Mascots (Page 3)
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.
Chiitan’s management claim a city rep in charge of happiness told them “permission wasn’t needed.”
Oh, and 29-year-old Famichiki Senpai is also an anthropomorphic piece of fried chicken with beefy human arms.
That adorable otter just took one too many blows to the head for the liking of city residents and officials.
All six candidates were cute enough to do the country proud, but these two are the winners.
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Enlightening clips show just how hard it is to do the simplest things when you’re a mascot.
Organizers find a way to let vision-impaired kids express their opinion of which of the adorable characters best represents Japan.
These six mascots take their inspiration from sakura cherry blossoms, shrines, and Japanese fairy tales.
The city’s subway operator can’t decide whether their mascot should look like a muppet or a sexy service manager.
The cute character bares his pecs in the fight against stranger danger, where children are told to remember the words “Squid Sushi” to protect them from harm.
With her own official Twitter account and a town in Tottori Prefecture behind her, Japan’s first ever cannabis character comes dressed as a pink-haired shrine maiden.
Call me old fashioned but I remember when mascots were meant to be cute, not demons spawned by human weakness or yam ninjas.
Over the weekend, a fight broke out between two mascots who have a well-documented history of bad blood.
Emerging from the cocoon that was The Daily Show, John Oliver has carved out a brilliant spot for himself with his own talk show Last Week Tonight. He has produced some amazing pieces on net neutrality, Edward Snowden, the Miss America Pageant and the NCAA. Viewers tune in each week to find out what subject close to their hearts is being roasted or promoted on HBO. Japan has gotten a couple of mentions on the show before, but this past week brought the insanity that is Japanese mascots to the attention of his viewers. Surely Japan’s mastery of the subject can teach the rest of the world something.



















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Kinotake Mother AI developed to study Japan’s divide between chocolate cookie snacks
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Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Japanese foundation tests mobile meditation truck in Osaka city with promising results
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Japanese schoolgirl talks foreigner out of suicide attempt on her way to class【Video】
Problem solved: How to open a Japanese convenience store onigiri rice ball【Pics and video】
Quick-thinking, compassionate Japanese cab driver prevents passenger suicide at dam
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Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
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Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
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Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
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
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Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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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
Why is Yoshinoya called Yoshinoya?
Japanese schoolgirl talks foreigner out of suicide attempt on her way to class【Video】
Problem solved: How to open a Japanese convenience store onigiri rice ball【Pics and video】
Quick-thinking, compassionate Japanese cab driver prevents passenger suicide at dam
Do you remember giant robots? Full-scale Macross Valkyrie lands in Yokohama
Man in Tokyo slices own stomach with knife near one of the city’s busiest train stations
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Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
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