Where do these Japanese products get these strange names from?

With product names like “Dr. Microtool Putty”, “Mr. Surfacer”, “Mr. White Putty” and others, It makes you wonder who came up with these names and why?
Or am I missing something in the name?
I believe these are all from the Gunze line of products aren’t they?

Mike

Actually the owning company is called “Mr. Hobby”, this should also answer your question.

Thanks MMF, that would make more sense. I thought it was a brand name and not a company name. [:D]

Mike

I have not used Gunze and Mr hobby products before are they any good?
mark956

I am VERY happy with their products.

[edit]
Sorry, son just woke up from nap and needed attention.

There are multiple reasons why I am happy with their products:

  1. Availability
  2. Ease of use
  3. Cost performance

When I came to Japan like many I tried to get hold of and work with products that I was familiar with (Humbrol, Milliput, etc), and only later on when I ran into problems that I went for the locally available stuff.

I found their stuff to be on par if not at a higher level for the local conditions, looking at my work desk dominant companies are Gunze, Wave, Tamiya & Modellers.

I also found that many Japanese companies go a step further and produce things like pre-thinned putty and so on, which is a blessing for us who are time and space limited.
There are still a few areas where I prefer overseas products (Alclad II, etc).

My advise go with whatever is available locally, test overseas products and use a combination that works best for you.
Example:
Humbroll takes a long time to dry(days, japan has high humidity), whereas Gunze dries within 30~120 minutes and I can lay the next colour on top of it.
[/edit]

Mike, if you think those product names are strange, you’ d love some of the names given to other mainstream products!

Crunky chocolate…Melty Kiss chocolate…Toilet Duck bathroom cleaner…Pocari Sweat athletic drink…
Even cars: the Suzuki 'Let’s" and “We’ve.”

MMF, I’m sure you’ve got some favorites, too!

By the way, I love Gunze’s stuff, too.

J-Hulk,

It sounds like a creative marketer could make some money in that country coming up with better names. [:D]

Mike

Go and visit www.engrish.com for more and better sampls of Japanese english and product names.

One of my favorites is when a local clothing shop starts their annual underwear sale " by the gram", first time I ever bough underwear that way.
[:D]

Thanks MMF. I have seen that site before and it’s hillarious.

Mike

You forgot Mr polishing compound 1100…