Kage no Otomodachi: Shadow-casting umbrella turns sun protection into play

Japanese design studio torinoko, in collaboration with distributor All Stadium, has launched Kage no Otomodachi (Shadow Friends), a children's umbrella that projects playful shadow characters onto the ground when opened in direct sunlight. Designed to address rising summer temperatures and children's vulnerability to heat, the umbrella uses behavioral design to encourage voluntary sun protection. The project originated at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Design Management School, where participants explored ways to reduce risks for children. Currently crowdfunding on Japanese platform Makuake, the umbrella is available in turquoise blue, chosen for visibility. The designers hope future runs will add more colors and promote broader cultural acceptance of parasol use among children.