Kai Ken in Popular Culture

The Kai Ken is not a well known breed anywhere in the world, but that doesn't mean it hasn't had its share of appearances in media. They may not appear as commonly as their more popular cousins, the Japanese Akita Inu and the Shiba Inu, but they are slowly gaining more moments in the spotlight.

Media

Yoshihiro Takahashi

Yoshihiro Takahashi is a manga artist from Akita, Japan. He is known for his use of the Nihon Ken breeds in his manga, and the Kai are no exception!

In Ginga Nagareboshi Gin, the three Kai brothers, Akatora, Chutora and Kurotora, are major characters in both the manga and anime.
In Ginga Densetsu Weed, Kagetora is a major Kai Ken character in the manga and anime. His brothers Nobutora and Harutora, and cousins Shigure, Shouji, Buru and Dodo (who are Kai Ken mixes) are minor characters in the anime and manga.
In Lonely Ron, one of the short manga stories that appears in Takahashi’s gaiden series, one of the two protagonists is a Kai Ken named Bull.
In Ginga Densetsu Weed: Orion, there are many Kai Ken and Kai mixes which make up the Kurohabaki clan, including Yamabiko.
In Kacchū no Senshi Gamu, one of the main antagonists is a Kai Ken named Gama.

Ōkami & Ōkamiden

In Clover Studios 2006 video game Ōkami, a Kai Ken named Chu appears as one of the Canine Warriors. Another Kai Ken is mentioned, though does not appear, named Hayabusa, who Chu takes on the role of after his death.
Chu, along with the other Canine Warriors, makes a brief appearance in the 2010 sequel Ōkamiden.

ACTORS: Songs Connection

In the anime in episode 7, character Mike Enjoji is seen talking to a Kai Ken.

Lost Judgement

In the Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio 2021 video game Lost Judgement, there is a Shiba Inu character named Ranpo who plays the role of ‘detective dog’. In the Detective Essentials Pack DLC, there is a skin for Ranpo that turns him into a Kai Ken.

Inubaka: Crazy For Dogs

In the manga Inubaka: Crazy for Dogs, volume 11 features a Kai Ken named Musashi.

Where Are You Going? To See My Friend!

Eric Carle is best known for his children's story 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar', but in 2003 he collaborated with Japanese author Kazuo Iwamura to create 'Where Are You Going? To See My Friend!'. The book is written in both Japanese and English. For his part of the book, Eric Carle used a Kai Ken to portray the dog character.

Pokémon

Though not officially confirmed, it is believed that the Pokémon Growlithe and Arcanine are based on tiger striped dogs like the Kai Ken.
Like Kai Ken, Growlithe and Arcanine have tiger striped coats and thick manes.

Mascots

Yamanashi Prefecture
Hishimaru Takeda

Hishimaru-kun is the official mascot of the Yamanashi Prefecture, the home of the Kai Ken. He is named after Shingen Takeda, the 16th century daimyo (leader) of Kai province known as ‘the Tiger of Kai’. Hishimaru-Kun’s samurai helmet bears the Takeda family hishi (diamond), which is their family crest. He also carries a gunbai (war fan) which has Fūrinkazan 風林火山, "Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain", which draws from the quote "as swift as wind, as gentle as forest, as fierce as fire, as unshakable as mountain." This quote, originally from Sun Tzu's The Art of War, was well associated with Shingen Takeda. Hishimaru-kun also wears an apron which depicts Mount Fuji.

Image by @MondoMascots on Twitter

Yamanashi Minami Alps City Mascot
Kaimaru (かいまる)

Image by @MondoMascots on Twitter

In Yamanashi, the Minami Alps City mascot is a Kai Ken named Kaimaru. Kaimaru is described as a cheerful and mischievous Kai boy who loves to pick fruit, climb mountains and spend time outdoors. His name is a play on words, taking ‘Kai’ from his breed, and ‘Maru’ as a pun on Minami Alps (‘m’ and ‘al’).

Ventforet Kofu
Vent-Kun & Foret-Chan

There are two Kai Ken mascots of the Ventforet Kofu team, who draw their names from the football team itself. Ventforet, which uses the French words for wind and forest, is a reference to Fūrinkazan 風林火山, which is also seen referenced by Yamanashi Prefecture’s mascot Hishimaru Takeda.
Vent-Kun

Vent-Kun is one of two Kai Ken Mascots of the Ventforet Kofu football team. Vent-Kun’s name comes from the name of the football team, and he was chosen to be mascot by supporters of the team. ‘Vent’ means ‘wind’ in French.

@vfk_vent_kun on Twitter

Foret-Chan

Foret-Chan is the second of the two Kai Ken mascots of the Ventforet Kofu football team. Like Vent-Kun, her name comes from the football team’s name. She is described as being a good dancer and has bangs shaped like a grape leaf. Her role is to help Vent-Kun bring excitement to the football team. ‘Foret’ means ‘forest’ in French.

Kai City
Yahata Inu

Image by @MondoMascots on Twitter

Yahata Inu is the mascot of Kai City in Yamanashi. He is a mixture of a potato and a Kai dog, with his name and origin coming from the Yahata-imo taro plant, which’s history and culture is indigenous to the city of Kai.