BBC Two Japan (stylized as BBC Two) is the main network for all Japanese prefectures. Despite being the third Japanese-British channel launched, it is one of the three mainstream channels from the BBC in Japan along with BBC One and BBC Five.
The network was launched on February 16, 1991 in Japan using the call sign JTWO-TV. Roughly 27 years after the launch of BBC Two Switzerland. The very first set of idents featured a numeral '2' in a variety of ways that are deemed creative. At the same time, BBC Japan Television would be renamed to BBC5 (英国放送協会 5), and BBC UKTV would be renamed to BBC1 (英国放送協会 1).
1991-1994 (secondary), 1994-1997 (primary)
Designer:
Lambie-Narin
Typography:
Custom, based on Gill Sans
Launched:
April 10, 1994 (idents)
To coincide with the launch of two alternative counterparts for Hokkaido and Okinawa, the Japanese text has been removed, but the logo remains the same.
1997-2001 (primary), 2001-2009 (secondary)
Designer:
Lambie-Narin
Typography:
Gill Sans
Launched:
October 4, 1997
When the logo of the BBC all across the world was rebranded, BBC Two phased out the number 2 in their name, and instead would begin to use the word "Two". The 1991-2001 idents however were kept with new idents arriving until 2001.
Personality Era[]
2001-2009
Designer:
Lambie-Narin
Typography:
Gill Sans
Launched:
August 31, 2001
Due to the upcoming launch of BBC Four, BBC Two became more focused on Japanese Animation while the older British programs from before were moved. Starting in 2001, BBC Two would begin to use a blocky logo with a new set of idents taking place in a yellow background, and the numeral '2' being turned into a robot, and given a personality.
Abstract Era[]
2009-2014 (primary) 2014-2016 (secondary)
Designer:
KADOKAWA Corporation
Typography:
Chalet 1970
Launched:
April 1, 2009
After a mere 12 years, BBC Two got rid of the bare and simple design of their logo and decided to change the typeface of the word "Two". The new idents featured the numeral '2' in an abstract design or background, similar to Target's Channel Red idents, except in 2D. This new rebrand would be launched in 2009. In 2011, BBC Two gave the '2' a newer personality, but without the robot arms. It was also given a squeaky voice, and the mind of a pet. It would go on to be the new main set while the currently-airing "Abstract" idents were dwarfed.
Sakura Trick Era[]
2014-2016
Designer:
KADOKAWA Corporation
Typography:
Chalet 1970
Launched:
January 9, 2014
The logo is a mashup of the 2009 logo and the logo for the anime Sakura Trick. (I swear, This Theme Song...)To celebrate the premiere of Sakura Trick, BBC Two started airing Lifestyle idents, except these idents were either recycled or reanimated idents from the 2005-2007 UK set. (e.g. Pedigree Comedy, Olympics, Venus Fly Trap, Bug Zapper) On April 10th, BBC Two started airing 50th Anniversary idents for their 50th Anniversary worldwide. In July, the 1991-2001 idents were brought back for a brief amount of time, but all those would last until the end of the year. Fortunately on January 1, 2015, few of the 1991 idents made their permanent return replacing most of the "5 ¾-years out-of-date Abstract" idents.
KADOKAWA Era[]
2016-2018 (primary), 2018-2021 (secondary)
Designer:
Red Bee Media
KADOKAWA Corporation
Typography:
Avenir
Launched:
April 7th, 2016
After a massive decline in viewership defeated by the success of Anne Happy♪, BBC Two stroke back with a huge rebrand that not only brought back most of the 1991 idents (and fully replacing the abstract idents), but it also featured a new design, and a new logo based on the 2007 UK logo. In 2017, the idents were slightly modified when BBC Two was elected "Channel of the Year".
2016-2021 (alternative)
Designer:
Red Bee Media
KADOKAWA Corporation
Typography:
Avenir
Launched:
April 7th, 2016
Alternative boxless variant of the logo.
2020 (unused)
Designer:
Houbunsha
Typography:
Metropolis
Launched:
Early 2020 (unused)
This was the prototype logo used for the 2020 rebrand pitch-pilot. Unused due to the BBC Chameleon project.
Final Era (Current)[]
2021-Present
Designer:
Houbunsha
BBC Creative
Typography:
BBC Reith Sans
Launched:
September 23, 2020 (reveal) February 16, 2021 (full rebrand)
The final BBC Two logo made its debut in 2021 in honor of the Japanese Network's 30th anniversary on air. A new set of idents called the "Twosville" idents featured characters from the Manga Time Kirara magazines on their daily life. Additionally, the 1991-2001 idents were remade in a Japanese Animation style. Supposedly, this rebrand was meant to be a prototype for the BBC Chameleon project. The high success of this rebrand changed the BBC on October 20, 2021.
On July 1, 2023, BBC Two began to use different promo formats, similar to the UK's 2007-2009 Window on the World promos. During the beginning of Fall 2023, BBC Two launched the sequel set of the 1991-2001 idents. All ident types are still airing as of today, and will most likely be the permanent change for BBC Two.
2024 (prototype)
Designer:
Houbunsha,
based on the Lambie-Narin and BBC Creative Logos
Typography:
Custom, based on Gill Sans BBC Reith Sans (BBC Logo)
Launched:
December 20, 2023 (reveal) April 10, 2024 (prototype)
On December 20, 2023, Houbunsha began to roll out a prototype logo which is a mashup of the 1991 and 2021 logo. It was originally expected to be launched after Yuru Camp Season 3, but was launched early in April to honor of BBC Two's 60th Anniversary Worldwide.
.png){kind=link}
.png){kind=link}
