Non traditional Kawaii

So there are many things that are kawaii (cute) that most people wouldn’t think so. But we at “There’s something wrong with Esther” believe that kawaii is in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes something so ugly is too cute. Babies? Pass. These not-yet-developed humans are not cute: they are dirty and needy. Parasitic NecroBorgs from “Meatball Machine”? Definitely kawaii! Who wouldn’t find their squeaky breathy vocalizations and jerky movements endearing?

So, without further adieu, here is a countdown of the top 5 shouldn’t-be-but-are-kawaii fictional characters:

5. Ryuk from “Death Note.” Ryuk is deep. Like the Olympian gods, he loves to meddle in human affairs. He drops a death note into the human world and watches with amusement as a teenager, Light, reeks havoc on the fellow humans. He looks like a demon so he shouldn’t be cute. But the kawaii factor are his eyes. Anything with huge, googly eyes that dig deep into your soul and scream out “I am cute, you need me!” can entrance you.

4. The roach from “Wall-E.” Bugs are not cute (Hedorah would vehemently disagree). But this little guy is so loveable. He is fiercely loyal, humorous and captures everything a side kick ought to be. Wall-E is traditionally kawaii but children’s films sidekicks sometimes eclipse their hero companion. This cockroach can infest our home anyday.

3. Hedorah from “Godzilla vs. Hedorah.” Al Gore could learn something about how to promote a green message from Hedorah. A flying, shrill pollution creature that terrorizes Japan, Hedorah is repelling. But this pollutant in a psychedelic world is worthy of the title of kawaii. He is reminiscent of a plushy and his vertical eyes are really adorable.

2. Kuato from “Total Recall.” A deformed baby sticking out of a fat man’s chest. Anyone normal (i.e. unappreciative) would think that’s ugly. But this “modern day George Washington” is every bit the underdog: his form makes him easily overlooked but he is a leader that inspires the best in the mutants on Mars. Open your minds to him, and you may just begin to understand that Kuato is kawaii.

1. Jabba the Hutt. Obesity isn’t cute. Neither is a giant reptilian, slimy body. Nor are hedonistic sexual habits. And really, nothing about Jabba the Hutt is traditionally cute. But something about this corpulent creature is so kawaii. Maybe it’s the large eye factor, or the teddy-bear like body, but Jabba the Hutt seems like someone who you would love to hug. His personality pushes you away, but because of that you want to comfort him, tell him it’s going to be ok (watch out for the slave girl chain!). Somehow, everything ugly just magically fits together into a cute form with Jabba. We love you, Mr. Hutt!