Koupen-chan & You: Words of Encouragement from Japan’s Positive Penguin - Review

A little support can go a long way, even if it's from a penguin. Author Rurutea has collected 300 of their most beloved illustrations and has published them in a book, titled Koupen-chan & You: Words of Encouragement from Japan’s Positive Penguin. From congratulating you on completing small, everyday activities to telling you to appreciate the simple pleasures of life, Koupen-chan is a ray of sunshine who lifts the spirits of adults and kids alike.

This little penguin’s encouraging words are here to offer something cheerful when you’re feeling down or need a boost. Every turn of a page in this book is a simple yet heartwarming message, and all in all, a wonderful read that I think everyone could learn a thing or two from. 

Who is Koupen-chan? 

Created by Rurutea in 2017, Koupen-chan is an adorable penguin known for spreading positive, wholesome, good vibes on the internet. It has captured the hearts of many in Japan and all over the world with its fuzzy cuteness and words of affirmation. The name is actually a clever wordplay on the Koutei penguin, which refers to the Emperor penguin, but also translates to the “affirmation” penguin. 

Tuttle Publishing, which recently published the book in English, describes the book, Koupen-chan & You: Words of Encouragement from Japan’s Positive Penguin: 

Let Japan's positive penguin brighten your day! Everyone needs a little help to get through the day – and who better to provide than Koupen-chan, the adorable baby penguin who has stolen Japan’s heart? Did you cook a meal, show up for work, or get out of bed on a cold morning?  Koupen-chan is here to say, “You are amazing!” 

In Japan, Koupen-chan is everywhere to be found– from stationery, stuffed toys, home items, anime, LINE stickers, art exhibits, and many more.

I actually first met Koupen-chan seven years ago in a music video titled “I don't wanna get out of futon” by GOKUMON (Uchikubi Gokumon Doukoukai). I was struck by the cuteness of the illustration and the melody, but I especially liked how a simple, relatable song also held a deeper meaning of getting out of your comfort zone and facing the challenge ahead. I loved it so much, that's why I'm so happy to see this little penguin again, and all the more in book format.

Koupen-chan: An Adorable Source of Positivity and Cheer

Koupen-chan's watercolor illustrations are visually pleasing, calming, and cute. It's so simple, but as you look closer, the messages it carries are profound reminders of the small wins that matter.

When we’re too focused on the big challenges, we sometimes forget our minor achievements. Koupen-chan’s encouragements, like “Congratulations on making it through the day, how did it go?” or “You must be tired from working all night, I brought you a pillow. Take a nice, long rest!” are the kind of caring words that leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling. Being mindful of staying hydrated, nourished, safe, productive, and rested – these are all little things that matter. 

You see, when you encourage someone, you give them strength, support, and the momentum to keep going. That’s why celebrating small wins is important; not only do you pause to appreciate your growth towards your goals, but you also cultivate a sense of accomplishment, even though everything else is still a work in progress. Realizing this through Koupen-chan’s adorable and whimsical illustrations is a comfort that I didn’t know I needed. 

What makes this penguin extra endearing is the magic of its approach. It doesn’t exactly provide wise solutions, but instead praises you for what you did do in looking after yourself – something a lot of us don’t put much thought into. 

Things like, “Go you for moving your body,” “You ate breakfast, I’m proud of you!”, “Good choice sleeping in,” “It’s cold today, so bundle up,” and “When you’re not okay, it's okay to say you're not okay.” My other favorites are the “Recovery magic! Hope you feel better soon!”, “Doing things the usual way is good enough,” and “Life’s like that sometimes, isn’t it… Let me pat your back to cheer you up a little.” It's silly, but it works in a way that fills my heart because Koupen-chan appreciates the efforts of doing our best, and that's okay.

“Koupen-chan & You: Words of Encouragement from Japan’s Positive Penguin” doesn’t have a storyline, but there are some fun moments of continuity in the book, courtesy of Koupen-chan’s friends. There’s Adelie-san, an adult Adelie penguin who loves to cook, Otona no Pengin, an adult Emperor penguin; Shirokuma-san, the wise polar bear, and my favorite little adorable Evil Long-tailed tit plotting for world domination, Yokoshima Enaga-san. Positivity is fun, but there’s also a charm in being motivated by being a little (just a bit) playful.

All of them together provide a gentle humor to the book, showing us how complicated and challenging life can be, and yet, also deeply fulfilling when you accept yourself as you are. The illustrations toward the end start to shift to their daily life, and it's a great way to appreciate the author's art and feelings.

On a personal note, the reason why I love this book is that it hits me with deep nostalgia.  I have a habit of underlining (or digitally highlighting and taking screenshots of) my favorite quotes, something which I think started from the cards of advice and quotes from a local Filipino stationery store. I would also exchange short letters with my mom in my packed lunch, too.

These small pieces of encouragement and wisdom were my guide to adulthood, and they turned into a memory I eventually forgot about. So when I came across the page with Koupen-chan saying, “You’re all grown up now? Cool!" I suddenly found my burdens swept away by this silly penguin’s sunny warmth. I already loved this penguin before, and although it's probably just a tiny part of my life, reading this book has already magically made an impact that I wish to carry with me as I grow older.

That said, I recommend this book with all of my heart. Life has its many ups and downs, and we all need our fair share of loving support and praise for keeping ourselves afloat and being out there in the world. Like a sticky note reminder, Koupen-chan can surprise and brighten your day with a simple greeting. And like I mentioned earlier, a little encouragement goes a long way, even if it's just from a penguin.

The Koupen-chan & You: Words of Encouragement from Japan's Positive Penguin book is now available to purchase in bookstores and online via Amazon and Kinokuniya USA for $17.99 (hardcover edition). More details can be found on Tuttle Publishing's official website.

For more information about Koupen-chan, make sure to visit the official Japanese website, online store, Instagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter), as well as character management company Spiralcute's website. You can also check out the artist and author Rurutea to see more Koupen-chan illustrations.

© 2022 RuruTea
Anime Atelier received a review copy of the book.