Chiyo Mihama
Encyclopedia
, also known as Chiyo-chan, is a fictional character in the manga
and anime
series Azumanga Daioh
. In Japan Chiyo has been voiced by Tomoko Kaneda
for the TV series and movie, and by Ayaka Saito
for a "Azumanga Web Daioh" short.
Chiyo is a child prodigy
who has skipped five grades to tenth grade (the first grade in Japanese high school
) at the start of the series and is still at the top of the class. This type of grade-skipping is normally unthinkable in Japan, and the series humorously explores its consequences. She is extremely smart and responsible for her age—for example, she is the class representative and packs her own bento
box every morning. However, Chiyo-chan (as she is usually called) still has the naivety, desires, and fears of a child.
, who is most like her in naivety, and Sakaki
, with whom she shares an interesting relationship: Sakaki covets Chiyo's small stature, cuteness, and warm relationship with her dog, Mr. Tadakichi, while Chiyo longs for Sakaki's height and imposing air. She is also close to Yomi who is always good-tempered towards her, sometimes defending her from Tomo whenever the latter is teasing her, or comforting her whenever she feels that she might cause her section to lose in the sports festivals. Osaka frequently daydreams about Chiyo's pigtails
, imagining that they detach, speak, move on their own, are used to fly, control Chiyo's mind, or even cause her death if removed incorrectly.
Her parents, who are never seen (not counting the strange yellow cat-like creature dreamed by Sakaki
and Osaka that claims to be her father), are very wealthy. Despite this, she has an extraordinary lack of ego, being surprised that her family's large house and summer beach home impress her friends. That she takes so casually experiences that even moderately well-off Japanese would envy frequently brings the wrath of Yukari-sensei
on her head. For example, she takes no interest in expensive food such as snow crab and Matsuzaka beef.
Despite her athletic ineptitude, Chiyo is a devoted fan of the Yomiuri Giants
. She loves cooking and is the wonder of her classmates for getting up early enough to make her own lunches. She is very proud of being a high school student and works tirelessly to live up to that status. In the manga, when seeing a movie with her friends, she proudly asks for the more expensive high school student admission rate. She also periodically takes a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant with Osaka
, because she felt this is something a high school student would do—although some patrons were nonplussed at being served by a 10-year-old girl who could barely see over the counter. Ironically, the restaurant manager gave her the job because he thought that such a young girl must have a very poor family if she's looking for work.
Admittedly, part of Chiyo longs for the carefree fun of being a child in grade school, something of which her high school life does not often allow her. Another part of her, however, desires a physical maturity that matches her academic status—and will make others take her seriously.
Early senior year, Chiyo announces plans to attend a university in the United States
where students who skip grades have done well. In consequence, she does not take the college entrance exams her friends must deal with. It also leads to some especially bizarre fantasies on Osaka's part, who imagines Chiyo as a kidnap victim, President of the United States
, and the original of a series of tiny Chiyo-clones working in every airport. It is unknown whether she plans to return to Japan after her studies.
. and cosplays have been made of her by the anime industry and by fans.
"Azumanga Web Daioh" short: Ayaka Saito
English dub: Jessica Boone
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
and anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series Azumanga Daioh
Azumanga Daioh
is a Japanese comedy manga by Kiyohiko Azuma. It was serialized by MediaWorks in the shōnen manga magazine Dengeki Daioh from 1999 to 2002 and collected in four bound volumes...
. In Japan Chiyo has been voiced by Tomoko Kaneda
Tomoko Kaneda
is a Japanese voice actress, J-Pop singer, and radio personality who was born in Yokohama, Japan. She had worked at Aoni Production for 11 years, and had worked at freelance since April 2011, and it was announced to belong to Across Entertainment in August 2011. She graduated from Department of...
for the TV series and movie, and by Ayaka Saito
Ayaka Saito
is a Japanese voice actress who voiced Momiji Sohma in Fruits Basket, Tomoka Rana Jude in Girls Bravo, and Mitsukuni Haninozuka in Ouran High School Host Club.-TV anime:*Boogiepop Phantom as Akane Kojima...
for a "Azumanga Web Daioh" short.
