Tsukumo-tan
Company Mascot | |
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General Information | |
Name | Tsukumo-tan |
Designer | 🇯🇵 O-ji (Toypla) |
Debut | 2009-09-08 |
Representation | |
Represents | 🇯🇵 Tsukumo |
Owner | 🇯🇵 Yamada Denki Co. Ltd. |
Appearance | |
Hair Color | Blonde , Green (Bottom) |
Eye Color | Green |
Tsukumo-tan (Japanese: つくもたん) was the moe mascot of Tsukumo (ツクモ), a computer hardware store and subsidiary of Yamada Denki Co. Ltd.
She is owned by Toypla (Toy's Planning) and was designed by an artist credited as O-ji in her artworks, and also known as Noantica.
History
Debut
She debuted as an unnamed character printed in Chibi style on paper bags that were distributed during a late night sale that started from 22:00 (JST) on September 7, 2009, to commemorate the launch of Intel Lynnfield processors, officially released at midnight during the event[1][2][3].
A provisional name for her (that did end up becoming permanent) was quickly revealed to be Tsukumo-tan as the bags continued to be distributed at Tsukumo stores, but with the condition of spending more than 9,900 yens[4][5].
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The original Chibi drawing.
Akihabara's Most Popular Moe Mascot
The Moe Bags were popular enough that a second edition featuring new illustrations of Tsukumo-tan was planned[6], and a drawing of her in a regular style was also revealed. The artworks ended up being used for merchandises distributed during a night sale commemorating the launch of Windows 7, and the first Moe Bag was also rerun a last time there[7][8][9].
Tsukumo-tan's popularity quickly rose to the point that she won the first edition of the Akihabara Moe Characters Contest held the same year as her debut, with 1402 votes, seconded by Nanami Madobe who obtained 1047 votes. New merchandise featuring her such as new Moe Bags, clear files and mugs continued to be regularly made and distributed as bonuses when buying at Tsukumo, with the spending at least 10,000 yens condition becoming the usual one to get them.
Her popularity remained solid for a decade as she won all the subsequent popularity contests in which she appeared.
Retirement and Successors
On September 8, 2020, Tsukumo announced the termination of the contract with Toypla and consequently the retirement of Tsukumo-tan as their mascot[10]. Akiba PC Hotline mentions the coronavirus that prevented stores from attracting customers, and that clear files stopped being distributed[11], such context may have prompted Tsukumo to take their decision. Tsukumo-tan could not be selected in the 2020 edition of the Akihabara Moe Characters Contest despite having being active this year, and all the contests have since then been won by Suisho Shizuku.
A new mascot named Tsukumo Tokka (九十九 トッカ, pronounced ツクモ トッカ), who already debuted on July 3, started to appear in place of Tsukumo-tan since around October[12].
Tokka's role as mascot was however short lived as she already stopped representing Tsukumo in 2021 due to a restructuring and the staff in charge of her leaving to become independant. Since then, three new characters (all unnamed) appeared in place of her[13], though it is unclear whether they actually act as mascots. One of them participated to the 2022 and 2023 editions of the Moe Characters Contest.
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Tsukumo Tokka.
Profile
Not much is revealed about her. She is known to speak with a snarky language contrasting with her cuteness[11].
She has two sisters,
- Labi-tan, older sister who debuted in the Windows 7 night sale and represents Yamada Denki's Labi stores[14].
- Junk-tan, who appeared in early 2012[15]
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The Sisters, Junk-tan on the left and Labi-tan on the right.
Quotes
しかたないね。
It can't be helped.
I'm so charming that it's only natural for me to be the undisputable winner!
It can’t be helped!!
But the truth is, O-ji-sensei drew me so cutely. Thanks, Sensei! Thanks to everyone who voted for me! I'm so happy!
Notable Collaboration Moe Mascots
Besides Labi-tan, Tsukumo-tan had collaborations with the following characters.
- CC Chu: CyberConnect2 Co., Ltd. made a few merchandises, mainly clear files, featuring both Tsukumo-tan and their own moe mascot CC Chu[17].
- Nanami and Tōko Madobe: Tsukumo participated in most campaigns run by Windows 7 Mania or Windows Navi+, though there is only one merchandise featuring Tsukumo-tan and the OS mascots together, a set of three can badges[18], as the Mascot were otherwise always featured separately.
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Illustration of a collaboration with CC Chu.
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Illustration of the collaboration with Nanami and Tōko Madobe.
Trivia
- She has many references to the number 99, notably in her hair ornaments or her alleged bust size, as Tsukumo (ツクモ) may be interpreted as this number[19].
- Despite her popularity, she was not featured in any animated work such as a commercial, nor has a voice actress, unlike many less popular moe mascots.
- Outside Japan or even Akihabara, she remains a very obscure moe mascot. Software mascots like Nanami Madobe are much better known and popular.
- There was also a collaboration with AMD's Ruby in which Tsukumo-tan was represented cosplaying her[20].
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Illustration of the collaboration with Ruby.
See Also
External Links
- Tsukumo Shop Homepage
- Yamada Denki Homepage
- Toypla Homepage (⚠️ Sensitive Content)
- O-ji/Noantica Personal Page (latest known working archive)
- O-ji/Noantica X Account @noantica
- Livedoor Blog: Articles about a Tsukumo-tan Merchandise Exposition (1, 2, 3)
- Akiba PC Hotline: Memories with Tsukumo-tan
Notes and References
- ↑ Tsukumo Shop Page about the Intel Late Night Sale
- ↑ Tsukumo Blog: Late night sale!!! Scheduled from 22:00 on Monday, September 7th
- ↑ Akiba Souken Article about the Late Night Sale
- ↑ Akiba Souken: The Name of Tsukumo's Moe (Personification?) Character is Tsukumo-tan (provisional)
- ↑ AkibaMap: Tsukumo's Moe Character Tsukumo-tan (provisional)
- ↑ Ascii.jp: 99cm Bust!? A second edition of the popular Tsukumo Moe Bag is in preparation!
- ↑ AkibaMap: A Tsukumo-tan 2nd edition Moe Bag and Mug in Tsukumo's Windows 7 Late Night Sale?
- ↑ Tsukumo Shop Page about the Windows 7 Late Night Sale
- ↑ Tsukumo Blog: Windows 7 Late Night Sale Information
- ↑ Tsukumo's Announcement on X
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Akiba PC Hotline: Tsukumo-tan, a popular character that enlivened the PC parts industry, has finally graduated (contract ended)!
- ↑ Akiba PC Hotline: Tsukumo-tan's Successor? Tsukumo's virtual salesperson Tsukumo Tokka can now be seen in stores
- ↑ Female Characters Recently Seen at Tsukumo Stores, Tsukumo Tokka left Tsukumo and became a VTuber
- ↑ Akiba Map: Tsukumo-tan's older sister Rabitan
- ↑ Akiba PC Hotline: Distribution of Chocolates and Presents on Valentine's Day. Nanami Madobe, Tsukumo-tan, Akuko, Cletan, and more...
- ↑ Akihabara Moe Characters 2009 Contest Results
- ↑ Cyber Connect 2: Collaboration List
- ↑ Tsukumo Blog: Customers who purchase eligible Windows 10 Products will receive a Set of Nanami, Tōko, and Tsukumotan Can Badges!
- ↑ Explanation of the 99 reading by a restaurant also named Tsukumo (that has nothing to do with the computer shop)
- ↑ Tsukumo Blog: Tsukumo-tan: New Collaboration Announced!
Tsukumo | |
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Tsukumo Sisters | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Other Mascots | ![]() ![]() ![]() |