{"id":1217,"date":"2019-12-20T18:19:13","date_gmt":"2019-12-20T18:19:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mondomascots.com\/?p=1217"},"modified":"2020-07-11T17:22:38","modified_gmt":"2020-07-11T17:22:38","slug":"japanese-mascot-highlights-from-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/index.php\/2019\/12\/20\/japanese-mascot-highlights-from-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Mascot Highlights from 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2019 was another eventful year in the ever-evolving world of Japanese mascots. Here are some of the fun, fuzzy highlights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Otter Devastation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Ds2c2TDU8AAcUQx-900x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1218\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Ds2c2TDU8AAcUQx-900x1025.jpg 900w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Ds2c2TDU8AAcUQx-264x300.jpg 264w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Ds2c2TDU8AAcUQx-768x874.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Ds2c2TDU8AAcUQx-1349x1536.jpg 1349w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Ds2c2TDU8AAcUQx-1280x1457.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Ds2c2TDU8AAcUQx.jpg 1799w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption>Shinjokun and Chiitan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The year got off to a bang with the complex story of a public feud between two lovable otter mascots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shinjokun is the mascot of Susaki City, Japan, and is based on an extinct river otter that was last sighted in the area (and has a bowl of local noodles on his head). Last year, Chiitan, a real-life pet otter with a huge SNS following, was invited to be an honorary tourism ambassador for Susaki. A costumed version of Chiitan (with a turtle inexplicably on its head) was then created by the same designers of Shinjokun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"When gave a punching bag to a crazy mascot, it became a major incident\" width=\"629\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/03Q-Ckln9u0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the costumed Chiitan (who is canonically a 0-year-old fairy baby, rather than an otter) began independently releasing jackass-style slapstick videos online that went viral, many elderly Susaki residents mistook the character for the comparatively well-behaved Shinjokun. The local government got more than 100 complaints, so Susaki decided not to renew the contract of Chiitan (the real otter) as tourism ambassador this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"452\" src=\"http:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/DyuiQwHVYAA-87h.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1220\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/DyuiQwHVYAA-87h.jpg 680w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/DyuiQwHVYAA-87h-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The mayor of Susaki City also<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sankei.com\/smp\/photo\/daily\/news\/190206\/dly1902060016-s.html\"> held a press conference<\/a> to complain that the rebellious costumed Chiitan had infringed the copyright of Shinjokun, and requested that the anarchic otter cease activity. In further bad news for the fairy baby, Chiitan&#8217;s various verified Twitter accounts, on which posts were made in various languages to more than a million followers, were mysteriously suspended, and a Chiitan anime that was in development was shelved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chiitan, who was the breakout mascot star of 2018, had a terrible 2019. But the copyright lawsuit was recently dismissed, so hopefully 2020 will be better. Shinjokun, meanwhile, has taken up nightclub DJing and has also become a champion competitive gamer,<a href=\"https:\/\/soranews24.com\/2019\/06\/02\/otter-mascot-character-shinjo-kun-kicks-butt-at-street-fighter-tournament-in-full-costume%e3%80%90video%e3%80%91\/\"> winning a Street Fighter V tournament.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"382\" src=\"http:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D8c5EoGU8AMyLpq.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1221\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D8c5EoGU8AMyLpq.jpg 680w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D8c5EoGU8AMyLpq-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The warring otters story blew up around the world and was featured on CNN (with me, bizarrely, as a guest) and on &#8220;Last Week Tonight with John Oliver&#8221;, in which Shinjokun became friends with a John Oliver-like otter named Chijohn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Chiitan: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)\" width=\"629\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/f4fVdf4pNEc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Arukuma wins the Yuruchara Grand Prix<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The annual Yuruchara Grand Prix, an online vote to establish Japan&#8217;s most popular mascot, is always a big event (for me, at least). This year&#8217;s well-deserved winner was Arukuma, the green bear mascot of Nagano Prefecture, who wears an apple hat and enjoys walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"514\" height=\"597\" src=\"http:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EIbiwLtXUAATf83.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1222\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EIbiwLtXUAATf83.jpg 514w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EIbiwLtXUAATf83-258x300.jpg 258w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 514px) 100vw, 514px\" \/><figcaption>Arukuma<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pokemon as mascots<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">One fresh development this year was the use of Pokemon characters as regional mascots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"634\" height=\"364\" src=\"http:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EIkvZCMUwAEHZXi.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1236\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EIkvZCMUwAEHZXi.jpg 634w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EIkvZCMUwAEHZXi-300x172.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 634px) 100vw, 634px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Three Pokemon (Geodude, Lapras, and Chansey) were appointed \u201cThanks for  the Reconstruction\u201d ambassadors for towns affected by the Great Tohoku  Earthquake and that will also be host towns for the 2020 Olympics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Commercials<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mascots in Japan are always promoting something, and several of them appeared in memorable commercials in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Japanese mascot for Oreo cookies, Oreo Panda, danced and rapped in an intense retro commercial, which starts like an old children&#8217;s show and evolves into a phrenetic C &amp; C Music Factory-style music video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u201c\u30d0\u30d6\u30ea\u30fc\u30c0\u30f3\u30b9\u201d\u767b\u7f8e\u4e18\u9ad8\u6821OG\u3089\u3001\u4eca\u5ea6\u306f\u30aa\u30ec\u30aa\u30d1\u30f3\u30c0\u30f3\u30b9!