What is "kyorochan"

is a Japanese cartoon bird/ parrot that serves as a mascot for a brand of Morinaga chocolate known as ChocoBall.

He first appeared in 1967, in the anime television series "Uchuu-shonen Soran" (Space Boy Soran). Originally, when the series began in 1965, Choco-Balls were consumed by a cartoon "space squirrel" known as "Chappy"; it was found that sales of Choco-Balls did not increase. Therefore Kyorochan was devised in 1967 as a replacement.

His popularity began to take off in 1987, when TV commercials starring Kyorochan, as well as commercial songs performed by famous artists appeared. In 1991, the name "Kyorochan" was printed on the boxes of Choco-Ball candies, and in that same year, the sales of Kyorochan stuffed animals and related products exceeded the sales of the Choco-Ball brand itself.

Kyorochan had his own 1999–2000 anime series. The end titles of the anime series are animated in clay animation.

The series was released in very limited amounts in DVD format, and, outside Japan, is found only in Hungary ("Kukucska Kalandjai"), Romania (the original name), Taiwan ("大嘴鳥"), the Czech Republic ("Červánek"), and South Korea ("왕부리 팅코").

Wario Ware, Inc.'s Pyoro was based on Kyorochan.