Last Friday the logo was revealed for Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It was received with mixed reviews, with many of the opinion that the aesthetic thought that went into the logo wasn’t quite as deep as the message behind it.
As if there wasn’t already enough debate about the execution of the logo design itself, now there are rumors that the design could possibly be a plagiarization of the work of French designer Oliver Debie.
Kenjiro Sano, the designer of both the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games logos, is a successful graphic designer whose work has appeared in a number of popular Japanese advertisements. Some of his most well-known work among residents of Japan include the au LISMO! emblem and ReBORN logo for Toyota’s commercials featuring Jean Reno as Doraemon.
Sano’s emblem, which he proudly posed with after its unveiling last Friday, was chosen from over 100 logo submissions.
Soon after his winning design was unveiled, controversy broke out about how the logo didn’t quite meet the aesthetic qualities Japan is known for, with references made to it resembling the Japanese flag or complaints that the red circle looked like an out-of-place pickled plum.
Despite some people’s initial disappointment, many were starting to get behind the design until recent news surfaced that the logo could have possibly been plagiarized from Debie’s design for Belgium’s Théâtre de Liège.
In this Facebook post made by Studio Debie, not only do the emblems look eerily similar, you can also see both logos utilize the same Clarendon font underneath.
Looking at his previous work above, there’s no doubt that Sano is a very talented graphic designer. Still, even if Sano didn’t take inspiration from Debie’s work, with the whole logo plagiarism debacle that came up between the Telluride Foundation and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, it might have been wiser for the designer to have done a little more research first.
So what do you think? Is this just a case of one designer borrowing just a little too much from another, or is this the result of what happens when two great minds think alike?
Source: Byokan Sunday
Top image: Facebook/Studio Debie
Feature images: Recruit, Swim Swam, Facebook/Studio Debie, brandchannel
Looks like it’s time to say good-bye, and maybe good riddance, to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics logo
Online auction market booming for posters with cancelled, possibly copied 2020 Olympics emblem
Olympic committee expands call for logo design submissions, children and office workers welcome
Is there an adorably chubby bird hiding inside the Tokyo Olympics logo?
Official 2020 Tokyo Olympic logos possess a little secret you might not have noticed
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Should you warm up your convenience store onigiri rice balls in the microwave?【Taste test】
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Denny’s in Japan?
7-Eleven Japan’s sakura sweets season is underway right now!
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japan just had its first same-month foreign tourist decrease in four years
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Governor of Tokyo unveils new city logo, internet responds with questions about plagiarism again
Just what the heck is the Tokyo Olympics symbol supposed to be?
New Tokyo Olympic stadium architect responds to accusations of plagiarism
Net user proposes clever changes to 2020 Tokyo Olympics logo in light of one-year delay
McDonald’s Japan gets into the spirit of the games with new Tokyo 2020 Olympics tumblers
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics announces the winner of its adorable mascot election
Half of Tokyo’s universities to use credits to “convince” students to volunteer in 2020 Olympics
Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics mascot finalists unveiled【Pics & Video】
Tokyo Olympic chief may resign over misogynistic remarks, promises statement
2020 Tokyo Olympic torch relay to tour all 47 prefectures of Japan starting from Fukushima
Tokyo Olympics will not allow spectators from overseas
Tokyo Olympic committee comes up with clever way to let blind children help select Games’ mascots
Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony preliminary ticket prices announced, wallets cry across Japan
A look inside the Tokyo Media Centre for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games
9 ways Tokyo could become more foreigner-friendly in time for the 2020 Olympics