Difference between revisions of "Professor Asobin"

From Sega Retro
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{{CharacterSheet
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[[File:Asobin.jpg|200px|right]]
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| image1 = Asobin.jpg
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'''Professor Asobin''' (アソビン教授) is a smartly dressed anthropomorphic rabbit and an "unofficial" mascot of [[Sega]].
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| image2 =
 
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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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| weight =
 
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}}
 
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'''Professor Asobin''' (アソビン教授) 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.
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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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His last appearance giving advice was seen in the manual for ''[[Makai Retsuden]]'' (aka ''Kung Fu Kid'') released on 17th May 1987. 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, although no longer provided his customary gameplay advice.
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==History==
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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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Professor Asobin was succeeded by [[Opa-Opa]] from the [[Fantasy Zone]] series of games as the next iconic mascot of Sega
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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''.
  
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==Appearance==
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Professor Asobin is not thought to have appeared in any non-Japanese manuals or promotional material, meaning the character is practically unknown in the Western world.
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[[File:TheWhiteRabbit.png|thumb|right|The White Rabbit]]
 
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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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==Manual appearances==
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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. He was brought back for the ''[[Phantasy Star Fukkokuban]]'' [[Sega Mega Drive]] rerelease, but only to promote a telephone help line. Scans of both versions of the manuals can be found in ''[[Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 32: Phantasy Star Complete Collection]]'' for the [[PlayStation 2]].
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===SG-1000 games===
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==''[[Segagaga]]'' cameo==
 
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Professor Asobin did in fact make a cameo appearance in ''Segagaga''.
 
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
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File:asobin_sggg.jpg|Asobin in SGGG
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File:Monacogp_mycard_jp_manual.pdf|page=12|C-17: ''[[Monaco GP]]''
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File:Zippyrace_mycard_jp_manual.pdf|page=14|C-26: ''[[Zippy Race]]''
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File:ChampionBoxingCardSGJPManual.pdf|page=9|C-33: ''[[Champion Boxing]]''
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
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==Manual Appearances==
 
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===Gallery===
 
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<gallery>
 
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File:Monacogp_mycard_jp_manual.pdf|page=12|C-17: [[Monaco GP]]
 
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File:Zippyrace_mycard_jp_manual.pdf|page=14|C-26: [[Zippy Race]]
 
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File:ChampionBoxingCardSGJPManual.pdf|page=9|C-33: [[Champion Boxing]]
 
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</gallery>
 
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=== List of SG-1000===
 
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
 
* ''[[Champion Golf]]''(C-05)  
 
* ''[[Champion Golf]]''(C-05)  
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* ''[[Monaco GP]]''(C-17) Page11
 
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* ''[[Zippy Race]]''(C-26) Page13
 
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* ''[[Champion Boxing]]''(C-33) Page15
 
 
* ''[[Star Force]]''(C-43)  
 
* ''[[Star Force]]''(C-43)  
 
* ''[[Dragon Wang]]''(C-46) Page17
 
* ''[[Dragon Wang]]''(C-46) Page17
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|cols=3|}}
 
|cols=3|}}
  
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=== List of Master System===
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===Master System games===
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
 
* ''[[Teddy Boy Blues]]''(C-501) Page14
 
* ''[[Teddy Boy Blues]]''(C-501) Page14
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* ''[[Kung Fu Kid]]''(G-1324) Page11
 
* ''[[Kung Fu Kid]]''(G-1324) Page11
 
|cols=3|}}
 
|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]]'' ([[Mega Drive]]; 1994)
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</gallery>
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==References==
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<references />
  
 
[[Category:Sega]]
 
[[Category:Sega]]

Revision as of 14:08, 23 June 2017

200px

Professor Asobin (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.

Professor Asobin is not thought to have appeared in any non-Japanese manuals or promotional material, meaning the character is practically unknown in the Western world.

Manual appearances

SG-1000 games

Master System games

Other games

References

Retrieved from "https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=Professor_Asobin&oldid=386506"