# Kawaii Computing: Scoping Out the Japanese Notion of Cute in User Experiences with Interactive Systems

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.08244 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.08244/

## Key facts

- Cited by 3 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 14 May 2024.

## Built on by (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [Inter(sectional) Alia(s): Ambiguity in Voice Agent Identity via Intersectional Japanese Self-Referents](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2506.01998/) (2025)
- [Super Kawaii Vocalics: Amplifying the "Cute" Factor in Computer Voice](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.06235/) (2025)
- [AI Watchdog: Agent Interfaces for Detecting and Defending Against Manipulative Dark Patterns in AI Conversations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.21841/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Kawaii computing is a new term for a steadily growing body of work on the Japanese notion of "cute" in human-computer interaction (HCI) research and practice. Kawaii is distinguished from general notions of cute by its experiential and culturally-sensitive nature. While it can be designed into the appearance and behaviour of interactive agents, interfaces, and systems, kawaii also refers to certain affective and cultural dimensions experienced by culturally Japanese users, i.e., kawaii user experiences (UX) and mental models of kawaii elicited by the socio-cultural context of Japan. In this scoping review, we map out the ways in which kawaii has been explored within HCI research and related fields as a factor of design and experience. We illuminate theoretical and methodological gaps and opportunities for future work on kawaii computing.