"Detective! Night Scoop" (ABC TV, Fridays at 11:17 PM) is a popular variety show where "detectives" tackle bizarre requests and worries submitted by viewers. On June 12th, Detective Yasushi Ishida investigated the case of "Rilakkuma, who is the only person he can talk to." War photographer Yoichi Watanabe served as the special director, with Daigo Nagami as assistant director and Saori Masuda as secretary.
The request came from a 42-year-old man from Hokkaido. This man, who will turn 43 this year, is a big fan of Rilakkuma. He finds everything about Rilakkuma, from its shape to its overall cuteness, irresistible, and has been collecting merchandise and plush toys for over 20 years.
This man has a Rilakkuma plush toy named "Kuma." It was the first Rilakkuma to come to his home, and it's 21 years old. It's his only conversational partner at home, and he cherishes it like a son. Whenever he makes a mistake at work or feels down, it's always Kuma who listens and encourages him.
We eat meals together and sleep together. I'm sure we'll continue to be together in the future. However, I'm his only confidant, and he has no friends outside the house. So, I was wondering if you could help me find a stuffed animal that can play with "bear" and become his friend.
When Detective Ishida spoke to the bear, the client, a man, changed his voice and responded. The man talks to the bear every day at home, but this was the first time he had played with it in front of other people. The single man said that the bear had helped him overcome loneliness, but he also said that he felt self-conscious and resistant to it because he spent his childhood being told, "Boys playing with stuffed animals..."
So, when they looked for people who would befriend them, two men who, like the client, absolutely loved teddy bears came forward. And that's how a new world began for the three people and three bears: "Bear," "Fish," and "Tom."
