Russia's cartoon favourite goes global
Published 22 December, 2007, 13:39
The name of Cheburashka is renowned throughout Russia and Japan. Now the 38-year-old cartoon character is set for international stardom in a new TV series.
A hero to millions of Russian children, Cheburashka, he's a creature unknown to science who was transported in a crate of oranges from a tropical island to Russia. And the rest is history.
Little innocent Cheburashka has been loved by generations since the 1960s. Many retain a special place in their hearts for Cheburashka long into adulthood.
He began life in writer Eduard Uspensky's imagination. The first book in 1965 took Russia by storm and began the phenomenon that today is bigger than ever.
Three years after the first book was published public demand led to a television series. Leonid Scwarzman was the man in charge of bringing the character to life and finding a face to fit the character – a face now familiar to millions.
“Initially, the ears were not that big, and they were on the top of his head. Then, gradually, they got bigger and moved lower to the sides. Though Cheburashka was the centre of the cartoon, other characters revolved around him. We wanted the main character to be touching and charming, and we believe we succeeded,” said Scwarzman
The cartoons were a huge success in their own right. Much gentler than many of the Disney and Warner Bros cartoons of the same period. Tales of friendship and kindness between Cheburashka and his crocodile friend Gena charmed the whole nation.
Sadly in recent years Cheburashka caused a rift between Scwarzman and Uspensky ,which ended in a court battle between the two men over who owned copyright to the character. Uspensky eventually emerged as the winner.
A proposed film project was also cancelled, but the character himself kept on growing and his fame spread.
Then, the Japanese discovered him and were enchanted. Three new series have been commissioned specially for Japan. The opportunity to provide little Cheby's voice was an honour that many fought for.
For all his popularity in Japan, Cheburashka remains a distinctly Russian icon. His face is everywhere. He's even the symbol of Russia’s Olympians.
Many children still curl up with a Cheburashka of their own when they go to sleep at night.
The original cartoons are still repeated even today. Now the children and grandchildren of Cheburashka's original fans are discovering him and the new series looks set to spread his fame far beyond Russia's borders to the rest of the world.
On Saturday President Putin congratulated the creator of Cheburashka, Eduard Uspensky, on his 70th birthday.
