PATRICK ST. MICHEL

Contributing writer

Few fictional characters in Japan are as laid-back in their overall approach to life as Rilakkuma.

Created by stationery producer San-X in 2003, the brown bear has attracted a loyal following over the years, rising through the ranks to sit alongside such established characters as Hello Kitty and Doraemon in terms of exposure at home and abroad.

According to statistics, the Rilakkuma brand has been featured on more than 16,000 products, attracting revenue of ¥250 billion by the end of 2016.

The bear and its friends have taken Japan by storm, appearing on everything from pencil cases to train cars. A number of cafes based on the characters have also popped up, serving up burgers and pancakes in their visages.

Such is demand for Rilakkuma products in Japan that it’s probably fair to say that much of the country secretly envies the bear’s apparent lymphatic philosophy to life.

This demand may grow on April 19, however, when Netflix launches an original series titled “Rilakkuma and Kaoru” in 190 countries and territories worldwide.

The 13-episode series celebrates Rilakkuma’s languid ethos in all its glory, focusing on the highs and lows of everyday life in a stop-motion format.

Needless to say, Rilakkuma doesn’t really set out to change the world.

“(The series) actually touches on a very interesting nerve of anxiety around contemporary life: the pressures of social media, the challenges of work — a lot of millennial challenges,” says John Derderian, director of content at Netflix’s Japan & Anime division. “It finds a unique response to these anxieties and those issues are real. These are issues that can lead to depression and challenges in life. And, to be honest, they are issues that are fully global.”

Rilakkuma isn’t quite in the same league as philosopher Noam Chomsky, but “Rilakkuma and Kaoru” does explore the challenges of life in contemporary society, even if they can be as lucid as developing an addiction to online shopping. The Netflix series captures the same easygoing spirit that has helped the character capture hearts at home and abroad.

“The appearance and worldview of Rilakkuma was to be relaxed, and that was presented front and center,” a Japanese character critic calling himself Robato Denirou says. “It’s simply saying, ‘You don’t have to do too much — don’t overexert yourself.’”