Interest

Somehow, Funasshi's Album Hit #4 in the Weekly Album Charts

Funasshi, the pear-shaped mascot of Tokyo suburb Funabashi, apparently scraped together enough songs to record an album. Titled Uki Uki Funassyi ♪ ~ Official Funassyi Album: Pear Juice Splash! ~, it also did remarkably well, placing fourth on weekly album sales charts and selling 12,000 copies its first week.

The album marks the first time that a local mascot has placed in the top 5 since 1968.

While the regular edition costs 2,200 yen (about US$18.22), there are two limited edition versions with special goods liks DVDs, merchandise, and special boxes, for 3,500 yen and 4,980 yen (about US$28.99, $41.24).

Via Gadget Tsūshin via Hachima Kikou]