Japanese Mascots

Mejiron is the mascot of the National Sports Festival 2008, being staged in Oita prefecture. His profile is here; there is some merchandise here and some video clips of Mejiron’s official dance here. His name in Japanese is めじろん.

Today on Japanese Mascots.com sees the start of a new series of special posts on the mascot characters of velodrome cycling arenas across the country. Rintaro is the mascot of the Toride Keirin velodrome, Ibaraki prefecture. He is something of a scatterbrain. Rintaro’s profile is here; scroll down the page for wallpapers and on-line games. At the top of the same page is a depiction of the love-triangle between three other Toride-related characters, Bank, Jan and Kanto, who have a separate website here. Rintaro’s name in Japanese is りんたろう.

Hoopy is the mascot of the Japan Basketball League. He likes hip-hop music and his motto is “Never Give Up!” Hoopy’s profile is here. His name in Japanese is フーピー.

Toto-kun is the mascot of the National Agency for the Advancement of Sports and Health. He likes sports and rock music. Toto-kun’s profile is here. His name in Japanese is トト君.

Chi-ba-kun is the mascot of the 65th National Sports Festival and the 10th National Sports Games for the Disabled, which will be staged in Chiba prefecture in 2010. A small web page is here and Chi-ba-kun’s blog is here. His name in Japanese is チーバくん.

Iris-chan is the mascot of the Denso Iris women’s basketball team. She is always lively on the court. Her profile is here. Iris’s name in Japanese is アイリスちゃん.

Japanese Mascots today begins a short series of special posts about the mascot characters of the small town of Oshamanbe, Hokkaido. This is also Iris-chan. Her name in Japanese is also アイリスちゃん.

Jisanka and Itenka are the mascots of the Japanese Volleyball Association. Together they are called the Charm Twins. Itenka is pictured below and their profile is here. Jisanka’s name in Japanese is ジサンカ . Itenka’s name in Japanese is イテンカ.

Tyna is the mascot of the Sendai 89ers basketball team. He is 189cm tall and weighs 89 kilos. His profile is here. Tyna’s name in Japanese is ティナ.

Neppie and Ripsea are the mascots of the Orix Buffaloes baseball team. Neppie - who is pictured below - takes his name from the Roman god of the sea, Neptune. Ripsea’s name is a combination of the words “ripple” and “sea”. Their profile is here. Neppie’s name in Japanese is ネッピー . Ripsea’s name in Japanese is リプシー.

Minyamin is the mascot of the Sennichimae shopping mall, Osaka. In the picture she is dressed in the uniform of the local Hanshin Tigers baseball team. Minyamin’s profile is here and some merchandise is here. Her name in Japanese is みにゃみん.

Dore-kun is the mascot of the Consadole Sapporo soccer club. He is a Blakiston’s fish owl, common in Hokkaido. His sharp eyes see a mouse like a soccer player sees the goal. Dore-kun’s profile is here. His name in Japanese is ドーレくん.

Slyly is the mascot of baseball club Hiroshima Carp. He is 210cm tall and enjoys music and dancing. His profile is here and there are photos of him here. Slyly’s name in Japanese is スラィリー.