BY KEI SHIRAHAMA

Do you know "PINGU?" "PINGU" is a cartoon depicting life of Pingu, a penguin in the South Pole. This story was created by Otmar Gutmann in Switzerland in 1986. The Berlin Film Festival was first to show "PINGU," and it has become popular all over the world. In Japan "PINGU" is booming among children and students. Now it has been published in picture book form, and it also has been put out on video. Moreover, a variety of goods related to "PINGU" has been brought to market, and it is loved by many people of various ages.

One attractive thing about "PINGU" is their voices. Their voices are not a real language. But if we hear the voices while watching the cartoon, we are charmed into the world of "PINGU." Their voices have a magical power. It is because their voices are not a real language such as English or Japanese that people love "PINGU" naturally all over the world.

Pingu, the hero in this story, lives with his father, mother and sister "PINGA." Besides his family, there are many other characters, such as the woman at the fish shop and the seal "ROBBY." Whether arguing or helping each other, they live their lives with heartful contact. When I watch the life of Pingu, I feel he is cute like a child, and I remember my childhood with warm feelings.

Pingu lives by expressing his feelings honestly. And he loves his friends, and his friends love him. Pingu makes those who are afraid of living honestly and those who foget to treasure friendship notice "the importance of treasuring friends."

"PINGU" is a work which draws people into the world of "PINGU" by sounds that soften the heart by the cuteness of the characters and that teaches people "the importance of communicating their feelings and of treasuring friends." "PINGU" has power which gives release from reality to those who live in a stressful society and makes people happy. I hope many people get to know "PINGU" and soften their hearts and get rid of their stress.