
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】
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
Date handsome cockroaches in a new dating sim from one of Japan’s leading pest control companies
7-Eleven Japan reinvents convenience store fruit sandwiches with new salty pink sakura peach variety
Bears appear at one of Kyoto Prefecture’s most popular tourist spots[Video]
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Body of missing American college student found in Kyoto mountains
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
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
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】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
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】