San-X's First "Comprehensive Production": Character Project "Charapro Friends" Produces Tachikawa Bus's Official Character "Nyachikawa-san" Debuts!!

San-X Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "San-X") announces that it has produced "Nyachikawa-san," the official character for Tachikawa Bus Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tachikawa City, Tokyo; hereinafter "Tachikawa Bus"), as part of its "San-X Charapro Friends" project, which creates and assists in producing original characters for companies. "Nyachikawa-san" debuted on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

In this project, San-X not only created the character but also carried out its first comprehensive production, handling everything from EV route bus design, website development, greeting character production, to promotional planning.

Nyachikawa-san WEB site▼

https://www.tachikawabus.co.jp/company/nyachikawasan/

●San-X Creates EV Route Bus Design for the First Time with a Character

"Nyachikawa-san" joined Tachikawa Bus as a new employee on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The character is expected to play an active role as a familiar presence deeply rooted in the community and a key player in future regional communication.

Furthermore, the EV route bus design has been revamped, featuring "Nyachikawa-san" and Tachikawa Bus's traditional red and white colors. This is San-X's first attempt at designing an actual route bus. This vehicle began operation on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the same day as the character's debut. For vehicles introduced in the future, the seat designs will also be changed to "Nyachikawa-san" specifications.

EV route bus exterior

Seat design

1. Introduced Vehicle *Values are manufacturer catalog values

●Manufacturer/Model: Isuzu

●Overall length × width × height

10,545mm × 2,485mm × 3,330mm

●Seating capacity: 70 people

●Cruising range: 360km (constant speed 30km/h)

●Battery capacity: 245.3Kwh

●Charging time: CHAdeMO standard

2. Operation Overview

●Operation start date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 (scheduled)

●Depot and number of vehicles introduced

Fussa Depot: 1 large electric bus

●Nyachikawa-san's Website Also Launched!

A website introducing "Nyachikawa-san" and this initiative was launched on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. This site features "Nyachikawa-san"'s profile and story, as well as the EV route bus design and the secret story behind "Nyachikawa-san"'s birth. It also includes galleries and interview content, allowing visitors to delve deeper into "Nyachikawa-san"'s charm and the project's background.

We will continue to disseminate "Nyachikawa-san"'s activities and initiatives through this website.

Nyachikawa-san WEB site▼

https://www.tachikawabus.co.jp/company/nyachikawasan/

●"Nyachikawa-san" Visited San-X Headquarters!

Just before its debut, on Friday, March 27, 2026, "Nyachikawa-san" visited San-X's headquarters on an EV route bus. On that day, "Coronya," a San-X character who also serves as public relations, welcomed "Nyachikawa-san" and took commemorative photos.

●About Tachikawa Bus Official Character "Nyachikawa-san"

"Nyachikawa-san" is a mysterious cat-like creature working at Tachikawa Bus Co., Ltd.

Assigned to the Passenger Service Department of the Transportation Division.

Always a little shy.

The tip of its tail opens up, and it seems to be able to use electricity as energy, like an electric bus.

Its future dream is to be a "bus driver" who safely transports customers.

If you look closely at its open mouth and cheeks, you can see the characters for "Tachikawa" hidden there.

●What is "Charapro Friends"?

"San-X Charapro Friends" is a project where San-X, which has created over 1,000 characters, produces original characters for companies and assists in their promotion. As characters involved with San-X, it is possible to announce them on the San-X Net and San-X operated social media, as well as plan and manufacture original goods and novelty items.

Details here:<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopen