July 10th, Happy Birthday Bijou!
Bijou is one of the main Ham-Hams, and not only that but she also is one of the main characters of the series. At least one of the original main four Ham-Hams that usually appear in every single episode.
Bijou is a white fur hamster that is always wearing blue ribbons to match her pigtails. Under those ribbons she wears bead ponytail holders to tie it up, since her fur ends in some wild hair. She treasures these ribbons a lot and she has a bunch of them, but she is almost every time seen with her blue ones because Hamtaro said he really liked them and so they became her favorites. Albeit we can’t really tell, she is apparently really beautiful in Ham-Ham terms.
Bijou’s personality is what you expect from a main character. She is nice, polite, pushy sometimes, and can get really nervous when she thinks someone is a rival in love. She has also been seen mad a few times, albeit that is not usual behavior. She is, to a kid show standard, very well-versed in love and has helped some other hamsters in the matter.
Bijou was born in France, where she lived with her owner Maria until they moved to Japan. Hence, she has a small French accent in the dub, but that is not shown in the Japanese dub. It is worth noting that she rarely uses french words during the Japanese dub, and when she does, they do have a small accent on it. Bijou has a friend from France, Oshare, who in the Japanese dub (and presumably in the English dub, but we have never get the chance to know) speaks with a heavy French accent. In the French dub, Bijou comes from Russia instead of France.
Bijou’s Japanese name is Ribon-chan, and the motif of this name is related to her ribbons, which is interesting given she was not born with them and it would have been more accurate to call her by her wild hair. In other countries, her name is also based on the ribbons instead of a gem, for example in both Latin Spanish and European Spanish, her name is related to the ribbons she wears.
In the Japanese dub, Bijou finishes most of her sentences with “dechu” or “dechuwa”. This is a pun, since “chu” is the Japanese onomatopeia for “squeak”; and Bijou is a rodent. What she would be saying is “desu” or “desuwa”; the later being more regal and normally used by “princess” or “rich” portrayed characters in anime.
Bijou acts as the leader of the “Hamuchiizu”, a subgroup of Ham-Hams formed by the girls.
Bijou is the co-protagonist of Hamtaro’s game “Ham-Ham Heartbreak” and also the main protagonist of the third movie, “Miracle in Aurora Valley”.
Bijou’s birthday was apparently chosen at random, since it is not a special date or a pun. If you happen to know why, please let us know!
Bijou only has a single love interest during the whole series, and that is Hamtaro. This is a fact, albeit the anime sometimes likes to push the audience into pairing her up with other Ham-Hams, like Boss, who is deeply in love her. It is unknown if, despite most of Boss’ obvious behavior towards her, and the fact that all the other Ham-Hams know of his crush, she is aware of it or she is just politely giving him the cold shoulder in order to not break his heart.
However, the French girl has been devastated by the complete ignorance of Hamtaro regarding this, even when she got a date with him. He is just too oblivious and by the end of the series, we don’t have a proper ending to her quest for love.
During this time, she has to fight with plenty of rivals, who make her really jealous, but she ends up making amends with them when she learns that friendship is as important as love.
Even though she only has eyes for Hamtaro, it is a fact that she has been the eye of many Ham-Hams, including Boss, Stan and Panda, the latest being a little obscure and unknown fact.
Episode 4 - Come Out, Bijou!
This episode introduces Bijou properly, albeit we saw her in the first episode. Hamtaro and the Ham-Hams go to her place to make her come out and play, since she has always been a cage hamster before!
Episode 12 - Bijou’s in Danger!
Bijou gets lost in the city and she is surprised by a cat! She faints, but the cat thinks she is yet another of her kittens. The Ham-Hams have to save her before the cat realizes she’s not a baby but food!
Episode 15 - Bijou’s Favorite Ribbon
Hamtaro uses Bijou’s ribbon while she sleeps to play blind man’s bluff. But she’s really angry at him! The Ham-Hams then decide to go gather acorns, but will Hamtaro and Bijou make up?
Episode 36 – Farewell Bijou!
Maria is going back to France, and Bijou has to go with her. The Ham-Hams are really sad and make a farewell party to her dear friend. But she stays in the end!
Episode 40 - The Blossom of Friendship!
The cherry blossoms are blooming, but Maria is sick and Bijou can’t go with the Ham-Hams to watch them fall. So, the Ham-Hams decide to bring them to her!
Episode 104 - The Tale of Princess Bijou
In a dream, Bijou is a princess that runs away from her castle to have some adventure, but the evil Sparkle is keeping a close eye on her!
Episode 132 - Maria’s Memorable Book
Maria writes a letter to her grandma and Hamtaro and Bijou help her deliver it. This triggers a lot of memories for Bijou, and we get to know more of her past.
Episode 168 - I Want To See You, Bijou!
Bijou fell from the tree when she was going outside, and Maria finds her and keeps her locked to avoid another accident. But the Ham-Hams want to see their friend again!
Episode 197 – Bijou’s Love Rival!
Bijou is scared that Lapis is going to steal Hamtaro after she kisses him on the cheek, but she’s got it all wrong!
Episode 269 – Satisfied Bijou!
Bijou is finally going out on a date with Hamtaro, and she wants it to be perfect! However, things are not turning out the way she expected…
Movie 3: Miracle in Aurora Valley!
Bijou is chosen as the Snow Princess, a priestess that has the duty of praying to get the aurora back to the Valley and make it snow! However, some pirates that hate the snow kidnap her before the time arrives, so she has to be saved by Hamtaro and the Ham-Hams!
That is all! Joyeux Anniversaire, Bijou!
