If you liked watching cartoons on Bom dia e Cia, you probably know Puffy AmiYumi. This cartoon was a production of Cartoon Network in collaboration with TV Tokyo. It was based on a Japanese band called Puffy, also known as Puffy AmiYumi. The animation was produced in 2004, arriving at Cartoon Network Brazil on April 29, 2005.
The cartoon gained more fame in Brazil when it premiered on open TV, on the SBT channel. This happened on April 10, 2006. Very quickly, the cartoon achieved great popularity, with many advertisements and themed products. The cartoon has a simple premise and design. The main characters are Ami and Yumi. These are animated versions of the band members Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura. The basic story of the cartoon tells the adventures of the two as they travel the world in their bus performing shows.
Getting to know the band Puffy AmiYumi
It all started in 1988 when Ami Onuki was still in high school and participated in a band called Hanoi Sex. The band passed an audition held by Sony and were soon signed. However, both the producer and the band could not come to an agreement, causing the band’s activities to be minimal. Over time, the band broke up, and Ami ended up being hired as a solo singer.
Yumi, on the other hand, participated in a Sony music contest in 1993, and was then signed. It was then that she met Ami, and thus began a great friendship. Both did not believe much in pursuing solo careers, so they decided to form a duo. In 1995, already signed by Sony as a duo, they would be named Crazy Virgin. But soon, the producer came up with the name “PUFFY”, which became the official name of the band. They primarily played pop music, but with many elements of rock and jazz.
In 1996, they released their first single called Asia no Junshin. This song sold over a million copies, turning the band into an immediate success. Soon their songs were on TV and in many advertisements. The second single called Kore ga watashi no ikiru michi was the best-selling in the group’s history. In the same year, their first album was released, selling over 3 million copies and staying at the top of the charts for 36 consecutive weeks.
The success only grew, to the point that the band became a reference for others. Not to mention the band’s fashion, which became a teenage craze across the country. Thus, they began touring around the world, with one of the main tours in 2002 in the United States. From this came the invitation to perform the opening for a new Cartoon Network animation. This animation was none other than Teen Titans. From this contact, the idea for an animation based on the band originated.
Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi
As already mentioned, the cartoon emerged in 2004 and was aimed at a children’s audience. But since the band was already successful at the time, other age groups were reached. Along with the cartoon, a whole advertising campaign was launched. A CD was even released by Sony with all the songs that were part of the animation.
Even though the cartoon was entirely produced in the United States, many references to Japan were noted. Ami and Yumi themselves appeared in many episodes, with the opening song sung by them. With the animation, the band reached new audiences, greatly increasing the number of fans worldwide. In total, there were 39 episodes, divided into 3 seasons.
Today the band is still active, totaling 13 studio albums, with over 14 million in sales. There are still many appearances of the band in commercials, TV shows, and even in movies. In 2016, they released an album in celebration of the band’s twenty years. And to this day, they are considered and named goodwill ambassadors between Japan and the United States.
So, do you know the band or just remember the cartoon? Let us know in the comments and share with your friends.
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