
With cute little faces like these, it’s easy to see why.
Since late last year, cute little animal heads have been popping up on Twitter, as crafty individuals in Japan began trying out a new “Animal Pom Pom” kit, which comes in a choice of three designs: rabbit, barn owl, and chipmunk.
「森の動物たちのぽんぽんブローチキット」も大好評♪シマリス・うさぎ・メンフクロウの3種!それぞれブローチが2つ作れます。https://t.co/P4jIw1x2jh #森の動物たちのぽんぽんブローチ #動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/yfR181iZyD
— 手芸通販@シュゲールヤフー店 (@shugaleYahoo) February 19, 2016
Since then, the little critters have grown in popularity, and a how-to book filled with a variety of different animal designs was released on February 10 this year.
minneハンドメイド大賞受賞作家 trikotoriさんの著書「動物ぽんぽん」が新入荷♪ふかふかの手触りがいつでもおもいきり楽しめる、そんな動物マスコットが大集合です。https://t.co/5MoZHcewAT #動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/Xw0JYsixrZ
— 手芸通販@シュゲールヤフー店 (@shugaleYahoo) February 19, 2016
The book immediately became a bestseller on Amazon, selling out within days. Now, pre-orders for a new batch of March deliveries have also sold out, making this one of the most sought-after books in the country.
Let’s take a look at some of the gorgeous woollen creatures who’ve stolen everybody’s hearts with their furry, life-like features.
https://twitter.com/neco_mammamia/status/701649575879151617▼ Teddy bears are adorable, even without their bodies!
trikotriさんの「動物ぽんぽん」が届いたので早速くまさん作ってみた!耳の色が違うのはご愛嬌😄🐻 #動物ぽんぽん #ハンドメイド pic.twitter.com/THjE7IjuOZ
— Ume (@Umeta_09) February 15, 2016
▼ As are polar bears, who look so cute we’re tempted to gobble them up.
どれもこれも可愛くて何を作ろうかと悩む(*ˊૢᵕˋૢ*) とりあえず毛糸とハサミ買ってこよう。
— 伊の屋🦔どうぶつまめぐち (@inoya_zacca) February 15, 2016
(しろくまは手持ちの毛糸と糸切り鋏で頑張った)#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/bGHDIb6xkP
しろくまぽんぽん出来た!思い切りよくハサミが入れられず、顔の凹凸が少ないから子熊っぽい。でも可愛い♪#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/TPzMZV2gWk
— 伊の屋🦔どうぶつまめぐち (@inoya_zacca) February 15, 2016
▼ A couple of fat-bellied sparrows look beautiful as they attempt to keep warm together.
https://twitter.com/megreen08/status/700860824240287744▼ Even a close-up shot does nothing to detract from the bird’s realistic features.
https://twitter.com/megreen08/status/700275508571873280▼ By changing the colour of the wool, a whole variety of beautiful birds can be created.
セキセイインコ出来た(*'▽'*)♪
— cocoaෆ⃛ (@rinrin123go) February 14, 2016
何か違う気もするけど(笑)
可愛い〜😍#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/AEhnHrrMND
Stepping away from its lifelike friends, however, is this duck, who looks more like a cartoon character!
エリザベスも作ったwww#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/64LRr7ifgV
— ツピィ (@whitegiantpanda) February 21, 2016
To create the cute animals, a few things are needed in addition to the book and a pair of crafty hands.
#動物ぽんぽん
— 蓮 (@reinosuke) February 13, 2016
TOKAIにありましたぜ。
やわらか〜なまんまる〜い罠ですね、これは。
罠にはまって材料もGET💖 pic.twitter.com/FlIrbAW5Am
One of the most important is the plastic “pom pom maker”, which comes in different sizes.
