
Gachapin is, without a doubt, the country’s most badass mascot.
The second consecutive gold medal, won by Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu in the men’s singles figure skating, has earned him some very famous fans. Japan’s skill in the sport isn’t limited to only professionals, however, as even the country’s mascots show they have what it takes to twirl and spin gracefully on ice.
The green dinosaur mascot, Gachapin, who appeared on Fuji TV’s children’s program Hirake! Ponkikki, is a popular character among Japanese kids thanks to its friendly demeanor and sleepy-looking face. He looks really adorable, but kids who watch his past TV programs learn that Gachapin has a soft spot for winter sports.
▼ Ever seen a bucktoothed dinosaur on ice?
Gachapin takes a shot at figure skating in the video, but with deft movements and nimble twists like that, viewers quickly find out that he is more than your average mascot.
▼ A perfect routine eludes Gachapin…
▼ …But he nails it before long, complete with stunning axel jumps and fancy spins.
While we have a nagging suspicion that Gachapin is actually Hanyu in disguise, his skill in skiing proves that the green dinosaur is just really, really good at sports.
▼ Watch this monster race down a snowy slope.
▼ Did we mention that he’ll beat you at snowboarding?
▼ And wakeboarding too?
In fact, he’s so talented that he would bag gold medals in every category in the Mascot Olympics, if such a thing existed. Even though the official mascots for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have already been announced, Gachapin will always remain as the mascot who can own us in just about everything.
Images: YouTube/Fuji TV Kids
[ Read in Japanese ]



Controversy as journalist asks Olympic broadcasters to stop saying “Japanese people are amazing”
Japanese kids’ show mascot busts out a juicy piano pop tune inside a subway station
A spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Jumping into the 2026 Olympics【Pt. II】
A spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Sliding onto the World Stage【Pt. I】
Figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu performs nine-year medley of his routines, but not on the ice【Videos】
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Drift ice in Japan is a disappearing winter miracle you need to see now
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Levi’s lucky bag has tremendous value packed inside…but are they things we’ll actually wear?
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Eevee returns to Japan’s famous Tokyo Banana, bundled with a cute tote bag
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japanese Prime Minister once criticized deploying military to fight Godzilla
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
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
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
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
And now, a spot of everyone’s favorite winter sport: Japanese cat curling【Video】
Japan’s silver medalist figure skater has no time for love because he’s busy playing video games
Taiwanese ice skating fans come to the rescue when power blacks out during skaters’ performance
Yuzuru Hanyu launches own YouTube channel, fans flock to subscribe
Japanese weather presenter ad-libs through blooper, becomes Internet’s favourite girl 【Video】
Japanese figure skater Shoma Uno crushes pro gamer in Super Smash Bros. tournament【Video】
Chiitan vs John Oliver: Talk show host responds to Japanese mascot’s challenge to battle 【Video】
Sexy, shirtless, heavily-armed Japanese centaur promotes ramen and sports, of course【Video】
New “Love Dance” takes Japan by storm, thanks to a Japanese drama and a handsome J-Pop star
Figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu shows gamer cred with Super NES recommendations in interview【Video】
Kumamoto mascot Kumamon’s chance of being Olympic torch runner in jeopardy
Japanese mascot Shinjo-kun joins ChiiJohn for a trip to the U.S. to see John Oliver 【Video】
The Paralympics’ first official video game becomes an entirely new breed of sports game
Gunma Prefecture’s mascot brought in an estimated 71.3 billion yen last year
Aomori mascot shows no fear in front of legendary X Japan drummer Yoshiki【Video】