In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants, Nickelodeon and Mr. Kiasu have collaborated on a coffeetable book. Bikini Bottom meets Singapore in this clash of worlds, where everyone’s favourite yellow sponge SpongeBob SquarePants runs into Singaporean icon and hero, Mr. Kiasu. The book will be launched at the Singapore Comic Con 2019.
Through the imaginary lens and distinctive illustrative style of Johnny Lau, join SpongeBob and Mr. Kiasu as they slip into each other’s worlds and go on an epic adventure. Mr. Kiasu, a character created by Lau in 1989, is the embodiment of a local concept of “kiasu” (fear of missing out).
In the 64-page full-colour book, Singaporean comic figure Mr Kiasu is swimming in Bikini Bottom when a huge current sweeps everyone’s favourite sponge into his ears.
Mr Kiasu and SpongeBob then embark on an adventure together.
Mr Dennis Tan, vice-president of brand and retail marketing in Asia-Pacific of Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products, said: “We wanted to partner an artist to highlight SpongeBob’s influence on pop culture through a distinctively Asian lens.
“This partnership juxtaposes SpongeBob with the truly local Mr Kiasu but also shows what they have in common – imagination, humour and a whole lot of heart. That makes this combination compelling for fans.”
Lau, who started working on the book in October last year, said he was flattered to be part of the project.
On how his involvement came about, he said: “Dennis, whom I had lost contact with for a decade, was getting a haircut at the barbershop one day when he happened to chance upon my new Mr Kiasu book and he messaged me for a collaboration. I thought it was a joke at first, but we met the following week and the rest is history.”
Lau, who took about three months to come up with the concept, said that it was not easy to bring Mr Kiasu and SpongeBob together because of their different backgrounds. “(However), both share the same tenacity to face the world. They will not just take the world lying down. Instead of avoiding what is happening around them, they choose to confront it,” he said.
‘When Mr Kiasu Meets SpongeBob SquarePants’ coffeetable book is published by Shogakukan Asia. This mashup will extend into various collectible licensed merchandise by local creator and retailer Meykrs. Both the book and merchandise will be available at the SpongeBob SquarePants x Mr. Kiasu booth at Singapore Comic Con on 7 and 8 December 2019. Lau will be available for signings for the book on both days, timings to be updated closer to date.
