Japan's Pop Culture Phenomena 'Mameshiba' Debuts Online Store, Official Fan Site & New Product!

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- An online store, official fan site and new products based on "Mameshiba" – an appealing collection of Japanese 'bean-dog' characters spouting oddball bits of trivia – are launching in English-speaking territories.  

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100212/LA53355)

In response to the passionate fan demand for product, DCI Los Angeles (DCI-LA) has announced that consumers can now get fast access to "Mameshiba" products at an all-new online store, www.mameshibastore.com.  T-shirts, wall decor, and electronic device skins will be available.  Brick-and-mortar retailers selling plush, beanies, vinyl figures, and books will be announced soon.  

At fan site www.mameshibaworld.com, fans can play games, view videos, win prizes and receive breaking news.  Short videos featuring the quirky "Mameshiba" went viral in the summer, attracting over 2 million views on YouTube and thousands of blog and fan site postings.

The "Mameshiba" characters were originally created in 2008 by global advertising, communications and marketing company Dentsu Inc. in Japan.  They have rapidly evolved into an extremely popular licensing property, with 77.8% brand recognition among those under 40 in Japan, and 2009 retail sales of the licensed merchandise recorded $55MM in Japan alone.  

"Mameshiba" characters include Fava Bean, Tiger Bean, Red Bean, Soybean, Chili Bean, Almond, Edamame, Peanut, Lentil, as well as subgroups of Jelly Bean and Coffee Bean characters.  There are also a trio of Green Peas, a Chickpea and "The Scream," based on the famous painting of the same name by Edvard Munch.  The "Mameshiba" are known for offering irreverent bits of wisdom, such as, "Did you know?  The inside of a kangaroo's pouch is smelly." and "Did you know?  A hippo's sweat is pink."

About DCI Los Angeles

Headquartered in Santa Monica, CA, DCI Los Angeles (DCI-LA) was formed in 2008 to develop and co-produce animation content for broadcasters and media businesses worldwide.  The company's strategy unites North American and European development talent with Japanese animation expertise.  DCI-LA will also manage the distribution and licensing efforts for its own productions, and for those in which it has invested.

SOURCE DCI Los Angeles

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