Mutsu - Your Best Friend

Unlike real fish, Mutsu has his own individual personality. At first, Mutsu is very shy and hides in back of the tank. But, if you talk to him and play with him often, Mutsu will become more responsive. Mutsu can also interact with other Mutsu fish when you put their tanks near each other. They have the ability to interact with each other and will start talking, singing, and dancing. Mutsu is programmed with four stages of "friendship", showing Mutsu's personality changes and new characteristics.

Friend Stage 1:

Mutsu is very shy at this stage and doesn't respond to your voice, commands, or other Mutsu fish. It will take some effort to convince Mutsu to come out from hiding and to eat.

Friend Stage 2:

At this level, Mutsu is starting to get along with you and shows his emotions more openly. He starts eating and if he feels lonely, he will start calling for you. Also, Mutsu starts to respond to other Mutsu fish as well.

Friend Stage 3:

Mutsu has now become your best friend! He is very active and starts to do things without voice or remote control commands. Mutsu starts to express his emotions through more actions. When he is happy, he will start singing. Also, at this level, he may also express anger.

Special Stage:

As Mutsu grows more attached to you, he may start to surprise you with new responses and actions. If you continue to get along with Mutsu, he will sing new songs and secret responses when you use the remote control.

The Expanision of the Mutsu Market

Due to the overwhelming popularity of Mutsu, Tomy has expanded their line of Mutsu virtual pets and created other animal versions of this toy. Mutsu is no longer limited to a fish design, but available in a rabbit, dog, panda, bear, penguin, and turtle version as well. Also, some Mutsu models are designed with a special glow-in-the-dark feature.

The Mutsu craze has also spawned beyond the toy market. Mutsu became the spokesperson for Japan's beverage company Dy-Do, endorsing their 120 Sai Vegetable Drink line. Also, last winter, Nintendo released the Water Looper Mutsu video game for Game Boy Advance and coming July 2002 is the new role playing game Mutsu to no Hon Hon for Nintendo Game Cube. With its adorable personality and hassle-free maintenance, Mutsu may become the pet of choice for the new millennium.