mascot
Spoiler alert: it’s filled with one human, 10 pounds of sweat, and at least a year’s worth of back pain.
In what other country would someone think it was a good idea to hold a national ranking of bus company mascots?
Nyango Star must have apple-cat nerves of steel as he absolutely kills a performance of X Japan songs in front of a discerning audience.
Have you ever seen a mascot play drums? I bet you’d never expect one to be this awesome at it.
Even Gudetama occasionally cleans up after himself, which is more than we can say about some of our roommates in the past.
Read More
Domo-kun is down on the ice and can’t get up! Who can save the furry, brown monster mascot?!?
It seems to be that moe girls, those cute, sometimes slightly sexualized, doe-eyed animated characters, have spread from their origin in Japan throughout Asia. Not only have we seen them being used to mock government initiatives in Indonesia. In Taiwan, they’ve been employed extensively as subway mascots, and now the Department of Technology in Taipei has joined the moe bandwagon with 230-chan.
Kumamon is the official mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan. Since his debut in 2010, he’s become wildly popular, appearing in all kinds of media and lending his face to uncountable products. By some estimates, he’s pulling down hundreds of billions of yen a year. He’s given a guest lecture at Harvard, despite being mute, and has even met the imperial couple.
But despite this blessed existence, even mascots have bad days. And being in the public eye, those bad days are immortalized on film.
When it comes to food, presentation is everything, especially in Japan. You only have to stroll through a department store’s food floor to see how beautifully packaged and arranged everything is. And DIY food decorating is something that a lot of people really get into, whether it’s kyara-ben, deco-nabe, or artfully arranged curry rice.
And speaking of curry rice, here’s how to create an eye-catching deco-curry featuring one of Japan’s most beloved and cuddly mascot characters, Rilakkuma!
When you think about Japan’s obsession with the yuru-kyara, you will notice a few pretty common characteristics between the mascots, especially when looking at the past grand prix winners. Kumamon, Sanomaru, Gunma-chan, and Bary-san are all large, cute, fuzzy and somewhat aloof. Which is why it’s so strange to see one of the newest yuru-kyaras to debut.
Warabi Maiko-chan doesn’t seem that cute or fuzzy. In fact, whatever characteristics this new mascot is supposed to have, we can clearly say, we can see right through her.
A new superhero has arrived to save the people of Osaka from evildoers. This is great because just the other day some savage left an empty can in my bicycle’s basket while I parked it.
Unfortunately for me, his beat is just on the Rapi:t express train running between downtown’s Namba Station and Kansai International Airport. But if you happen to find trouble on the way to or from KIX there’s only one name to call out for help: Rapi…Ra…Rapee-itl-dee-yer!!?
Last year, Taiwanese netizens went gaga when one of the local subway systems, the Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit (KMRT), introduced two moe mascots to liven up their stations. The two anime girls, Xiao Qiong and Emilia, stirred up such a huge sensation, it seemed as if they were the only example of their kind in the country, but Taiwan has more moe than that!
If moe culture is your cup of tea, you’ll probably like this because we’ve got more Taiwanese anime mascots after the jump!
MOST POPULAR
Now
This beautiful up-and-coming Japanese fashion model isn’t actually a person【Photos】
Japanese subway conductor sues city for legal right for his beard to exist, monetary compensation
Japanese Internet confused and intrigued by sudden influx of “choking Sasuke memes”
Chiitan the otter rejected as mascot character for Japan’s Susaki City due to reckless behavior
Man buys CD from amateur musician on streets of Tokyo, stomps on it in front of her face【Video】
American fan meets his idol under the Shinjuku Godzilla, Mr. Sato apologizes for his photos
Seijinshiki 2019: Best wild kimono outfits from Coming of Age Day celebrations in Kitakyushu
The surprising source of the Ohmus’ voices in Ghibli’s Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Beloved Japanese paper craft wizard turns cookie box into a gorgeous sculpture
Japan’s public broadcaster films science experiment at the country’s most famous porn location
Weekly
- Japanese Internet confused and intrigued by sudden influx of “choking Sasuke memes”
“There are many mentally unwell girls in AKB48” claims ex-member of Japan’s top idol singer group
Japanese woman finds out fiance she met when he “found” her lost phone is the man who stole it- Seijinshiki 2019: Best wild kimono outfits from Coming of Age Day celebrations in Kitakyushu
Japan cherry blossom forecast 2019! Sakura coming earlier than usual to Tokyo
Budget entertainment: 12 fun things to do in Tokyo that will cost you absolutely nothing- Man buys CD from amateur musician on streets of Tokyo, stomps on it in front of her face【Video】
- This beautiful up-and-coming Japanese fashion model isn’t actually a person【Photos】
Buying property in Japan? This mini tower house can be yours for less than $12,000
Tokyo’s new “real-life Mario Karts” make it ridiculously clear they’re unrelated to Nintendo
Monthly
Japanese dad mercilessly beats son to tears in Smash Bros. after he says he wants to be pro gamer
Artist collapses at Comiket and dies, leading brother to make a request of all anime illustrators
Japanese 26-year old single mother arrested for inviting underage high school boy home
Cafe opens in Tokyo staffed by robots controlled by paralyzed people
Otaku husband returns home after argument to find wife has destroyed his anime robot collection
Loving husky dog gives her owner the most enthusiastic greeting, and also the loudest
Japanese idol asks fans to marry her, provided they can pay her 400,000 yen (US$3,550) a month
“He wore Uniqlo to meet me!” Japanese woman shares petty bad date story, Internet bites back- Japan’s public broadcaster films science experiment at the country’s most famous porn location
- Japanese Internet confused and intrigued by sudden influx of “choking Sasuke memes”
Yearly
- Japanese dad mercilessly beats son to tears in Smash Bros. after he says he wants to be pro gamer
Low-quality laughing stock of current anime season sends hidden cry for help in closing credits- Artist collapses at Comiket and dies, leading brother to make a request of all anime illustrators
To combat declining birth rate, Japan to begin offering “Breeding Visas” to foreigners- Cafe opens in Tokyo staffed by robots controlled by paralyzed people
- Japanese 26-year old single mother arrested for inviting underage high school boy home
Miss World Japan: The great-times-20-granddaughter of samurai lord One-Eyed Dragon
Edo-Period Japanese book depicts U.S. history in hilariously awesome illustrations
Shibuya Halloween event turns ugly with toppled truck, perverts, and upskirt photography
Miss Universe Japan debuts Sailor Moon ninja transformation dress as national costume for 2018
RECOMMENDED STORIES
American fan meets his idol under the Shinjuku Godzilla, Mr. Sato apologizes for his photos
Seijinshiki 2019: Best wild kimono outfits from Coming of Age Day celebrations in Kitakyushu
The surprising source of the Ohmus’ voices in Ghibli’s Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Beloved Japanese paper craft wizard turns cookie box into a gorgeous sculpture
Japan’s public broadcaster films science experiment at the country’s most famous porn location
Japan’s hyper-realistic CG schoolgirl moves for the first time in new video【Video】
Japanese swimsuit models celebrate Bikini Day 2018【Photos】
Wizarding World Cafe: First ever official Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts cafe opens in Japan
Man revives woman with AED, branded a “pervert” for removing her clothes to apply electrode pads
Idol group AKB48 sells 2.5 million copies of new CD, bags full of them end up in trash days later
Evangelion creator says even Hayao Miyazaki anime don’t have enough Miyazaki
Japanese woman finds out fiance she met when he “found” her lost phone is the man who stole it
6 challenges to international relationships (and how to make them work)
Japanese cosplayer wows crowds in Akihibara with four-legged centaur costume 【Video, photos】
-
