TOKYO — Square and loud, SpongeBob wasn’t supposed to have much chance for success in Japan, a nation famous for its love of cuddly characters like Hello Kitty and Pikachu. But the perky, bucktoothed ...

TOKYO -- Buck-toothed and with eyes just a little too alert, SpongeBob was expected to fail in the Japanese market, where cute is the ultimate chic. By Julian Ryall, The Associated Press TOKYO — ...

Square and loud, SpongeBob wasn’t supposed to have much chance for success in Japan, a nation famous for its love of more cuddly characters like Hello Kitty and Pikachu. But the perky, bucktoothed ...