Difference between revisions of "Professor Asobin"

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{{CharacterSheet
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[[File:ProfessorAsobin.svg|200px|right]]
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| image1 = Asobin.jpg
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'''{{PAGENAME}}''', or '''Asobin Kyouju''' (アソビン教授) is a smartly dressed anthropomorphic rabbit and an "unofficial" mascot of [[Sega]].
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| charcolor = blue
 
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| textcolor = white
 
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| charname = Professor Asobin
 
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| debut = [[Borderline]] ([[SG-1000]])
 
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| debutyear = 1983
 
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| species = Oryctolagus cuniculus
 
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| gender = male
 
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| age =
 
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| height =
 
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}}
 
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'''Professor Asobin''' is a smartly dressed anthropomorphic rabbit who was the first unofficial mascot of [[Sega]].
 
  
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Although he never starred in a game of his own, Asobin gained attention by appearing in nearly every game manual of early [[SG-1000]] software since the SG-1000's retail launch on July 15 1983. He was replaced briefly by a very similar, but less leporine [[Dr. Games]] in 1984, but reappeared for the new range of [[MyCard]] software in 1985 and also appeared in a number of early [[Sega Mark III]] games as well. Often on the second or third last page, Asobin offered advice to players that was usually helpful and specifically tailored for each game. His last appearance giving advice was seen in the manual for Makai Retsuden (aka Kung Fu Kid) released on 17th May 1987, although he did retain a silent role on the page describing the correct care and maintenance of cartridges and cards. At this point, Professor Asobin was replaced by Opa-Opa as the next unofficial mascot of Sega, who, unlike Professor Asobin, starred in a number of commercials and advertisements.
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Professor Asobin bares more than a passing resemblance to the "White Rabbit" character in Lewis Carroll's classic children's story "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", with a particular similarity to the popular characterisation depicted in Disney's 1951 animated version of the book "Alice in Wonderland". No information is known as to the origins of Asobin or why, or if, Sega chose to mimic these characteristics.
  
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==Mascot status==
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==History==
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In the first release of Phantasy Star on Sega's Mark III, Professor Asobin appeared in the manual, no longer offering gaming tips, but providing information on the correct care of the Phantasy Star cartridge. In the Mega Drive re-release, Asobin was replaced by the then newly appointed mascot Sonic the Hedgehog. Scans of both versions of the manuals can be found in Sega Ages 2500 Vol. #32 - Phantasy Star Collection on PS2.
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Although he never starred in a game of his own, Asobin gained attention by appearing in nearly every Japanese [[SG-1000]] game manual following the console's retail launch on July 15, 1983. He was replaced briefly by a very similar, but less leporine [[Dr. Games]] in 1984, but reappeared for the new range of [[MyCard]] software in 1985 and also appeared in a number of early [[Sega Mark III]] games as well. Usually printed towards the end of the manual, Asobin offered advice to players that was usually helpful and specifically tailored for each game.
  
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==SGGG cameo==
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His last appearance giving advice was seen in the manual for ''[[Makai Retsuden]]'' (aka ''Kung Fu Kid'') released on 17th May 1987, however he continued to appear in manuals on the page describing the correct care and maintenance of cartridges and cards during the rest of the Mark III releases.
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[[File:asobin_sggg.jpg|thumb|right|Asobin in ''Segagaga''.]]
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With the release of the [[Sega Mega Drive]] in late 1988 and ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' in June 1991, Professor Asobin was retired by Sega, and has only appeared sporadically since. In 1994 the character appeared in the manual for ''[[Phantasy Star Fukkokuban]]'' promoting support hotlines. He has cameoed in the likes of ''[[Segagaga]]'' and ''[[Hi-sCoool! SeHa Girls]]'', and often appears in Sega-related throwbacks, such digital manuals for [[Sega Networks]] games.
  
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In an interview with *someone* by someone (maybe Tez Okano, director of Segagaga, need to check), he was asked about the possibility of a Professor Asobin cameo. He was unaware of the character's historical significance in sega folklore, and amazed and impressed at the long memories of Sega fans.  
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Professor Asobin is rarely printed in any non-Japanese manuals or promotional material, though is occasionaly spotted, such as on the box of ''[[Sega 3D Classics Collection]]'' for the [[Nintendo 3DS]].
  
