Kidults, Mario Bros. and Pikachu: a brief study about the influence of Japanese pop culture on design

Abstract

The present paper discusses the influences of Japanese pop culture on design production and consumption in Brazil, especially among young adults. We collected information on the history of cultural relationship between the two countries, as well as on the Japanese media productions broadcasted in national networks from the 60s to the present days, spanning to digital environments – especially video games. The consequences of these media on the consumption of young adults in the contemporary times are interpreted through the Kidults theory of Furedi (2004). This theory is used in line with Verganti’s design approach (2012) in order to understand the context of design production influenced by the phenomenon of Japanification (WEST, 2009). Products from the Nintendo collection for Vans and Havaianas are examples analyzed in terms of the issues addressed in this study.

Keywords

• Design
• Japanificação
• Consumo Jovem