\u3000\u30ad\u30ec\u30c3\u30ad\u30ec\u306e\u30c0\u30f3\u30b9\u3067\u30aa\u30ec\u30aa\u30d1\u30f3\u30c0\u3082\u899a\u9192!?\u3000\u30aa\u30ec\u30aa \u300c\u30d1\u30f3\u30c0\u30f3\u30b9\u300d\u30e0\u30fc\u30d3\u30fc\" width=\"629\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KNzF94LNFI4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>New Mascots<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lots of new mascots debuted this year. These included the costumed version of the popular virtual youtuber, Peanuts-kun, a peanut-headed yellow figure who wears only underpants and a neckerchief. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yurugp.jp\/jp\/vote\/detail.php?id=00004145\">Peanuts-kun<\/a> went on to win 1st place in the \u201cCorporate\/Other\u201d category of the aforementioned Yuruchara Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"790\" src=\"http:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/00004145.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1223\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/00004145.jpg 650w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/00004145-247x300.jpg 247w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><figcaption>Peanuts-kun<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another cult online character crowdfunded a costume for himself. Kawacchi, a maudlin, booze-loving kappa (folkloric water imp) with a successful Twitter account, is an unofficial mascot for Kawaguchi City, in Saitama Prefecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"989\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EH2tvS5UYAIiUI9-989x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EH2tvS5UYAIiUI9-989x1024.jpg 989w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EH2tvS5UYAIiUI9-290x300.jpg 290w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EH2tvS5UYAIiUI9-768x795.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EH2tvS5UYAIiUI9-1484x1536.jpg 1484w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EH2tvS5UYAIiUI9-900x932.jpg 900w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EH2tvS5UYAIiUI9-1280x1325.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EH2tvS5UYAIiUI9.jpg 1978w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 989px) 100vw, 989px\" \/><figcaption>Kawacchi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Kudamatsu City, 3,200 elementary school students voted for their city\u2019s new mascot, using tables and ballot boxes from governmental elections. There were three candidates (narrowed down from 764 entries) and the eventual winner was Kudamaru (the character in the middle, below) . <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"383\" src=\"http:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D2b4XrNUwAAM2E-.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D2b4XrNUwAAM2E-.jpg 680w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D2b4XrNUwAAM2E--300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Funassyi, the acrobatic pear fairy rock-star from Funabashi City, this year introduced a new member of his entourage, his childhood penpal from France, Peannu-chan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"http:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D2WPlWpU8AIFY9c-1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1227\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D2WPlWpU8AIFY9c-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D2WPlWpU8AIFY9c-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D2WPlWpU8AIFY9c-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D2WPlWpU8AIFY9c-1-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D2WPlWpU8AIFY9c-1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Rugby World Cup was held in Japan in 2019, and <a href=\"https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/01\/26\/sport\/japan-rugby-world-cup-2019-mascot\/index.html\">the tournament&#8217;s mascots<\/a> didn&#8217;t disappoint. The two white-and-red lion-like creatures, collectively named Ren-G, gained popularity for their idiosyncratic dancing and sold tons of merchandise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D5dhAJyXkAAafFd-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1229\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D5dhAJyXkAAafFd-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D5dhAJyXkAAafFd-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D5dhAJyXkAAafFd-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D5dhAJyXkAAafFd-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D5dhAJyXkAAafFd-900x506.jpg 900w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D5dhAJyXkAAafFd-1280x720.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D5dhAJyXkAAafFd.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Ren G meet Kumamon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also debuting this year was the clearly Chiitan-inspired pro-wrestling seal, Pokotan, of DDT Wrestling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"599\" src=\"http:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D-mT_bnUcAA1Slk.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1230\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D-mT_bnUcAA1Slk.jpg 900w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D-mT_bnUcAA1Slk-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D-mT_bnUcAA1Slk-768x511.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Unko Museum (Poo Museum) opened in Yokohama this spring, then moved  to Tokyo. The museum&#8217;s mascot,  a contemplative poop named Unberto, made&#8230;  um&#8230; quite a splash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Dzz_yizVsAA1Rsv-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1237\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Dzz_yizVsAA1Rsv-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Dzz_yizVsAA1Rsv-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Dzz_yizVsAA1Rsv-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Dzz_yizVsAA1Rsv-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Dzz_yizVsAA1Rsv-900x506.jpg 900w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Dzz_yizVsAA1Rsv-1280x720.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Dzz_yizVsAA1Rsv.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another notable 2019 debut was Kemuimon, a cloud of cigarette smoke who covers his own mouth and warns of the dangers of secondhand smoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"933\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EKOncWOU4AISigD-933x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1231\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EKOncWOU4AISigD-933x1024.jpg 933w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EKOncWOU4AISigD-273x300.jpg 273w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EKOncWOU4AISigD-768x843.