Japanese Mascots Unleashed: Guide to Japan's Yuru-chara ★ ONLY in JAPAN #42

Japanese Mascots have gone wild all over Japan! There are literally thousands of them representing local towns and areas, cities, government agencies, banks, products - even prisons! Japanese mascots are called “yuru chara” in Japan and there are certain guidelines to become one:
1) The character must convey a love for the local area or hometown
2) Character movements or behavior should be unique, unstable or awkward
3) They should also be YURUI meaning unsophisticated, laid-bak - and absolutely lovable!
In this episode, John Daub travels to Shizuoka to attend the 2015 Yuruchara Grand Prix held in Hamamatsu city.
1727 mascots were entered. In the first Yuru Chara Grand Prix in 2010, only 169 mascots were entered so there's been an explosion of characters!
We will also take a close look at Kumamon くまモン who is the most recognized mascot in Japan. Kumamon is from Kumamoto which was recently hit with massive earthquakes. Kumamon now is bringing happiness to those effected by the earthquake and will help to rebuild the image of Kumamoto prefecture.
How much money do Japanese mascots generate for Japan?
In 2012, the strongest year for yuru chara growth, they generated US$16B.
URL:
Yuru Chara Grand Prix
www.yurugp.jp/
Won won? The Japanese Mascot ranking for 2015:
www.yurugp.jp/vote/result_rank...
Yonago City Tourism (Yonegees)
www.city.yonago.lg.jp/yonegees/
Music:
KUMAMONMON くまモンもん song
Kumamoto Prefecture
URL: kumamon-official.jp/
Full Song Video: • 「くまモンもん」(MV) ※英語歌詞字幕付き...
Hot Swing by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Direct to Video by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: chriszabriskie.com/dtv/
Artist: chriszabriskie.com/
This show has been created and produced by John Daub ジョン・ドーブ. He's been living and working in Japan for over 18 years and regularly reports on TV for Japan's International Channel.

[@nottooshabby8456]

I love how right when one mascot knocked the other to the ground, he immediately checked if he was ok 😂

[@Beffinee]

Too much cuteness in one place!!!!! ^_^

[@onlyinjapan]

+Beffinee Cuteness OVERLOAD!!! It's a fantastic event, but held so far away in Ehime next year, -john

[@chartheredcometaznable2345]

Beffinee you're the cute one😍

[@arctic6756]

≧◉◡◉≦

[@sonicthehedgehog8159]

There’s no cuteness here

[@JustARandomNameHEHE]

LMFAO I died at the frog sumo wrestling. He always seemed like a derp in the beginning and the way he fell was so derpy and funny and cute. And omigod I couldn't hold it in during that kumamon dance at the end

[@CamilleLMacLean]

Yes, so cute, I laughed so hard I cried. 💙

[@RenRenRan]

2:38 Bubblekun is the freakin' Scrubbing Bubbles mascot!

[@OwenTriumph]

I KNO WTF?

[@danny3626]

clearly a Japanese version

[@RoyBattyRabbit]

TheRenegadeRainbow i only knew two of those mascots and Bubblekun was one of them haha

[@cinnamonsun7099]

It Totally is Scrubbing Bubbles

[@poweroffriendship2.0]

Bubbles looks like that Jellyfish mascot from Spongebob Squarepants.

[@gordogunso]

2:40 wait, SCRUBBING BUBBLES REPRESENTING????

[@stayathomemeatbag]

I know right?!?!!

[@parkchimmin7913]

“Bubble-kun”

[@bignasty7172]

3 things I wanna do in Japan: 1. Go to the Pokemon Center 2. Watch some movies that haven't come out in the US yet. 3. Come to one of these Katsu-Cons! 😀

[@kmon4680]

At 2:39 that is literally the sponge from the scrubbing bubbles adverts

[@minoroka6248]

8:05 two kids watching a middle aged man dance with a mascot

[@OldGameBox]

Ah, so that's where that black bear is from. It really got popular huh. Impressive.

