mascot characters

Japan’s famous Suica Penguin JR train pass card mascot is “graduating”/being laid off

25 years after the Suica Penguin helped revolutionize how Japan buys train ticket and shops, JR’s plans for the future don’t include the character.

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60th Anniversary Sanrio Exhibition opens this month to celebrate the Japanese culture of cute

“The Beginning of Kawaii” exhibition explores the backstories of famous Sanrio characters and more

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What’s the story behind the running boy mascot in Japan?

“Emotional parking boy that can be used every day” is missing one vital thing.

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The Vatican now has an official anime-style mascot character【Video】

Luce is an attempt to form connections via “the pop culture so beloved by our young people.”

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Kyoto Tower mascot termination reveals dark side behind cute Japanese characters

Sayonara, Tawawa-chan. It’s a shame you got caught in the cross hairs. 

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This balding middle-aged fairy is one of Japan’s most unique mascot characters

Atsuo welcomes visitors to Atami, the town where he turned into a fairy.

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Japanese prison mascot appears in children’s colouring book made by prison inmates

Can an anthropomorphised prison wall really capture the heart of a child? 

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Universal Studios Japan lifts ban on hugging, high-fiving mascots

Let’s hug it out at USJ.

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Tokyo couple caught making stickers with police mascot flipping bird

That salute is not in the police manual.

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Osaka makes decision on terrifying mascot for upcoming world’s fair

Definitely not a conventionally kawaii character.

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New Japanese mascot character: A train station monster that grabs children who don’t mind the gap

Kind of like a Japanese version of Pennywise the Clown. 

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Vending machine makes commuters smile at Japanese train station

Tokyo station lives up to its name with a good old-fashioned pun.

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Japanese government removes controversial radioactive material illustration video and pamphlet

Awareness campaign for plan to dump radioactive water into ocean lands creators in hot water.

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Japan government makes cute illustrated version of radioactive isotope it plans to dump into sea

Video released on same day approval is granted for waste water project at Fukushima nuclear power plant.

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Kids in Hikari are raised under Boob Childrearing concepts.

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After a decade as electronics stores’ mascot, Tsukumo-tan is unemployed.

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Tokyo’s newest mascot character is a rabbit who’s permanently sad【Photos】

But it’s not the rush hour crowds that have this Japan Railway bunny feeling blue.

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Hello Kitty doesn’t have a mouth, so how does she video chat with fans? We find out!

A meet-and-greet with a mute, mouthless Sanrio character? Sounds good!

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Adorable mascot bear Kumamon stars on the most popular new license plate in Japan

Kumamoto’s goodwill ambassador is even more popular than Mt. Fuji!

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Japan’s favorite city mascot goes on talk show, says it’s tired, wants to go back to Pear Land

Funasshi has had more than six years of celebrity fame, so maybe it’s time for the pear creature to have a little R&R.

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