Say what you will about ‘yuru-kyara‘ – the marketing idea that can be basically summed up as Japan’s “let’s have a cartoon mascot for EVERYTHING!” philosophy – but the vast majority of those funny characters adopted by prefecture and town tourism boards across the nation are nothing if not cute!
Take Princess Miyako, character mascot of Miyako-machi in Fukuoka Prefecture. Designed by illustrator Shiitake, Princess Miyako is the picture of youthful elegance: her fresh purple and green tones are even modelled after the town’s iris flowers.
It’s one thing to design a beautiful anime character in two dimensions. But when that mascot gets transformed into a three-dimensional character costume, bad things can happen. Bad, bad things…
▼ Here’s Princess Miyako, as designed by talented artist Shiitake in 2012.
▼ And here she is today!
Two years, it seems, is a long time in show business.
In case we were in any doubt as to the identity of the mascot before us (seeing as she’s dressed – right down to the bow in her hair – in pink, and is for some unknown reason carrying a basket of stuffed cats), someone has helpfully written “Princess Miyako’s Donation Box” on that cardboard box next to her.
Perhaps Shiitake’s graceful, anime design was part of Princess Miyako’s three-dimensional downfall: it’s easier to make plush adult costumes out of rotund cartoon characters than it is svelte anime princesses, after all.
You can check out more of Shiitake’s beautiful work on her deviantART page or website. Just don’t make any more ‘yuru-kyara’ costumes out of them. Please.
Sources: Hamusoku, Shiitake website
Images: Shiitake via Miyako-machi, Miyako-machi
Featured image: Shiitake via Miyako-machi
Hard Ku**mon is here to put lazy mascots out of work with his creepy latex hugs
This year’s contest to choose Japan’s greatest mascot attracting some shady characters
Kawaguchi’s mascot Cupolan doesn’t mind that you think it looks like a turd
Teruhiko stirs up controversy on the net and makes a mean yakisoba
Japanese mascots endangered by effects of coronavirus
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
What’s inside the McDonald’s Japan fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Braving a Japanese national fireworks competition with 10x more people than the city population
Taiwan throws lively funerals, complete with miniskirt-clad marching bands 【Video】
Japanese Cabinet to officially announce new romanization spelling recommendation next week
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Gunma-chan is named the champion of the 2014 mascot character contest
Last Week Tonight tackles Japan’s mascot craze and the results are glorious【Video】
Otter mascot character Shinjo-kun kicks butt at Street Fighter tournament in full costume【Video】
Leave a Reply