Japanese Mascots exmplify the Japanese concept of "kawaii." Kawaii means cute. Kawaii is very popular in Japan. About the only two things more popular than kawaii in Japan are dolphin meat and xenophobia. Japanese mascots are inspired by all sorts of different creatures and ideas but there is one thing that they all have in common: they are adorable to the point that it borders on frustrating. Japan seems to have spent the last 3,000 years of its existence hell-bent on perfecting the art of making things huggable, and these mascots are the results:
Pipo-Kun
The adorable flying mascot of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Force. He's got a tiny little belt to keep his scruffy fur from chafing, a little sash to highlight how cute he is, and a long light blue hat on the his head to wipe the blood off his face when he has to use excessive force to detain a Yakuza.
Furu-bi, Kiccoro, And Morizo
Good christ this threesome couldn't be any cuter if it included a kitten sitting in a bowler hat sneezing and rubbing its nose. According to Japanese lore, "... Kiccoro the Forest Child is full of energy. Morizo is an easy-going and kind old man," and yes, they hold hands all the time. Furu-bi, the blue thing on the left, I can only imagine, is their severely mentally challenged cousin who they are embarrassed to have to walk to school with.
A Little Buddha Riding A Giant Ovular Deer
The year 2010 was the 1,300th anniversary of Heijo-kyo, which was the capital city of Japan a long time ago. To celebrate they needed a mascot. This mascot was embroiled in what can only be described as "the cutest controversy ever" where people fought bitterly over 21 mascots so mind-meltingly cute that any single woman over 40 who saw one would die instantly.
Hello, Please! Super Kawaii Orange And Mini-Milk
For f*ck's sake.
His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Akihito
Akihito, or "Cutesy The Littlest Tickleburger" as he is widely known, has been the reigning Emperor of Japan since 1989. Since the adoption of the 1947 constitution the Emperor of Japan has gone from wielding varying levels of political influence to serving largely as a ceremonial figurehead or "mascot" for the people. So he spends most of his days signing things the House of Representatives has already agreed upon, shaking people's hands, going to ceremonies, and chasing cats out of the imperial palace with a broom. And of course, At night, as outlined in the 1947 constitution, he transforms into Sailor Moon, a 14 year old school girl with the power of the moon, and keeps the Dark Kingdom from returning and conquering the Earth.
What other Japanese mascots are so adorable they make you want to schvitz? Let us know in the comments!
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