Danny Choo
Danny Choo (simplified Chinese: 周国栋; traditional Chinese: 周國棟; pinyin: Zhōu Guódòng; Jyutping: Zau1 Gwok3 Dung3; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Chiu Kok-tòng; born 1 November 1972) is a British entrepreneur and television producer based in Japan.
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Danny Choo | |
|---|---|
 Choo at the 2012 Comic Fiesta | |
| Born | 1 November 1972 Hackney, London, England |
| Alma mater | SOAS University of London |
| Occupations | Blogger and entrepreneur |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Father | Jimmy Choo |
Danny Choo (simplified Chinese: 周国栋; traditional Chinese: 周國棟; pinyin: Zhōu Guódòng; Jyutping: Zau1 Gwok3 Dung3; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Chiu Kok-tòng; born 1 November 1972)[citation needed] is a British entrepreneur and television producer based in Japan.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Choo was born and raised in Hackney, East London.[2] His father is Malaysian-born fashion designer Jimmy Choo.[3] As his parents were often busy, he spent part of his childhood in foster care.[4]
Choo attended school in Stoke Newington and Leytonstone,[2] and was bullied.[4] He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Japanese and Korean language from SOAS University of London.[5]
Career
[edit]Choo runs the web and television production company Mirai Inc.[1]
Culture Japan
[edit]
Choo is the director, producer, and the host of a Japanese TV show called Culture Japan. The show consists of Choo exploring several aspects of Japanese popular culture. Segments are hosted by Choo interviewing a member of a specific culture that the episode is exploring. Other segments are long videos that are narrated by Mirai Suenaga (voiced by UTACO), Culture Japan's virtual mascot. The second season featured a new animated opening, Sukirai, composed by vividblaze and sung by UTACO.[7] The video itself was animated by JC Staff.[8] In Japan, the show is broadcast on Tokyo MX TV.
Choo has stated that the main purpose of the show is to distribute knowledge of Japanese culture to the rest of the world, although it has received some attention in Japan.[9]
Smart Doll
[edit]Choo started selling his own fashion doll known as Smart Doll. Smart Doll is a range of 1/3 scale, vinyl fashion dolls. The dolls are approximately 60 cm in height. The current design line-up consists of all his mascot characters; doll parts and accessories are also available.[10] His dolls feature a unique assembly where the parting line is under the bust, unlike the mid-waist parting line of traditional doll design; this gives his dolls a more human-like appearance. His first doll, Mirai Suenaga, became the mascot for Japanese Tourism in 2014.[11]
In 2019, Smart Doll released an additional body type made of a harder substance called Cortex,[12] which is sturdier, resists staining from dark-colored apparel and is less-expensive than vinyl. Cortex body was discontinued shortly after production, due to imperfections.[citation needed]
In 2015, Choo brought the dolls to Anime Expo.[13] In 2016, Choo's Smart Dolls were showcased in Penang Fashion Week.[14] Choo began developing 120 cm robotic dolls.[15]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Young Post (20 March 2011). "An evening with Danny Choo". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Hackney London". Danny Choo. 12 April 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ "Charity drive in the bag for Jimmy Choo and son Danny". South China Morning Post. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
- ^ a b Pisuthipan, Arusa (25 January 2013). "Land of the Rising Son". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ "Danny Choo Knows Japanese Pop Culture". Little Aesthete. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ "Yuki Morikawa Dollfie". Danny Choo Archives. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ Anime News Network
- ^ "Mirai Suenaga Animated". Archived from the original on 25 March 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
- ^ "About Culture Japan". Archived from the original on 25 March 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
- ^ "Mirai Store Tokyo". Archived from the original on 15 March 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
- ^ "| TokyoTreat: Japanese Candy & Snacks Subscription Box". TokyoTreat. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
- ^ "Cortex or Vinyl?". Smart Doll. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
- ^ "Danny Choo returns to Anime Expo 2015~!". Anime Expo. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ admin777 (14 April 2016). "Penang Fashion Week 2016". Penang Career Assistance and Talent Centre. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Danny Choo unveils the next gen of 3D printed robotic dolls » 3dpbm". 3D Printing Media Network - The Pulse of the AM Industry. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
External links
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