True, the voices of the animated Ami and Yumi are by native English speakers, Janice Kawaye and Grey Delisle, but Ms. Onuki and Ms. Yoshimura also appear in each episode, doing live-action skits in a mixture of Japanese and strongly accented English.
And the songs, which are heavily featured, are left in the original Japanese without subtitles.
Thanks to several years of untranslated anime theme songs, hearing sung Japanese isn't unprecedented on Cartoon Network, but the few words of untranslated Japanese in live action segments come as a surprise, reminding viewers that these are not American rock stars.
In a telephone interview in which an interpreter combined their answers, they said: "There was no pressure from the network in changing who we are and what we do. Sometimes we would wonder, 'Is it O.K. if a song is only in Japanese,' and they'd say, 'That's what's good about it.' "
There has always been something essentially cartoony about Puffy Ami Yumi.
Beginning with the cover art for their second single, "Kore ga Watashi no Ikirumichi"" ("That's My Way of Life"), Ms. Onuki and Ms. Yoshimura appeared frequently as cartoons designed by Rodney Alan Greenblat, a New York artist noted for the childlike whimsy of his work.
There were also short animated sequences in "Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Puffy," their television show in Japan for four and a half years.
In creating the show, the Cartoon Network tried to capture the real-life relationship between the long-haired, sweetly girlish Ms. Onuki and the spiky-haired, sardonic Ms. Yoshimura.
There's a strong sense of play in their interaction, reflected in the cartoon, with a laid-back wit that at times recalls the press conference drolleries of the Beatles (or would if the Beatles spoke Japanese).
When they are in front of the cameras, mugging their way through one of the live action introductory segments for "Hi Hi," their timing is so flawless and their facial expressions so coordinated you would think they shared a single comic brain.
Even so, they recognize that conquering America will require significant effort.
"We'd like to learn more English and be able to communicate with people," admitted Ms. Onuki.
Both hope their work will reduce cultural and language barriers.
"But," Ms. Yoshimura said, "we'll just work with what we have and enjoy what we do. That's the philosophy of Puffy."
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Damaris
I just happen to be browsing and I seen the cartoon come on. Girlish giggles came from me because I love J-pop and now there is a cartoon with J-pop stars.
I wanted to know more about them, this is more than enough info.
Hey I love japanese music! I don't think it sucks at all.
2 - Anne
I love the show! I just got done watching an episode a hour ago. It was wonderfull. I am already a huge fan of J Pop Ayu Hamasaki and when I was skimming threw the shows and saw that their was a show about some J Pop Stars I quickly turned to it. I love it. The animation is like the plot, silly and random.
3 - olive
Catchy music. Crappy cartoon
4 - kevin kissoon
hi I am kevin one of your greatest fan in u.s.a I love your music and you guy's are very cool and pretty
5 - Kimie
This is all bull! I knew of and loved Puffy Ami Yumi before they came out with that God awfull show on cartton network. But since I'm a big fan of their's I thought I'd stick it out and try to watch the show. I can't even describe how disappointed I was. I thought Ami and Yumi would do the voices, I heard mainly songs in english, and the artwork is just another American cartoon trying to look like anime! I'll tell you why Japanese music doesn't sell in America, MOST OF THE JAPANESE ARTISTS SING IN ENGLISH! Of course it won't sound right! They should leave the songs in Japanese, they sound so much better! There are a few exceptions, Puffy does have some good english songs ("Your love is a drug"), Hikaru Utada is also good at singing in english but she sounds better in Japanese as do most artists. You want to make more money? Tell these big record companies to import the music straight from Japan, don't edit it. Leave it as it is. I know a number of popular groups in Japan. But it's only because I spend the 30 bucks for a CD that has to be flown in to America. I must say every CD has been well worth the extra cash.
