The World of Gudetama: From Lazy Eggs to Sanrio Stardom

Gudetama, the adorable and indifferent egg character created by Sanrio, has become a global phenomenon. Do you love this character? In this blog post, Japan Figure will delve into the world of Gudetama, exploring its origins, the meaning behind its name, and the reasons behind the character's popularity.

1. Who is Gudetama Sanrio?

Gudetama is a Sanrio character known for its egg-like appearance. What does Gudetama mean? The name Gudetama is a combination of two parts: The first part is derived from the ideophone "gudegude" (Japanese: ぐでぐで), which conveys the idea of something lazy and lacking energy. The second part comes from the Japanese word "tamago" (Japanese: たまご), meaning egg. Therefore, the name "Gudetama" translates from Japanese to English as "lazy egg."

Gudetama Sanrio character

Gudetama egg is typically depicted as the yolk of a raw egg with a butt crack, sporting a yellow color reminiscent of honey and ripe corn kernels. It has a head without a neck and a limb-bearing body without fingers and toes. Its eyes are illustrated as two black beans, giving it a lazy appearance. The character is non-binary as it represents an unfertilized egg and is sometimes portrayed lying on an egg white bed while using bacon as a blanket. Additionally, there are various depictions of Gudetama corresponding to different methods of cooking eggs.

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2. Gudetama's Background

Gudetama was brought to life by the creative mind of AMY, a 26-year-old designer at Sanrio whose real name is Nagashima Emi (Japanese: 永嶋 瑛美). Having graduated from Joshibi University of Art and Design in 2012, AMY typically focused on crafting female characters as a way to convey the beauty of women through her artwork.

Gudetama, the adorable and lazy egg character from Sanrio

The inspiration for Gudetama egg struck AMY during a particularly tiring day at work when she was preparing dinner. It was the cuteness of a droopy-yolked egg that caught her attention. To her, the yolk resembled today's young people, weary and fatigued with life. Motivated by this observation, she decided to create an egg character, endowing it with a personality aimed at resonating with millennials of this generation.

Gudetama is an anthropomorphic egg with a lazy and unmotivated personality.

In 2013, Gudetama Sanrio made its debut in the Food Character Election (食べキャラ総選挙), a food-themed competition organized by Sanrio to inspire designers and introduce new characters. While Gudetama secured the second position in the competition, the winner was a cheerful salmon fillet named Kirimichan. Despite initially trailing behind Kirimichan in popularity, Gudetama gradually amassed more fans and achieved a higher market value than its cute salmon counterpart.

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3. Why is Gudetama Lazy?

Gudetama's character is intentionally designed to be lazy as part of its unique and humorous personality. The creators at Sanrio wanted to portray a character that stands out from traditional, energetic, and motivated characters. Gudetama's laziness is exaggerated for comedic effect, and it adds a touch of relatability for many people who might feel tired or unmotivated at times.

The character is often depicted as a yolk with arms and legs, lounging around or in various states of disinterest.

The concept of Gudetama egg being a lazy egg also plays into the Japanese culture of anthropomorphizing everyday objects and animals. In this case, it's the personification of an egg with a distinct and amusing personality trait. Gudetama's laziness is a key aspect of its charm, making it a lovable and relatable character for those who appreciate its laid-back attitude and humorous representation of the desire to take things easy.

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4. Why is Gudetama so Popular ?

Gudetama Sanrio has achieved considerable popularity due to his unique and adorable character designs. Gudetama's seductive appeal lies in the fact that he is portrayed as a lazy egg, a far cry from the usual active and energetic characters. This quirky approach resonated with a wide audience, as many found humor and understanding in Gudetama's nonchalant demeanor, which reflected his desire to occasionally relax and adopt a laid-back attitude.

Gudetama has gained popularity through merchandise, animations, and collaborations with various brands.

Sanrio's success in creating characters with distinct personalities, along with Gudetama's integration into various forms of media, merchandise and collaborations, has contributed significantly to its widespread recognition.

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In conclusion, Gudetama's appeal lies in its ability to turn laziness into an endearing quality. Whether you're a seasoned Gudetama fan or a newcomer to the world of cute characters, there's something undeniably charming about this lazy egg. Embrace the laid-back lifestyle with Gudetama Sanrio and let its adorable indifference bring a smile to your face. You can find a host of Gudetama products at Japan Figure.