Chiyo is a child prodigy
Child prodigy
A child prodigy is someone who, at an early age, masters one or more skills far beyond his or her level of maturity. One criterion for classifying prodigies is: a prodigy is a child, typically younger than 18 years old, who is performing at the level of a highly trained adult in a very demanding...
who has skipped five grades to tenth grade (the first grade in Japanese high school
Secondary education in Japan
Secondary education in Japan is split into middle schools which cover the seventh through ninth grades, and high schools which mostly cover grades ten through twelve...
) at the start of the series and is still at the top of the class. This type of grade-skipping is normally unthinkable in Japan, and the series humorously explores its consequences. She is extremely smart and responsible for her age—for example, she is the class representative and packs her own bento
Bento
is a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine. A traditional bento consists of rice, fish or meat, and one or more pickled or cooked vegetables, usually in a box-shaped container. Containers range from disposable mass produced to hand crafted lacquerware...
box every morning. However, Chiyo-chan (as she is usually called) still has the naivety, desires, and fears of a child.
Biography
Chiyo is 10 years old when she first enters high school, but despite the age difference, she gets along with her older classmates. Aside from being seen as impossibly cute, Chiyo is a nice girl—a peacemaker who tries to stop any bickering and generous by nature. Her friends sometimes take advantage of her good nature and scholastic abilities. Her biggest weakness is that she is terrible at sports—she is not only five years younger than her peers, but small for her age—which leads to a lack of confidence because she feels she is a burden. Additionally, she claims she is bad at tongue twisters. Her March birthday parties are an annual celebration for the girls. Chiyo is closest to OsakaAyumu Kasuga
, more commonly known as , is a character from the anime and manga series Azumanga Daioh.She was voted 7th in the top 100 poll, "Anime Heroines of 2002" by readers of the Japanese anime magazine Newtype in 2003.-Biography:...
, who is most like her in naivety, and Sakaki
Sakaki (Azumanga Daioh)
, given name unknown, is a character from the anime and manga series Azumanga Daioh.Her family name, Sakaki, is that of an evergreen tree of Japan considered sacred in Shinto, and which is often found on the grounds of shrines....
, with whom she shares an interesting relationship: Sakaki covets Chiyo's small stature, cuteness, and warm relationship with her dog, Mr. Tadakichi, while Chiyo longs for Sakaki's height and imposing air. She is also close to Yomi who is always good-tempered towards her, sometimes defending her from Tomo whenever the latter is teasing her, or comforting her whenever she feels that she might cause her section to lose in the sports festivals. Osaka frequently daydreams about Chiyo's pigtails
Pigtails
In the context of hairstyles, the usage of the term pigtail shows considerable variation. According to most dictionaries, a pigtail is a braid of tightly woven hair. The name is based on the short, thin and kinked tail of a pig, referring to the way a short, tight braid may stand out from the...
, imagining that they detach, speak, move on their own, are used to fly, control Chiyo's mind, or even cause her death if removed incorrectly.
Her parents, who are never seen (not counting the strange yellow cat-like creature dreamed by Sakaki
Sakaki (Azumanga Daioh)
, given name unknown, is a character from the anime and manga series Azumanga Daioh.Her family name, Sakaki, is that of an evergreen tree of Japan considered sacred in Shinto, and which is often found on the grounds of shrines....
and Osaka that claims to be her father), are very wealthy. Despite this, she has an extraordinary lack of ego, being surprised that her family's large house and summer beach home impress her friends. That she takes so casually experiences that even moderately well-off Japanese would envy frequently brings the wrath of Yukari-sensei
Yukari Tanizaki
, also known as "Miss Yukari" , is a character from the manga and anime series Azumanga Daioh.-Biography:...
on her head. For example, she takes no interest in expensive food such as snow crab and Matsuzaka beef.
