All About Anime Pillows

A cute and useful addition to the Japanese art lover's room is the anime pillow. Dakimakura hugs come in different sizes, up to full length. This is a great gift for any anime fan.

Nowadays, an anime pillow in a child's or teen's room doesn't seem like something out of the ordinary to us. On the contrary, the movement is gaining popularity both in the Land of the Rising Sun and around the world.

The first pillows with drawings or patterns, according to historians, were luxury items and were often found in the everyday life of the rich and wealthy people of Ancient Greece and Egypt. Created by hand, they were filled with dry wood, dry herbs, down or animal hair. Then they began to fill them with medicinal and aromatic herbs - this practice spread in the countries of the East, including China and Japan. This was done for the purpose of healing and improving sleep.

Sofa and simple pillows became widespread in the 19th century, and specifically hug pillows first appeared on Japanese shelves around the 10s of our century. The first Japanese models were of different shapes, they were sewn with "handles", trying to convey the effect of hugs as believably as possible. Then they began to transform them into generalized forms of animals, the letters "Г", "U" and others, in the end, came down to the models we are used to, simple in shape, but with a variety of images.

Let's take a look at some of the benefits of a hug pillow.

• Possibility of tactile contact. Children of different ages (and any person, in general) are more or less important tactile contact.Psychologists even single out a number of children who, like visuals and audials, perceive information better by touch. The need for sensory perception is also expressed in the simple need for coziness, soft touches, and comfort.

• Antistress. Agree that in a difficult situation, it is much easier for us to cope with circumstances when we have support. A pillow, no doubt, cannot completely replace a real person, however, hugging it, a person not only becomes a little warmer, but also calmer. This is a kind of compensation, but if we proceed from considerations of psychology, for example, adolescence, then feeling confidence, love and support are the most important aspects. Moreover, it simplifies the search for the subject of the hug, that is, a real person who could be hugged.

• Complementing the interior. Often, girls and boys who are fond of anime buy similar things that their favorite characters have, decorate the room with posters and other items. Usually dakimakura is placed on a sofa or bed.

• Emotional coloring. Now, almost any character will be printed on anime pillows. The closeness with his idol, the so-called waifu, makes fans happy.

• Direct functions. The hug pillow is good for sleeping because it is comfortable both in shape, elongated and flat, and in materials. You can wrap it around with your arms, legs, or just put it under your head. Some scientists believe that in a position when a person hugs something, it is easier for him to fall asleep. Perhaps this is really so, because we feel more comfortable, as if someone was there.

For greater convenience, anime stores produce pillows in different sizes: from 16 cm up to the size of a person's height. They are made mainly from materials such as cotton, holofiber, synthetic winterizer and foam rubber.

In Japan itself, pillows with images of heroes have reliably become part of the subculture. Many people strive to complement their room with their favorite waifu, and sometimes it even develops into collecting.

Hugging pillows with anime characters, most often performing a decorative function, are made of synthetic materials. Dakimakura also come in different sizes and color patterns.

According to this parameter, products with a print are divided into:

• pillows with a picture on a pillowcase,

• pillows with images directly on them.

Pillowcases of 150x50 cm are also popular options, which can be changed at your discretion. They are also easier to wash than a whole pillow. The Japanese footage is widespread for the simple reason that the transportation of such a product is relatively cheaper.

For a comfortable hug, long full-length pillows or slightly smaller are suitable. Large pillows come in an average size of 70x35 cm - 160x50 cm. Dakimakura, made to the full height of a person, is called giant. Huge pillows are not so much for sleeping as for a simple hug while reading a magazine or hanging out on social networks, as well as while watching your favorite anime or TV series.

According to the number of printed images, pillows (or pillowcases for them, which can be purchased separately) are divided into:

• single - that is, with an image on one side,

• double - here is a pillow with two patterns at once, most often it is the same character, but there are options with two different ones.

Most often, male and female characters aged 12-30 are printed on dakimakura. It is impossible to say for sure, but judging by the products offered, products with girls are more popular.

If you decide to purchase a dakimakura for yourself or as a gift, it will also be helpful for you to learn how to choose the right pillow.

In order for the acquisition to please for many years, it is important not to be mistaken with the choice. Rely on several important metrics.

• Materials. Ideally, these should be dense, breathable fabrics. The synthetic winterizer is not considered an allergenic material, but not to say that everyone likes it to the touch and does not cause irritation. Everyone has different skin sensitivities, so this is an important aspect. If you are choosing a pillow for someone, make sure the materials are as close to natural as possible.

• Dimensions. If you buy for yourself, it will be easy for you to determine the required dimensions. If you buy as a gift and do not know the exact preferences of a person, rely on the golden mean - 50x150 cm.

• The presence of a pillowcase. If you know that the person is an avid anime fan and is crazy about dakimakura, you should get the option with a pillowcase. Keep in mind that in this case, too, you should not deviate from the golden mean so that the owner can put on other pillowcases.

• Number of images.

• Print quality. Be responsible for reviews of the manufacturer.

• A variant of the picture. It is best if you know exactly the waifu of the person to whom you are giving the pillow.

Anything needs grooming, especially a dakimakura for sleeping. A pillow or pillowcase must be washed regularly in order to avoid the accumulation of dust and microbes on it, which somehow get on the face.

The best option is dry wash or hand wash. If your pillow pattern is bright and new, you should wash it (once) in cold water using a colored detergent. If your pillow has been a pioneer and you are using a washing machine, the delicate setting will do.

Use liquid versions as a detergent, you can add conditioner. It will help remove accumulated static electricity and prevent new charge build-up. Avoid harsh detergents, and never use bleach.

To prevent moisture from accumulating inside the pillow, and it dries faster, you need to hang it up and let it ventilate.

Currently, the range of assortment of dakimakura hugs has expanded significantly. Let's look at some interesting options to get a better understanding of this thing.

Full-length Dakimakura based on the popular anime "Naruto". They are made in sizes: 30x70, 30x90, 40x120, 50x150, 50x170, 60x180, 60x200 cm.

Pillow with Sebastian Michaelis from the Dark Butler anime. The materials of this pillowcase are: satin, gabardine, polar-bols.

Dakimakura with the popular character Dazai from Stray Dogs, with a yellow background. Often the characters are not on a plain white background, but on a plain sheet, as if the character was lying next to you.

Dakimakura with Tomoe from the anime "Very Nice, God." Adding cherry blossom petals to the character in this example.

Pillowcase for dakimakura with hero Bleach, 150x50 cm. Has images on both sides, figures are printed in full height.

And this is a pillow with Viktor Nikiforov. And no, he is a Japanese character, just of Russian nationality. Anime: "Victor on Ice", pillowcase dimensions: 40x40 cm, material: cotton.

Some pillows are only available in limited quantities. The photo below is an example of a dakimakura with a character from Sword Art Online from a limited collection.

Pillow with the heroine from "Darling in France", with a good and even print.

Option with the most popular heroine of Japanese creativity Hatsune Miku, whose voice sounds in many songs and videos.

Pillow-hug with Rem, very soft and pleasant thanks to its quality materials. Light pink background.

Model with Shiro's character from No Game, no life".

And this guy has the longest dakimakura.