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EKOncWOU4AISigD-1399x1536.jpg 1399w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EKOncWOU4AISigD-900x988.jpg 900w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EKOncWOU4AISigD-1280x1406.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EKOncWOU4AISigD.jpg 1865w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 933px) 100vw, 933px\" \/><figcaption>Kemuimon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In Memoriam<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sadly, a few mascots had to bow out this year.<br>Hustle Komon, the elderly tradesman mascot of Japan\u2019s Ibaraki Prefecture, retired in March and handed over the reins to the local unofficial mascot, Nebaaru-kun, a giant stretchy natto fairy. Based on a character from the long-running Japanese period TV drama, Mito Komon, the old tradesman is stepping down after 12 years because the rights to the character expired, but I\u2019m sure Nebaaru-kun will prove to be a worthy successor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"944\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D2mNhkGUYAAYIGS-944x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1233\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D2mNhkGUYAAYIGS-944x1024.jpg 944w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D2mNhkGUYAAYIGS-276x300.jpg 276w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D2mNhkGUYAAYIGS-768x833.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D2mNhkGUYAAYIGS-900x977.jpg 900w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/D2mNhkGUYAAYIGS.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 944px) 100vw, 944px\" \/><figcaption>Hustle Komon and Nebaaru-kun<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yuzugappa, the mascot of  Kito, a tiny village in Tokushima Prefecture, is a hybrid of a kappa and  a yuzu citrus fruit. He went into &#8220;hibernation&#8221; in May and hasn\u2019t been seen since. Sayonara, Yuzugappa!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"881\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Ds1VwfNVYAAD-iY-881x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1238\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Ds1VwfNVYAAD-iY-881x1024.jpg 881w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Ds1VwfNVYAAD-iY-258x300.jpg 258w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Ds1VwfNVYAAD-iY-768x893.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Ds1VwfNVYAAD-iY-1321x1536.jpg 1321w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Ds1VwfNVYAAD-iY-900x1047.jpg 900w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Ds1VwfNVYAAD-iY-1280x1489.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Ds1VwfNVYAAD-iY.jpg 1761w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 881px) 100vw, 881px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Japan\u2019s scenic Kujuku Islands retired their tourism mascots, two  rocky islands named Butsubutsu-kun and Butsubutsu-chan, over concerns  that the mascots\u2019 bumpy sandstone faces might offend people with skin complaints. RIP, guys!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"719\" height=\"404\" src=\"http:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EJEFvbhUYAErsaJ.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EJEFvbhUYAErsaJ.jpg 719w, https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/EJEFvbhUYAErsaJ-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 719px) 100vw, 719px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next year looks set to be another exciting year for Japanese mascots: Brown &amp; Friends, the mascots for the messaging app Line, will be appearing in their own Netflix show; the Olympics and Paralympics will take place in Tokyo, and the events\u2019  futuristic mascots, Miraitowa and Someity, are likely to be omnipresent; and 2020 will also be the year of the final ever Yuruchara Grand Prix (supposedly). I&#8217;m looking forward to all the impending fun!<br><br>2019 was also an eventful year for myself, personally. I got to meet and photograph almost 1,000 mascots in person at various events, and I had lots of exciting adventures traveling around the country to do so. I got interviewed by<a href=\"https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/videos\/tv\/2019\/01\/23\/new-stream-stout-intv-carlier-japanmascot.cnn\"> CNN<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-asia-49758043?ns_mchannel=social&amp;ns_linkname=news_central&amp;ns_campaign=bbc_news_asia&amp;ns_source=twitter\">the BBC<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/01\/22\/world\/asia\/japan-mascot-chiitan-otter.html\">the New York Times<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gq.com\/story\/mondo-mascots-biggest-fits\">GQ<\/a>; and I made it onto the AV Club&#8217;s list of <a href=\"https:\/\/aux.avclub.com\/the-100-best-worst-and-weirdest-things-we-saw-on-the-1839566367\">The 100 best, worst, and weirdest things we saw on the internet in the 2010s<\/a> (number 74). I also began writing a Mondo Mascots book, so look out for that later next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thank you for reading all my posts in 2019, and thanks to all the marvelous mascot folks for bringing so much fun into my days.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"twitter-share\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?via=mondomascots\" class=\"twitter-share-button\">Tweet<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2019 was another eventful year in the ever-evolving world of Japanese mascots. Here are some of the fun, fuzzy highlights: Otter Devastation The year got off to a bang with the complex story of a public feud between two lovable otter mascots. Shinjokun is the mascot of Susaki City, Japan, and is based on an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[44,3,7,2,22],"tags":[4,5],"class_list":["post-1217","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chiitan","category-japan","category-kumamon","category-mascots","category-shinjou-kun","tag-japan","tag-mascots"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1217","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1217"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1217\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1249,"href":"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1217\/revisions\/1249"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1217"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1217"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mondomascots.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1217"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}