6 - alba
puffy ami yumi are totally great I think they are great japanese singers but I don't get the words that they are saying in the songs but its ok they are singing them from their hearts no matter what its the thought that counts I think ami and yumi make a great team working together as a girl group singing marvelous songs so its their uniqueness that matters because they are huge stars in japan so here in florida I can see puffy ami yumi on cartoon network but I think that they are cool and totally great!!! I LOVE puffy ami yumi and make thei hopes and dreams come true
7 - Aimee
I am familiar with some Japanese music and artist,but only from anime shows.Like BoA and Koda Kumi and people like that.When I was watching Teen Titans,which I usually didn't but that's besides the point,I heard this one song while they were trying to escape this house that was almost continual,and ami yumi sang this one song that I fell for!It made me want to see that show a million times until I found out that it was also on Ami Yumi's show.I LOVE that song^^
8 - Doug
I've always been a fan of Japanese culture since I was a little kid. I happened to catch the show on cartoon network and thought is was cute but definatly intended for a younger audiance and bored me quickly. I heard some of the music and thought it was catchy. Then at the end of the show the real girls do a little skit and thats what grabbed my attention! They are beautiful! I now have a new found sense of motivation to save some money up and move to Japan. I dont know if everyone in that country is as gorgeous as those two but if its anything close it has to be what I need in my life.
9 - william
I like the puffy ami yumi show!
10 - Brad curl
im crazy for puffy ami yumi. and just for the record,im a guy.yal best not even think about puffy amiyumi eny more, cause im takin over.
11 - NO COMMENT
I LOVE THIS SHOW IT THE BEST i love the episode when they go and ge $1 sushi
CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12 - madaketsun
Hi-does anyone know of any PUFFY AMIYUMI Goods?Tshirts,dolls etc.
13 - Kori
i love puffy ami yumi, they are so pretty and cool, i mean the show is not that great but hey ami and yumi r the main characters i guess i can get used to it. i love j pop and P.A.Y are really great, so is ayumi hamasaki Namie Amuro,and seji, but of all i like P.A.Y
14 - John Farallo
I am just thankful that in this world of war hate and violence there are are women like puffy ami yumi making such a great product!their music makes me happy and makes me not want to swear and punch stuff god bless puffy ami yumi
15 - John Farallo
I am just thankful that in this world of war hate and violence there are are women like puffy ami yumi making such a great product!their music makes me happy and makes me not want to swear and punch stuff god bless puffy ami yumi
16 - HW Saxton
It's too bad that Shonen Knife never got to have their own TV show.
17 - bruna ferreira
oi adoro as fots da ami e da yumi e achop elas d+
18 - Faith
I'm doing this thing in french class and I have to find out what you guyz like to wear and stuff like that. Please post as much specific stuff as u can on your site. Or on this one. Thanx. Faith.
P.S> Do u guyz even have your own site?
19 - Suki akamari
hello, how old Is Ami adn Yumi, because i cant seem to find out? thank you and goodbye
20 - Yumi
yes, its puffyamiyumi.com but there are a few more.
hope this helps
goodbye
21 - ami
we tend to wear similar things to our videos. The stage/video wear is an exagerated version of what we wear day to day.
22 - Claudia
Hello, I love your show. I think Ami and Yumi are very very cute and beautiful. I love the episode taffy Trouble because I love the part when the girls eat the candy and get their stomachs full that was so cute awwww.I also love the song True Asia.
AMI AND YUMI ROCKS!!!
23 - Lindsay
Hi! Whats up Ami and Yumi! Since I started high school I got even more intrested in the Japanese culture I even joined a Jap.club Since I watched your show on cartoon network,it influenced me even more to learn more Japanese.The cool thing about your show is that I can understand some of the Japanese words being said.You guys are da bom
Best wishes
24 - uao
As a guy who spent 8 years in Japan, Puffy are a familiar name. While I've never been a huge fan, I am glad to see them getting some notice on these shores (although I wish it weren't via a cartoon, but of course, they're a natural fit).
Their mid-90's debut song was kick-ass though: Asia No Junshin (rough translation: Asian confidence. Their "Asia" extended to Berlin and Dublin in the song)
Western rock fans might want to find that one(readily available on p2p) because of the uncredited producer, Jeff Lynne.
It sounds like two cute Japanese chicks singing surging, heavy, uptempo, full tilt ELO song. Except it's a lot better than that may sound.
But for J-Pop, I always had the hots for the all-girl Princess Princess. Although I do have a crush on Takako Minekawa.
25 - uao
Tokoro de, Ami-san to Yumi-san, yoroshiku!
Watashi no mesaaji o kaku ato de, anatatachi no mesaaji o hajimete mita.
Gan'batte!