Description

By (author) Rurutea

Short /annotation:
Let Japan”s positive penguin brighten your day!

:

Let Japan”s positive penguin brighten your day!

Everyone needs a little help to get through the day—and who better to provide it than Koupen-chan, the adorable baby penguin who has stolen Japan”s heart! Did you cook a meal, show up for work, or just get out of bed in the morning? Koupen-chan is here to say, “You are amazing!”

This charming book from Japanese illustrator Rurutea features 300 charming illustrations of Koupen-chan and friends enjoying the simple joys in life and showing up for one another with a hug and an encouraging word.

Each page has an uplifting message such as:

Great job taking it easy!
You ate breakfast! I”m proud of you!
Getting stuff done on a Saturday? You”re amazing.
Doing things the usual way is good enough.
Fantastic job studying! I”m cheering for you!

Koupen-chan”s supportive friends include Adelie, a tough-talking penguin who likes to cook; Evil Enaga, a cute bird plotting to take over the world; and Polar Bear, who is always ready to share a wise lesson. They bring gentle humor to the book, reminding us that life can be complicated and challenging but also deeply fulfilling when you accept yourself as you are.

Koupen-chan & You combines kawaii Japanese cute culture with sage advice. It will appeal to Koupen-chan”s many fans as well as anyone who needs a little love and encouragement.

Review quote:

“Koupen-chan & You is Positivity Done Right” writes Kara Dennison for Otaku Magazine USA, “There”s no gateway to understanding Koupen-chan, no homework you need to do before you can pick this book up. It”s just a sweet, pleasant collection of cheerful notes. Equal parts funny and caring, it”s a gentle way to push ourselves forward and forgive ourselves when we can”t. No matter what kind of day you”re having, Koupen-chan will be cheering you on. And that”s great.” —
Otaku Magazine USA

Review quote:
“Until I read this book, I didn”t know that I needed an adorable fuzzy baby penguin to tell me that they were proud of me because I brushed my teeth or did the dishes. It”s silly, and more than a little corny, but Koupen-chan & You fills a very specific need for validation, not because you did something remarkable, but because you”re just out there doing your best.” —
Anime News Network – Spring 2025 Manga Guide

Review quote:
“If you”re looking for a cute, peaceful oasis of positivity in the whirlwind of life, you”ll want to pick up Koupen-chan & You, as there”s a smile to be had on every page for anyone of any age.” —
PopZara

Biographical note:

Rurutea is a Japanese illustrator and the creator of Koupen-chan. They introduced the adorable baby penguin to the world in a tweet that praised readers simply for showing up at work. This encouraging message went viral, and Koupen-chan quickly became a national sensation. Today Koupen-chan features in social media, books, art exhibits, brand tie-ins and merchandise throughout Japan and beyond. Rurutea is also the illustrator of picture books in the popular Kirby series.