Despite her athletic ineptitude, Chiyo is a devoted fan of the Yomiuri Giants
Yomiuri Giants
The are a professional baseball team based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The team competes in the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top level of professional play in Japan. They play their home games in the Tokyo Dome, opened in 1988. The English-language press occasionally calls the...
. She loves cooking and is the wonder of her classmates for getting up early enough to make her own lunches. She is very proud of being a high school student and works tirelessly to live up to that status. In the manga, when seeing a movie with her friends, she proudly asks for the more expensive high school student admission rate. She also periodically takes a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant with Osaka
Ayumu Kasuga
, more commonly known as , is a character from the anime and manga series Azumanga Daioh.She was voted 7th in the top 100 poll, "Anime Heroines of 2002" by readers of the Japanese anime magazine Newtype in 2003.-Biography:...
, because she felt this is something a high school student would do—although some patrons were nonplussed at being served by a 10-year-old girl who could barely see over the counter. Ironically, the restaurant manager gave her the job because he thought that such a young girl must have a very poor family if she's looking for work.
Admittedly, part of Chiyo longs for the carefree fun of being a child in grade school, something of which her high school life does not often allow her. Another part of her, however, desires a physical maturity that matches her academic status—and will make others take her seriously.
Early senior year, Chiyo announces plans to attend a university in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where students who skip grades have done well. In consequence, she does not take the college entrance exams her friends must deal with. It also leads to some especially bizarre fantasies on Osaka's part, who imagines Chiyo as a kidnap victim, President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, and the original of a series of tiny Chiyo-clones working in every airport. It is unknown whether she plans to return to Japan after her studies.
Reception
Chiyo Chan was ranked 11th in the top 100 anime heroines of 2002 by readers of Newtype MagazineNewtype (magazine)
is a monthly magazine publication originating from Japan, covering anime and manga . It was launched by publishing company Kadokawa Shoten on March 8, 1985 with its April issue, and has since seen regular release on the 10th of every month in its home country...
. and cosplays have been made of her by the anime industry and by fans.
Voice actors
Television series and movie: Tomoko KanedaTomoko Kaneda
is a Japanese voice actress, J-Pop singer, and radio personality who was born in Yokohama, Japan. She had worked at Aoni Production for 11 years, and had worked at freelance since April 2011, and it was announced to belong to Across Entertainment in August 2011. She graduated from Department of...
"Azumanga Web Daioh" short: Ayaka Saito
Ayaka Saito
is a Japanese voice actress who voiced Momiji Sohma in Fruits Basket, Tomoka Rana Jude in Girls Bravo, and Mitsukuni Haninozuka in Ouran High School Host Club.-TV anime:*Boogiepop Phantom as Akane Kojima...
English dub: Jessica Boone
Jessica Boone
Jessica Boone is a classically trained American actress with extensive experience in Shakespeare and musical theatre. She has been a leading player with Prague Shakespeare Festival and Houston Shakespeare Festival where her roles have included Rosalind, Juliet, Helena, Regan, Thaisa and Innogen...
Character songs
- "The World is NEOHAPPY" Words by Aki Hata, music by Masumi ItōMasumi Itoborn May 21, is a Japanese singer and composer from Ibaraki prefecture in Japan. Itō has composed the soundtracks to many anime television shows and is part of the bands Oranges & Lemons and Heart of Air.- Singles :...
- "Sarabai" (Happy Hen) Words by Masaaki Taniguchi, music by Hikaru Nanase (a pseudonym of Masumi Itō)
- "Tsukurimashō!" (Let's Make Something!) Words by Hiroshi Nishikiori and Masumi Itō, music by Masumi Itō
- "Hororin Confetti" (Sentimental Confetti) Words by Aki Hata, music by Masumi Itō (w/ Osaka)