Kotono Mitsuishi
The origin of the anime came about during voice recording sessions for "Neon Genesis Evangelion". Kotono Mitsuishi, the voice actress for the character of Misato Katsuragi, would read the "Ebichu" manga in between takes and laugh at the humor. She would show others what she was reading and eventually it was decided that the series was worth animating. As a result, she was selected to voice the title character Ebichu. Also, in "Neon Genesis Evangelion", Misato drinks cans of Ebisu-brand beer. In one episode, though, the beer cans are labeled "Ebichu Ichiban" across the top with a small picture of a hamster with one white ear and one brown ear (like Ebichu), although the colors of its ears are on opposite sides (the hamster's brown ear is the right one, while Ebichu's brown ear is the left).