The Cute Character Archive
From tofu fairies to talking cookies, here’s a look at the adorable characters that once stole my heart
The other day when I was at Daiso, I spotted something I hadn’t seen in ages—a Disney character called Young Oyster! It reminded me that I used to be completely obsessed with her, to the point where I owned not one, but two plush toys of her. That moment sent me down a rabbit hole of remembering all the characters I’ve ever been obsessed with… so today, I thought I’d share a few!
Gachapin – A character from a Japanese children’s show called Hirake! Ponkikki.
When I was a kid, I thought the green balls on his wrists were green peas, and the pink and yellow stripes on his body were ham and egg sandwich fillings. But I recently looked him up and apparently he’s actually a baby dinosaur (so… not food??), and those green balls are “power balls” that give him courage and strength when he faces challenges. OK wow, fine, not edible. My bad.
To-fu Oyako – A little tofu fairy family created by the art design company Devilrobots.
Source: To-fu Oyako
Their permanently troubled facial expressions are somehow extremely lovable.
Young Oyster –Oyster character from Alice in Wonderland.
Source: KAKIPEDIA
Actually they are "Curious Oysters", a family of young oysters and a mom! The chubby cheeks! The tiny body sitting politely inside a shell! It’s too cute. TOO. CUTE.
SWIMMER – Not a character, but a now-closed Japanese brand that made the cutest stationery, combs, and mirrors you could imagine.
Source: CanCam.jp
Back when I was in middle and high school, my friends and I were obsessed. Everything was pastel, sparkly, and covered in bows and tiny animals. Sadly, the brand ended in 2018, but it’ll always have a nostalgic place in my heart, so I’m including it here.
Gingerbread Man from Shrek – When I found out this character was going to be a Happy Meal toy, I ran straight to McDonald’s.
Source: Mercari
I don’t even know why I love him so much, I just DO.
After writing all this, I realized something kind of obvious: I really like personified food characters. Maybe it’s because I grew up with the Japanese concept of animism—the idea that even objects and food can have spirits. That belief makes it super easy for me to accept a piece of tofu or a gingerbread cookie having a face, a backstory, and maybe even a love life. And honestly? Thinking about that kind of thing is so much fun.
If I find any new cute characters, I’ll report back here immediately!