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Professor Asobin did not make a cameo appearance in Segagaga.
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==Manual appearances==
 +
===SG-1000 games===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Bank Panic|SG}} Page29
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|The Black Onyx|SG}}
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Bomb Jack|SG}}
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|The Castle|SG}} Page18
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Chack'n Pop|SG}}
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Champion Billiards|SG}} Page16
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Champion Golf|SG}}
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Champion Ice Hockey|SG}} Page19
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Champion Kendou|SG}}
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Championship Lode Runner|SG}}
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Choplifter|SG}} Page16
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|C_So!|SG}}
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Doki Doki Penguin Land|SG}}
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Dragon Wang|SG}} Page17
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Drol|SG}} Page23
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Elevator Action|SG}}
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Gulkave|SG}}
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|H.E.R.O.|SG}} Page23
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Hang On II|SG}} Page14
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Monaco GP|SG}}{{fileref|Monacogp mycard jp manual.pdf|page=13}}
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Ninja Princess|SG}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Pitfall II: The Lost Caverns|SG}} Page16
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Rock n' Bolt|SG}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Soukoban (SG-1000)|SG}}  Page37
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Star Force|SG}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Super Tank|SG}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Wonder Boy|SG}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Zoom 909|SG}} Page17
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Champion Boxing|SG}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Zippy Race|SG}}
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|cols=3}}
 +
 
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===Master System games===
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====Card====
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{{multicol|
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Comical Machine Gun Joe|SMS}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|F-16 Fighter|SMS}} Page34
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Ghost House|SMS}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Great Baseball|SMS}} Page17
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Great Soccer|SMS}} Page19
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Hang-On|SMS}} Page13
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|My Hero|SMS}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Pit Pot|SMS}} Page24
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Satellite 7|SMS}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Spy vs Spy|SMS}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Super Tennis|SMS}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Teddy Boy Blues|SMS}} Page14
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|TransBot|SMS}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Woody Pop|SMS}}
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|cols=3|}}
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====Cartridge====
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{{multicol|
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Action Fighter|SMS}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Alex Kidd in Miracle World|SMS}} Page26
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Astro Warrior|SMS}} Page9
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Black Belt|SMS}} Page13
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Enduro Racer|SMS}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Fantasy Zone|SMS}}{{fileref|FantasyZone SMS JP Manual.pdf|page=27}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Great Golf|SMS}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Great Volleyball|SMS}} Page14
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|High School! Kimengumi|SMS}} Page15
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Kung Fu Kid|SMS}} Page11
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|The Ninja|SMS}}
 +
*{{ReleaseWithDate|Pro Wrestling|SMS}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Quartet|SMS}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Rocky|SMS}} Page14
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Secret Command|SMS}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Space Harrier|SMS}}
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Sukeban Deka II: Shoujo Tekkamen Densetsu|SMS}} Page11
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|Wonder Boy|SMS}} Page14
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*{{ReleaseWithDate|World Grand Prix|SMS}}
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|cols=3|}}
 +
 
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===Other games===
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<gallery>
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Phantasystar md jp manual.pdf|page=31|''[[Phantasy Star Fukkokuban]]''
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</gallery>
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==References==
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<references />
  
 
[[Category:Sega]]
 
[[Category:Sega]]
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[[Category:Mascots]]

Latest revision as of 10:59, 4 October 2024

ProfessorAsobin.svg

Professor Asobin, or Asobin Kyouju (アソビン教授) is a smartly dressed anthropomorphic rabbit and an "unofficial" mascot of Sega.

Professor Asobin bares more than a passing resemblance to the "White Rabbit" character in Lewis Carroll's classic children's story "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", with a particular similarity to the popular characterisation depicted in Disney's 1951 animated version of the book "Alice in Wonderland". No information is known as to the origins of Asobin or why, or if, Sega chose to mimic these characteristics.

History

Although he never starred in a game of his own, Asobin gained attention by appearing in nearly every Japanese SG-1000 game manual following the console's retail launch on July 15, 1983. He was replaced briefly by a very similar, but less leporine Dr. Games in 1984, but reappeared for the new range of MyCard software in 1985 and also appeared in a number of early Sega Mark III games as well. Usually printed towards the end of the manual, Asobin offered advice to players that was usually helpful and specifically tailored for each game.

His last appearance giving advice was seen in the manual for Makai Retsuden (aka Kung Fu Kid) released on 17th May 1987, however he continued to appear in manuals on the page describing the correct care and maintenance of cartridges and cards during the rest of the Mark III releases.

Asobin in Segagaga.

With the release of the Sega Mega Drive in late 1988 and Sonic the Hedgehog in June 1991, Professor Asobin was retired by Sega, and has only appeared sporadically since. In 1994 the character appeared in the manual for Phantasy Star Fukkokuban promoting support hotlines. He has cameoed in the likes of Segagaga and Hi-sCoool! SeHa Girls, and often appears in Sega-related throwbacks, such digital manuals for Sega Networks games.

Professor Asobin is rarely printed in any non-Japanese manuals or promotional material, though is occasionaly spotted, such as on the box of Sega 3D Classics Collection for the Nintendo 3DS.

Manual appearances

SG-1000 games

Master System games

Card

Cartridge

Other games

References

  1. ↑ File:Monacogp mycard jp manual.pdf, page 13
  2. ↑ File:FantasyZone SMS JP Manual.pdf, page 27
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