Mascots: The secret weapon in Japan's soft power arsenal
What makes a good mascot? It used to be that being cute was enough, but "yuru-kyara" in the 2010s needed storylines and Instagram followings if they want to make a mark.
Susaki mascot Chiitan runs afoul of Twitter's social media rules
Chiitan the otter was riding high this spring. After becoming one of the most popular characters in the country thanks to its chaotic online behavior, Chiitan started appearing everywhere in the media. Chiitan’s star dimmed somewhat after the city of Susaki, Kochi Prefecture, attempted ...
Susaki otter Chiitan leads a new generation of mascots with personality
Registration for this year’s Yuru-kyara Grand Prix opens on May 7, with eyes nationwide turning to see which cute and cuddly mascot will snap up the prestigious award in 2018. Winning the competition carries plenty of weight, something that is perhaps illustrated best by the ...
