Step Behind the Scenes: Appaman Shop’s Bear-kun & Hani-chan Invite Fans to Their First-Ever Dance Shoot
A unique opportunity awaits as Japan’s beloved mascots pull back the curtain for an exclusive glimpse into their creative world, sparking curiosity and deepening fan connections.
APAMAN Inc., a leader in Japan’s rental housing brokerage, is set to launch “Bear-kun & Hani-chan’s 50-Sound Dance” in 2026. In an exciting prelude to this nationwide project, the company is offering a special invitation to three lucky fans to attend a portion of the initial filming session on December 12, 2025. This marks the very first time the general public will be granted access to the dynamic world behind the characters, a direct response to enthusiastic fan requests.
Unveiling the “50-Sound Dance” Project
The “50-Sound Dance” is an ambitious, large-scale character dance initiative. Imagine Bear-kun and Hani-chan traversing Japan, performing 15-second dances inspired by each of the 50 Japanese phonetic sounds – from “a” to “n.” This project aims to highlight the diverse charms of each region, including local specialties, cultural nuances, historical sites, tourist attractions, and even unique dialects, all woven into the characters’ movements. The choreography, crafted with input from local communities, will incorporate symbolic gestures and traditional dances, making the essence of Japan’s prefectures both fun and easy to understand. The series is slated for 50 consecutive weekly releases every Wednesday.
A Glimpse into the Creative Process: Why Now?
In an era where “real behind-the-scenes” content captivates audiences, Appaman Shop recognized a growing desire among their fans to connect more deeply with Bear-kun and Hani-chan. Since 2024, the company has actively cultivated a vibrant fan community across various social media platforms, including Instagram, X, TikTok, note, and Facebook. The call from fans – “I want to feel closer to Bear-kun,” “I want to see the filming set,” “I want to witness the moment the characters come to life” – resonated, leading to this unprecedented “limited-time filming site open house.” This initiative serves as a pre-launch event for the upcoming “50-Sound Dance Series,” allowing fans to experience a piece of the creative journey.
What Awaits the Lucky Few
The three chosen participants will be treated to an exclusive experience:
- Special Observation of 15-Second Dance Filming: Witness firsthand the recording of multiple choreographies from the “50-Sound Dance” series. This includes observing the characters’ movements, expressions, and the seamless coordination with staff – a rare look into the intricate process.
- Behind-the-Scenes of Direction and Choreography: Gain insight into how movements are tailored to the characters’ physical attributes and world view. Participants can observe real-time adjustments, costume checks, camera calibration, and lighting tweaks, experiencing the tangible reality of content creation.
- Commemorative Photo Session: Capture a special memory with Bear-kun and Hani-chan. Specific guidelines for SNS posting will be provided on-site.
This exclusive event is scheduled for December 12, 2025, from 13:30 to 14:00, at an indoor studio in Tokyo. Further details will be communicated directly to the winners.
How to Apply for This Unique Opportunity
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this special event! Applications are open from November 30 (Sunday) to December 5 (Friday) at 23:59 JST. Winners will be contacted by DM or email by December 9 (Monday).
Choose one of the following methods to apply:
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Application Form: Fill out the necessary information via the dedicated form: https://forms.gle/wxoLdZbNh4g6EWns5
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Instagram:
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Follow Appaman Shop’s official Instagram account (@apaman_shop).
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“Like” the campaign post.
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Comment “参加希望” (Participation Request) on the post.
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X (formerly Twitter):
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Follow Appaman Shop’s official X account (@Apamanshop).
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Repost the campaign post.
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Quote post with “参加します！” (I will participate!).
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The Vision Behind Bear-kun & Hani-chan
Bear-kun, the official Appaman Shop character, embodies “kindness,” “safety,” and “friendliness.” In April 2025, he was joined by his partner, Hani-chan, and together they have been enhancing the brand’s appeal across various platforms, including social media, in-store POPs, AR content, and dance videos. Their mission: to make “house hunting more fun.” Beyond online presence, they actively engage in events, regional collaborations, original merchandise, and AR/3D projects.
This project aims to achieve several goals:
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Promote Regional Charms: By showcasing local culture and history through characters, it reinforces the idea that “finding a home starts with knowing the town.”
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Cultivate Fan Engagement (SNS x Real): Sharing the behind-the-scenes energy of production strengthens fans’ emotional connection and sense of participation.
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Foster Collaboration: The unique, prefecture-specific choreography is designed to open doors for future collaborations with local events, commercial facilities, and tourism PR.
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Enhance Appaman Shop’s Brand Value: By making “finding a home more fun and accessible,” the initiative aims to resonate with younger audiences and elevate the brand’s image.
This unique opportunity to step into the world of character creation promises to deepen the bond between fans and Japan’s beloved mascots. As the “50-Sound Dance” project unfolds, it is poised to set a new standard for how characters connect with communities and promote cultural understanding, both within Japan and perhaps, eventually, abroad.
