an autographed KIKKOUCHAN in the special offer. We will listen to the requests of those who support us, and if, for example, they want to see KIKKOUCHAN on a skateboard, we will draw him or her as he or she wishes. In addition to that, we will also give you a portrait of that person. I have done events where I have hand-painted KIKKOUCHAN before, but in this day and age, I couldn't do it. I am planning to draw something more gorgeous than that.

Do you put Bachiko in a stuffed animal?

Bachiko:That's what I wanted to do, so I'm going in!

This is your first time to see KIKKOUCHAN in motion, isn't it?

Bachiko:I think so. I don't think she's a lively character, so I don't think she's going to be a hoot. I wonder how KIKKOUCHAN works.

KIKKOUCHAN's motto is "I don't want to be tied down except by my # body.

Bachiko:I don't have much. At first, I thought of "I came from the planet Kikkou," but it didn't really fit. Then I thought it would be fine without it. Although I created the character, he is already an independent being, so I don't think it's necessary to set him up that way. I hope she will be just a fluffy KIKKOUCHAN.

What do you have planned for next year as your 10th anniversary year?

Bachiko:I would like to do something, but right now I'm busy with the national tour. I would like to develop some ideas while touring in various places.

Do you ever feel that you are too busy and that you hate him?

Bachiko:I'm not! It is not KIKKOUCHAN's fault that I am busy, and I am rather happy that KIKKOUCHAN has become so famous. On the contrary, I'm not sure if it's safe for you to be so famous... (laughs).

I hope the national tour will bring you many more fans.

Bachiko:I think so. It would be great if we could have many visitors. And if we can make stuffed animals, there is nothing to say.

I think it would be interesting to tour the country again once the stuffed animals are ready.

Bachiko:: That's good, too! I'd like to try it.

It would be great if it really became like "Sanrio.

Bachiko:I would be very happy if I did. But I'm sure it's impossible because I'm tied down (laughs).

Bachiko is much busier than she was two years ago. He is now preparing for his ambition to produce a stuffed animal with his eyes vigilantly fixed on it. Please don't miss out on the many events that are planned for KIKKOUCHAN's 10th anniversary, starting with the national tour!

GOODS FOR KIKKOUCHAN POP UP STORE 2021

An embroidered T-shirt that didn't seem possible. The words "I don't want to be tied down except by my # body" are printed on the reverse side.

Big silhouette T-shirts with a large KIKKOUCHAN print on the front. T-shirt ¥5,280 each

Two items that many people have been asking us to re-release. We recommend these two items to those who want to feel KIKKOUCHAN close to them! We recommend these items to those who want to feel Kikko-chan close to their hearts. Key ring ¥1,650, Phone ring ¥1,320

KIKKOUCHAN candles, which were released in 2018 and were very popular, are available again! Each one is carefully handmade by artisans. Available in white and black. Candle ¥3,850 each

What a cool glass with red print on a clear glass. Beer will surely taste great. Glass ¥1,980 (capacity 250ml)

At first glance, this stainless steel bottle evokes a sense of nostalgia. You can easily pull it out of your bag and show it off to everyone. Stainless steel bottle ¥3,300 (200 ml capacity)

This is another phone case that has received many requests for resale. The pink glittery glitter matches KIKKOUCHAN's shimmering appearance. Phone case ¥3,300 each (iPhone 7, 8, SE size, iPhone 12, 12 Pro size)

The self-assembly type finger skateboard comes with stickers! How about practicing finger ollies in your spare time? Also available in yellow and red. Finger skateboard ¥3,520 (W3 x H10cm)

The transparent vinyl pouch has a very cute finish. This item is sure to please women as a gift. Pouch ¥2,750

A simple bucket hat with KIKKOUCHAN embroidered on it. The slightly larger size makes it suitable for men as well. Hat ¥4,400

The lighters are made of transparent plastic and are cheap, in a good sense of the word. Lighter 330Yen each

The photo shows the pop-up store held at Shibuya PARCO from July 30 to August 22. The triumphant return event at Sendai PARCO will include not only product sales, but also art exhibits and a photo booth.

Photo_Kazuma Yamano
Text_Yuichiro Tsuji