History UsefulNotes / Kawaisa

** Unless you're fighting them, in which case they're probably more like the sentry turrets from VideoGame/{{Portal}}.
*** Which, incidentally, are the cutest sentry turrets ever.

The word "kawaii" in Japanese has a broader definition than the English word "cute". When applied to pop culture, "cute" will suffice; however "kawaii" refers primarily to the affection of a parent toward a child coupled with the protectiveness for the innocent and weak. Thus a pop cartoon character is considered "kawaii" because it exemplifies the innocence of a child and evokes general protective, caring instincts in the viewer. Other translations of "kawaii" can include "precious", "lovable", "adorable" or "innocent". Can very easily mean "TastesLikeDiabetes". It could be considered a factor on why the ChristmasCake {{trope}} exists. Cuteness saturates Japanese culture so much that one can call this "The Cult of Cute". Just like being sexy and attractive is considered desirable for Western women, this is considered a desirable trait for a Japanese woman, [[YamatoNadeshiko among other feminine traits]]. Women in their twenties or even thirties might use a high-pitched voice simply because it sounds cute, despite the rest of the world finding it rather weird.

* Parodied in the ''BattleRoyale'' film, where the rules of the titular deathmatch are explained by a cute and cheerful young woman (better known as [[NeonGenesisEvangelion Asuka]]). When she finds that the weapon in her pack is an ''axe'', she exclaims, "This one's super-lucky!" Much of the film's atmosphere comes from the juxtaposition of brutal violence with school-age drama over popularity and crushes.

* Can YuiHorie make NeedForSpeed Kawaii? [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpO3aH4QTNM You be the judge]].

Japan traditionally has had a fascination with beauty. Japan's appreciation with cuteness is a part of this trend. As a current cultural phenomenon, cuteness is increasingly accepted in Japan as a part of Japanese culture and national identity. Tomoyuki Sugiyama, author of "''Cool Japan''", believes that "cuteness" is rooted in Japan's harmony-loving culture, and Nobuyoshi Kurita, a sociology professor at Musashi University in Tokyo, has stated that "cute" is a "magic term" that encompasses everything that's acceptable and desirable in Japan. [[TropesAreNotBad This is not entirely a bad thing]].

On the other hand, those skeptical of this "cuteness" consider it a sign of an infantile mentality. In particular, Hiroto Murasawa, professor of beauty and culture at Osaka Shoin Women's University, asserts that cuteness is "a mentality that breeds non-assertion ... Individuals who choose to stand out get beaten down." Controversially, some have suggested that Japan's brutal defeat in WorldWarII bred this mentality, viewing it as the only way to explain how the warrior culture of ImperialJapan did a complete 180° in just a couple of generations. The [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superflat Superflat]] art movement was begun by Japanese artists who began using GrotesqueCute and its related {{trope}}s as a satirical comment on the culture's obsession with cuteness; their philosophy relates it to the inevitable conflict between Eastern and Western ethical and artistic traditions -- a conflict in which all of Japan has been living for well over a century.

* Main/ChineseGirl

In Japanese culture, the polar opposite of this is {{Hentai}}.

* Strangely, parts of this seem to be headed towards being a DeadHorseTrope -- for example, the taste for high-pitched female voices has faded to the point that it's not heard much anymore.
** Might vary by area-- just two years ago a Western woman could get much entertainment by listening to the difference between Japanese women talking to other women and the change in pitch as soon as a man came into view-- Japanese or Western!

* Main/{{Shotacon}}

* The {{Kirby}} series is a notable deconstruction of this trope. While most of its inhabitants carefree and Dreamland is pretty much an idyllic paradise, it is always constantly being invaded by [[NightmareFuel dark forces]] and [[EldritchAbomination Eldritch Abominations]], some of which even possess said cute inhabitants. Things tend to get dramatically serious when [[SugarApocalypse the lives of the Dreamlanders are at stake]], and Kirby himself changes gears from being just a cute moeblob to the assertive BadAss.

* Main/{{Lolicon}}

[[AC: On This Very Wiki]]

*** The cultural dissonance in video games between Japan and America is very noticeable in ''{{Nier}}''. Two versions of essentially the same game were made and marketed distinctly for American and Japanese audiences. The American version has a gruff, hard male protagonist, while the Japanese version has an effeminate, sensitive male protagonist. Again, these two characters are, essentially, the same character in both games.
* Moogles in the ''FinalFantasy'' games seems to serve no other purpose than cutifying every where they exist.

On the other hand, those skeptical of this "cuteness" consider it a sign of an infantile mentality. In particular, Hiroto Murasawa, professor of beauty and culture at Osaka Shoin Women's University, asserts that cuteness is "a mentality that breeds non-assertion ... Individuals who choose to stand out get beaten down." [[YourMileageMayVary Controversially]], some have suggested that Japan's brutal defeat in WorldWarII bred this mentality, viewing it as the only way to explain how the warrior culture of ImperialJapan did a complete 180° in just a couple of generations. The [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superflat Superflat]] art movement was begun by Japanese artists who began using GrotesqueCute and its related {{trope}}s as a satirical comment on the culture's obsession with cuteness; their philosophy relates it to the inevitable conflict between Eastern and Western ethical and artistic traditions -- a conflict in which all of Japan has been living for well over a century.

* [[HaruhiSuzumiya Mikuru's]] defining characteristic is that Kyon thinks she is cute. Really really cute. He goes on and on about it. After that there's something about being a time traveller but [[spoiler:Nagato and her (Mikuru's) adult form]] are usually the ones to take care of that. Oh, and there was one more thing but [[CatchPhrase it's classified]].

* Main/CuteShotaroBoy

* Reportedly Chip and Dale are the most popular Disney characters in Japan; no doubt this is why.
** Actually, when this Troper went to Japan with a group, they saw a lot more of [[LiloAndStitch Stitch]].

Cute merchandise is extremely popular in Japan. The two largest manufacturers of such merchandise are Sanrio (manufacturers of "''HelloKitty''") and San-X (manufacturers of "Kogepan", "Nyan Nyan Nyanko" and "Rilakkuma"). This character merchandise is a hit with Japanese children and adults alike.

** Unless you're fighting them, in which case they're probably more like the sentry turrets from {{Portal}}.

This phenomenon probably explains why it's hard to pin down the ages of {{anime}} characters, particularly females, as they tend to combine young characteristics (wide eyes, overall cuteness/vulnerability) with 'older' characteristics (such as disproportionate intelligence, wisdom... or [[MostCommonSuperpower breasts]]). See "GenericCuteness" for related information.

This phenomenon probably explains why it's hard to pin down the ages of {{anime}} characters, particularly females, as they tend to combine young characteristics (wide eyes, overall cuteness/vulnerability) with 'older' characteristics (such as disproportionate intelligence, wisdom...or breasts). See "GenericCuteness" for related information.

* ''{{Pokemon}}''

* ''ChalkZone'' was one of Nick Japan's most popular show. [[{{Moe}} No surprise there]].