quirky // a guide to San-X and their characters

Sabokappa

サボカッパ

Cactus Water Spirit¹

September 2008

Sabokappa is a water spirit who is guised as a cactus in a pot and lives in a small flower shop. With the pet, Piyokichi, and the true cactuses, it passes each lively day.

サボカッパは、鉢に入ってサボテンのフリをしているカッパ。小さなお花やさんに住んでいます。ペットのピヨキチや、本物のサボテンたちとすごすにぎやかな毎日。

Characters


Sabokappa Cactus Water Spirit Because it's a water spirit, Sabokappa loves cucumbers and water and doesn't like the heat... Its personality is that it goes at it's own super pace. Sabokappa also totes the pot around when it goes out. カッパなのできゅうりと水が大好きで、暑いのがニガテ・・・。性格はスーパーマイペース。鉢を背負ってお出かけする事も。	Marimosabo Moss Ball² Cactus The cactus triplets love Sabokappa. As they move around freely, they can go out with Sabokappa. サボカッパのことが大好きな三つ子のサボテン。自由にとびまわりながら、サボカッパのお出かけについていくことも。	Heartsabo Heart Cactus Contrary to the charming appearance, she is the princess of the flower shop. Whatever Sabokappa does, she gives a nice reaction. 愛らしい外見をもつ、花屋のリアクション王子。サボカッパのやることなすことにナイスなリアクションをとってくれる。	Piyokichi Lucky Chirp The pet of the flower shop. Piyokichi is taken in by Sabokappa's gusty bout. お花屋さんのペット。サボカッパに激しい突っ込みを入れる。	Usagisabo Bunny Cactus Sabokappa has a little trouble with Usagisabo, who is lovely and docile. かわいらしくておとなしいうさサボは、サボカッパがちょっとニガテ・・・。	Nobbosabo Tall Cactus Nopposabo is tall and always in a daze. It prompts Sabokappa's naughty tendancies, and unfortunately becomes the target of Sabokappa's mischief. 背が高くて、いつもぼーっとしてる。サボカッパのやんちゃごころをくすぐり、いたずらの標的になってしまう・・・。

Images

Translation Notes

Kappa are actually a type of water spirit and thus "Kappa" does not just mean "water spirit." Kappa (河童, "river-child") are legendary creatures; a type of water sprite found in Japanese folklore. Most depictions show kappa as child-sized humanoids, and sometimes with duck beaks. Kappa are usually seen as mischievous troublemakers. Kappa are also said to be afraid of fire, and some villages hold fireworks festivals each year to scare the spirits away. Wikipedia: Kappa, image.

Marimo (毬藻), also known as Cladophora ball, Lake ball, or Moss Balls in English, is a species of filamentous green algae (Chlorophyta) found in a number of lakes in the northern hemisphere. A marimo is a rare growth form of the species where the algae grow into large green balls with a velvety appearance. Colonies of such balls are known only from Iceland, Japan and Estonia. Wikipedia: Marimo