PythagoraSwitch
During the beginning and ending of each episode, and between each "corner" (segment), there are . "Pythagorean device" is the equivalent Japanese colloquialism for the American "Rube Goldberg machine" and British "Heath Robinson" contraption. The main focus of the program is a puppet show, but the subject is mainly advanced by small "corners". World phenomena, principles, characteristics, and the like are introduced in an entertaining way. At the end of each segment, the show's title is sung as a kind of punchline. Segments. In the show, segments are called "corners". Today's Topic. A puppet show in which explains  the structure of the world to young penguins Pita and Gora. A recurring situation is that, while discussing each topic, Encyclopedia would often say "The details are on my Nth page", to what the Penguins, after looking at said page, respond "We're children, so we can't read..." After that, the three call upon an anthropomorphic dog-like TV, who shows them a video about the topic. A mouse called Suu is also featured. Pythagora Devices. are frequently featured. Algorithm Exercise. A corner broadcast since 2002. It stars the duo Itsumo Kokokara. It is algorithm themed, so that the  movements that are done side by side are related ("crouching motion" combines with "shaking arms", so that the arms avoid the action, etc.). Usually, the duo does the exercise with special guests, such as NHK announcers, baseball players, sumo wrestlers, etc. There are also individual versions for each member: the "Yamada version" and the "Kikuchi version". Otou-san Switch. A segment in which a father and his child act out sequences and play games based on any of the Japanese letter sounds. Actors. , , and , are some of the voice actors who perform and call out the topics. Broadcast. Outside Japan , NHK World Premium broadcasts "PythagoraSwitch Mini". In Brazil, TV Cultura has been broadcasting it under the title "Viva Pitágoras!" since at least 2006. Starting April 2015, an English version of PythagoraSwitch Mini has been broadcast on NHK World TV. In addition, some PythagoraSwitch videos are also available on Google Video, YouTube and DailyMotion. Awards. At the 30th Japan Prize International Educational Program Contest, in 2003, episode 25 "Let's Look at It Another Way" won top prize, the Prime Minister's award, of the Early Education category. At Prix Jeunesse 2004 in Munich it won top prize in the age  6 and below non-fiction category.