今日の昼活はここまで。
— クラフトハートトーカイ (@crafthearttokai) February 16, 2016
どの子になるのかな?#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/T6VokUCQbW
While a sharp needle and different coloured yarns slowly bring life to all sorts of cute animals!
https://twitter.com/neco_mammamia/status/699540383529709568お隣は刺しまくり☆
— クラフトハートトーカイ (@crafthearttokai) February 16, 2016
鼻製造中。#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/EyQaRHhsCd
動物ぽんぽん、表紙Ver.②
— cocoaෆ⃛ (@rinrin123go) February 19, 2016
文鳥♡#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/twvsyczSZP
動物ぱんぱん じゃないよ。#動物ぽんぽん #ものことひと市
— trikotri (@trikotri222) February 15, 2016
いよいよ今週末開催です!https://t.co/8fFQhp9lyp pic.twitter.com/7NwNH0rUaX
▼ There’s even a Shiba Inu puppy! Awww…
1個でも、ぽんぽん。♩
— trikotri (@trikotri222) February 4, 2016
♩#動物ぽんぽん#動物ぽんぽんのヒミツ pic.twitter.com/1YRjCCidtR
It’s clear to see why people in Japan can’t get enough of these animal pom poms, especially when they’re all gathered together, gazing up at us with their soulful eyes!
みんな見てる(笑)
— cocoaෆ⃛ (@rinrin123go) February 15, 2016
増殖の為の箱を準備(*'▽'*)♪#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/XUw2xwPwOW
増殖中。#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/AA83KLi1Cg
— shoko (@shochan165) February 21, 2016
To see just how expressive these little characters can be, take a look at the short clip below!
ぽんぽんだってメンチ切ります。#動物ぽんぽん #オラオラ系 pic.twitter.com/c7SZCFPTu1
— trikotri (@trikotri222) January 8, 2016
While we’ll have to wait to see if the books become available on Amazon in March, kits to make the rabbit, barn owl and chipmunk can currently be ordered online for 952 yen (US$8.42) each, plus postage, for domestic delivery within Japan.
キットをお求めくださり、早速作ってくださった動物たちの写真が!!嬉しい〜^ ^ みなさまの作った動物ぽんぽんたちを拝見できたら嬉しいです! #森の動物たちのぽんぽんブローチ pic.twitter.com/4NdmOF6NbW
— trikotri (@trikotri222) November 26, 2015
Source: ITmedia
Top Image: Twitter/@megreen08, Twitter/@tritri222, Twitter/@tritri222

Adorable Shiba Inu is famous on Japanese Twitter for refusing to move when she’s having fun【Pics】
Synchronized Shiba siblings spark spontaneous satisfied squeals【Video】
Wall dogs: Pups poking their heads through holes wanting to join you on your walkies 【Pics】
Ultra-realistic cat backpack causes a fur-enzy online
Shiba Inu in the snow: Japanese dogs melt hearts with their love for the cold【Pics & Video】
Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】
Rakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
7-Eleven Japan now sells…matcha burritos?!?
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Osaka to Fukuoka for less than 40 bucks? It’s possible with Japan’s overnight ferry
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Japanese Shiba Inu runs a sweet potato stand, melts hearts everywhere
Japanese pet owner illustrates likeness between adorable Shiba Inu and Pokémon Eevee
Five reasons why Shiba Inu are the absolute best
Accessories make the dog as Shiba Inu goes from schoolgirl cute to anime hero macho
Japanese Mame Shiba Inu banknote design pays homage to nation’s beloved dog
Shiba Inu boss lazes around in flowers while winning Japanese workers’ hearts
This Shiba Inu is all of us when we just can’t anymore【Photos, Video】
Japanese pet creates adorable “Where’s Waldo?” game by napping in pile of soft animals
Yoga for dogs? Nope, just your friendly, lazy neighborhood Shiba Inu【Photos】
Real-life PlayStation 3 dog found in Japan【Photos】
Funny Shiba dog had a silly reaction to eating natto, frightened its owners, made the vet laugh
Adorable Shiba thinks bedtime is playtime, won’t let owner ready his futon without a (play) fight
If this adorable Shiba dog can learn to speak a word in Japanese (and he has), so can you【Video】
Genius Japanese illustrator reimagines your favorite fairy tales…with pugs!【Pics】
Leave a Reply