Where Did The Poop Emoji Come From?

Summary

This video explores the unexpected rise of the poop emoji, tracing its origins to Japanese culture where excrement symbolized good luck. It highlights the influence of the manga 'Dr. Slump' in popularizing the smiling feces, and the pivotal role Shigetaka Kurita played in creating emojis for Japanese telecom company NTT Docomo in the 1990s. After gaining global popularity through Apple and Google, the poop emoji became a cultural icon, inspiring merchandise from mugs to pillows. The story of this quirky symbol reflects its unusual journey into mainstream communication and modern pop culture.

Takeaways

• 😊 The smiling poop emoji has become one of the most popular and charming symbols used globally.
• 💩 The poop emoji's origins trace back to Japan, where excrement has cultural significance as a symbol of luck.
• 🎌 Japanese traditions included golden poop charms for good luck and figurines near toilets to appeal to toilet gods.
• 📺 The poop character gained early popularity through the 1980s manga *Dr. Slump*, which featured a race of colorful, smiling feces.
• 🐉 The poop character later appeared in *Dragon Ball*, further solidifying its place in Japanese pop culture.
• 📱 The modern emoji was invented by Shigetaka Kurita of NTT Docomo in the late 1990s as a way to attract younger users to pagers.
• 🍎 Apple integrated emojis, including the poop emoji, into the iPhone’s keyboard, spreading the use of emojis worldwide.
• 🌍 As emojis gained popularity globally, Google and other companies expanded the emoji library, initially excluding the poop emoji.
• 👨‍💻 Google's Japanese product manager Takesha Kishimoto and software engineer Darren Lewis fought for the inclusion of the poop emoji.
• 🛍️ Today, the poop emoji has grown into a cultural icon, with merchandise ranging from coffee mugs to pillows and keychains.

Q & A

What is the origin of the poop emoji?

The poop emoji originated from Japanese culture, where excrement symbols were used as good luck charms. Its modern form was influenced by its appearances in the 'Dr. Slump' manga and the 'Dragon Ball' anime.

How did poop become a symbol of luck in Japan?

In Japanese culture, golden poop figurines were sold as good luck charms and kept near toilets to appeal to 'privy gods,' symbolizing fortune and positivity.

What role did Dr. Slump play in popularizing the poop symbol?

The manga 'Dr. Slump' featured a race of colorful, smiling excrement characters, which provided comic relief and became beloved by the audience, helping the symbol gain cultural traction.

How did emojis become integrated into modern digital communication?

Emojis were introduced by Shigetaka Kurita, who designed them for NTT Docomo’s pager service in the late 1990s. Their popularity grew, especially with the launch of the iPhone and the rise of smartphones.

Why did Google initially resist adding the poop emoji to its emoji set?

Google’s higher-ups initially found the poop emoji offensive, but Japanese product manager Takeshi Kishimoto and software engineer Darren Lewis argued it was essential, comparing it to removing a letter from the alphabet.

How did the poop emoji become globally recognized?

The poop emoji gained international attention after Apple included an emoji keyboard on iPhones intended for Japan. Curious users outside Japan unlocked the hidden keyboard, spreading the emoji worldwide.

What is the role of Shigetaka Kurita in emoji history?

Shigetaka Kurita, working for NTT Docomo, created the first set of emojis in the late 1990s. His 176 original, hand-drawn symbols laid the foundation for modern emoji use in digital communication.

How did companies like Google and Apple contribute to the spread of emojis?

Apple integrated emojis into their iPhone keyboards, while Google included them in services like Gmail, both helping popularize emojis beyond Japan into global communication platforms.

What merchandise has emerged as a result of the poop emoji's popularity?

The poop emoji's popularity has led to a wide range of merchandise, including throw pillows, keychains, coffee mugs, bean bags, and other novelty items, often sold through platforms like Etsy and Walmart.

What cultural or historical context contributed to Japan's acceptance of the poop emoji?

Historically, Japan associated excrement with luck and fortune through items like golden poop charms. This cultural acceptance made it easier for Japan to embrace the smiling poop emoji in digital communication.