What was big in 2006

SMBC consulting has released "what was big in 2006" again. Their way of ranking is unique because they make it like Sumo Banzuke (ranking). Basically there is an East side and a West side. Each side has Yokozuna(champion), Ozaki(No.2), Sekiwake(No.3) in this way.

No.1 : Nintendo DS (East), not applicable(West)
It was a big hit actually, but I hardly wrote about the Nintendo DS. I think I have only this and this post. I wrote more often about the PSP because they have funny ads. Next year, Wii will be Yokozuna, I am sure.
No.2: not applicable(East), Mixi(West)
Mixi is the biggest social network in Japan. Most of my friends (including me) joined it. But I hardly use it; I like a more open world.
No.3: Da Vinci Code(East), Wagon R(West)
I didn't watch the Da Vinci Code,・I thought it was enough to watch "what is the Da Vinci code" or other such special TV programs. Suzuki Wagon R is a compact and tall car. Because of the price of gas going up, sales of small cars are increasing.
No.4: Tsubaki (East), Labre(West)
I love Tsubaki shampoo! It is very nice smell and my hair can be soft, but their success is owed to such a big ad campaign. Labre is a plant-derived lactic acid bacteria beverage. My mom can't drink milk, but this would be okay for her. I tried one -- tastes like light fat-free milk.
No.5: Thin Television(East), Oshare Majo Love and Berry(West)
My TV is 18 years old now, but still it works fine. But when I need to buy new one I will choose the Thin type. Oshare Majo Love and Berry is a Nintendo DS game for little girls. They said it has sold over 200 million cards.
No.6: One seg (East), Kokka no Hinkaku(West)
One seg is a broadcasting system on cell phones. It was hot, but I hardly see people watch TV on cells. Kokka no Hinkaku is a best seller book. I wrote about it before in my post.
No.7: Prince of handkerchief (East), Shizuka Arakawa(West)
"Prince of handkerchief" is a craze for high school boys. People have started to forget him though; he will go to Waseda univ, not professional baseball. Shizuka Arakawa is a gold medalist of figure skating at the winter Olympics in Turin.
No.8: Kirei no Mist(East), Black Woolong tea(West)
LOOK Kirei no Mist is a bacteria elimination spray. I have never used it. Actually, I did not know it was so big. Black Woolong tea is a strong woolong tea that will restrain the absorption of fat when you eat.
No.9: TRUE electric hair brush(East), Otokomae Tofu(West)
TRUE moves to and fro, so that hair can be straightened easily. I tried it once and it worked very fine. I want it! Otokomae Tofu is a pioneer of "men's products." I have never eaten it before. My friend said it has a strong soy flavor and is tasty.
No.10: ZERO Virus security (East), Ekinaka(West)
ZERO Virus security is the virus program which you don't need to pay for updates. After you buy it, they will support you forever. I am using AOL and it's free, it's no problem. Ekin means Station and Naka means inside in Japanese. JR and even private railway companies are trying to remake stations, with shops and nice restaurants. People went through stations but now people stop once before going home. ecute Shinagawa (Shinagawa st) is the first and biggest such place in Tokyo. Every day I change trains at Omotesando. Omotesando has echika; there are shochu and soba bar, nice cake shops, etc. It's convenient, especially on a rainy day.

Nintendo DS got new users who didn't play games. It is easy to use with a touch pen and there are games that adults enjoy, like brain training game, or women enjoy, like Animal Crossing (the original title is Oideyo Dobutsuno mori). But SMBC says that exept for Nintendo DS, other items are not so big and it will be at the point that they can explore new markets, new targets, new customers. I agree. I did not write about some items on my blog and I didn't even know about others.

Related link
What will be big in 2006
What was big in 2005
What was big in 2004

Comments

[Misha]

You know, this blog is like a toy shop for me... Somebody pleease pull me out!!! :P :))))

[Mari]

Hi There
Ken I agree, echika shops are very expensive.

[Ken]

I agree about the new Omotesando station. But I bought a bento there once at the Kinokuniya and it was about 1,400 yen. Never stopped in a shop since.

[lili]

hi!! Since I can't read Japanese :( Can you explain a little bit the difference between oolong tea & woolong from Suntory? sounds interesting.. I'll check my local Japanese market (Mitsuwa) to see if they have them.

[bshock]

I don't have the American statistics for Nintendo DS vs. PSP, but I know that my game-fanatic wife insisted on buying a Nintendo DS (or rather, insisted that I buy one for her). She still uses it to play "Animal Crossing."

Of course now she wants a Wii.