Contents
Introduction
The allure of cherry blossoms, or Sakura, has transcended centuries, from as far back as the 1500s, when they were first used to entice consumers and boost the economy. Today, this timeless appeal has found a new platform: mobile applications in Japan. In a fascinating blend of tradition and technology, app developers are incorporating sakura themes into their apps to attract users. This article delves into how various types of apps are leveraging sakura in their creative assets, from icon adaptations to in-app events.
Icon Adaptations
Non-Games
Sakura motifs are predominantly utilized in non-game app icons, where falling sakura petals are a common sight. These adaptations carefully preserve the brand’s original colors and identity, often incorporating pastel pink hues to complement the sakura theme. Icons sometimes feature sakura combined with birds or perched on branches, adding a touch of nature.
For instance, the travel app “Jalan” has notably adapted its icon to include sakura trees, beautifully integrating this cultural symbol, and attracting app store users the charm of traveling in Japan during the season.
Games
In contrast, game apps in Japan show a lesser degree of sakura icon adaptations, primarily due to the distinct worldviews that many games embody, which may not seamlessly integrate with sakura themes. When adaptations occur, they are mostly found in casual games that can easily incorporate seasonal themes without disrupting the game’s narrative or aesthetic.
For example, Cooking Mom incorporates Japanese spring by changing the usual curry meal into oshiru ko, a popular spring dessert in Japan, and putting sakura in the background. There’s also the game Sumikko Gurashi Farm game adapting sakura in the background of the main characters as the in-game contents also swift into spring. And also adding another character to the icon to emphasize the togetherness theme of sakura viewing in Japan.
Screenshot Adaptations
While falling sakura petals and pastel pink backgrounds are popular for app screenshots, this trend is less prevalent in games, with no significant examples found this year. Screenshots for non-game apps often include sakura to highlight ongoing campaigns or the latest news, effectively using this cultural symbol to attract attention.
In-app Events
Education / Travel / News / Music
Apps in these categories launch events themed around “Encouraging your new life,” often utilizing designs with pink tones, round fonts, and falling petals, alongside the brand’s creative assets. These elements collectively evoke a sense of renewal associated with spring and sakura.
Design / Photo / Video
For creative apps, new sakura and spring templates become the highlight. Video editing tools like CapCut embrace the “encourage your new life” theme, incorporating designs featuring sakura trees and falling petals, enriching the user’s creative palette.
Game / SNS / Books / Lifestyle
These categories introduce new in-game items or characters themed around sakura and spring, signaling a new season. Apps like Piccoma and Lemon 8 also adopt the “encourage your new life” theme, utilizing pink tones and sakura petals in their designs to resonate with the season’s essence.
In-app Events Summary
Sakura is often associated with “new beginnings,” “new season,” and spring season limitation in app stores. Design elements include pastel pink, round fonts, sakura petals, while brand assets still remain strong.
Which category has the most Sakura adaptations this year?
A review of the top 50 apps across various categories revealed a significant inclination towards sakura adaptations, particularly in Photo/Video, Travel and SNS. This inclination suggests a deeper connection between the cultural significance of sakura viewing and the digital expression of seasonal sensitivity. Services that are more closely related to sakura viewing are the apps mostly adapting sakura in their creative assets.
Conclusion
The sakura, with its fleeting beauty, is a powerful symbol of new beginnings and the ephemeral nature of life. Its incorporation into app stores exemplifies how traditional elements can be reimagined to enhance modern digital experiences, creating a bridge between the past and the present. This approach not only beautifies the user interface but also creates a sense of connection and relevance, encouraging downloads and engagement. Would you try sakura on your Japan creative assets next year?
Source: Creatives in Japan: Does Japan Really Like Sakura? Webinar
