
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】
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
Are 500-yen noodles at Akihabara Ramen Center a great find or cheap miss?
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Peko-chan Milky Time Cafe opens in Chiba and we go to check out all of the pastries and merch
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
New cherry blossom party picnic essential: This super-handy folding cardboard table
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
Sega’s Like a Dragon yakuza teaches “useless” English, let’s use it to learn some useful Japanese
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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