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you enjoy the new episode \(^_^)/ show time! Please leave a comment and I'll reply over the holidays. #mascots #Japan #dance #cooljapan #onlyinjapan -John

[@Syrephine]

+WAORYU ONLYinJAPAN That is so Cool! Those were so adorable I would have to hug them all except I will agree the stone face one is kinda weird but reminds me of the Kodama Forest Spirits off of Princess Mononoke. I hope you have a great new year Looking forward to your New videos in 2016 Arigatou Gozaimasu!

[@hermantochen24]

happy new year john.i really like your video.

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+martin toner Happy New Year from Tokyo Martin!

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+Jonuchi Hunter happy new year!!

[@Syrephine]

Happy New Year to You John and your family & friends. It's New Years eve here in Kansas, since its just my daughter and I don't know if we will stay up or not. But we love your videos!

[@i_vox999]

*ahhhhhh they're so CUTE!! I WANT TO HUG THEM ALL!!! >.

[@rebeccasabet2802]

I wonder if Kumamon will be at the Olympics.

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+rebecca sabet Probably!! He's Japan's most famous celebrity!! -john

[@dannyseo6759]

Hatsune Miku too!!!

[@chaliceohearts4658]

Maybe he’ll hang out with Miraitowa?

[@erroresque]

Oh yes please!

[@tomservo9254]

Please keep him away from the fire. I'm just saying.

[@RoyBattyRabbit]

There's a side-quest in Yo-kai Watch 2 where Kumamon appears!

[@mochiDiasomnia8]

These mascots are way better than USA!!!!!!!

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

I think if the USA follows the Yuruchara guidelines, the mascots will get more interesting. I just spent a few minutes with Melonkuma in Hokkaido and -- it was unforgettable! -John

[@skunkman9815]

They should bring some Nintendo mascots like Mario or yoshi or maybe some animal crossing characters like Isabelle

[@PotatoCheeks]

Omg! I want a plushie of Fukkachan! So cute~

[@Rhabanaarum]

they actually have plushies for Fukkachan

[@Danzigg1979]

Me too

[@1billionz]

Thanks for making these!

[@FeminaExMachina]

I had the great pleasure of being a costumed character a couple of times and I loved it so much! (As Disney employees would say, I was "best friends with" the Easter Bunny!) I wish there were more mascot opportunities in the U.S.. I can dream that I could visit Japan and work there for a while as a mascot.

[@androidgames1927]

Wow!

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

Fantastic! Best episode I've come across yet, really awesome!! The old lady at 0:25 wheeling into frame was heart warming, I love old people! Keep up the fantastic work^^

[@__-yl8gz]

3:04 OH MY GOSH ONLY FILIPINO SPEAKERS WILL UNDERSTAND THIS Yakappi ö 'Yakap' in Filipino means hug and I was so shook when I saw it gesturing a hug or something T^T cute

[@rafaelcerchiaro7456]

Man i had so much fun in this video, nice job!!!

[@LuisFranciscoHerranzJerez]

OMG a new video! Thank you John for your videos, they are amazing!

[@shockerzlee]

Been waiting for this video after you have uploaded about these guys on FB. Awesome video as always!

[@onlyinjapan]

+Shockerz Lee Right! I usually give a preview or background with photos on the Facebook page: facebook.com/onlyinjapantv and recently on Twitter (which I stink at). Thanks a million for the chance to plug that! -john

[@LyleKN]

Happy New Year to you! Yet another great episode. The mascots are adorable! Lyle

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Thanks, Lyle! Happy New Year from Tokyo! -John

[@leftyfourguns]

Nooooo froggy!!

[@AwesomeBrony]

adorable and lovable characters! lovely!

[@db2able]

Great video. It's amazing how much goes into making these things. Not to mention the amount of people that attend. The sumo wrestling part was hilarious. Keep up the great work.

[@annjajojen162]

So cute when doing the sumo! ;)

[@sarah_maravilla]

Nice vid! You never disappoint my expectations! Keep it up!

[@hotelierid9029]

Ah so many cuteness in one place >.

[@theguyeric1]

It's NYE and this just made my day I'm literally smiling and laughing at the same time those mascots are cute and funny at the same time definitely entertaining to watch. Great video and editing as always. See you guys in 2016! HNY to every1!!

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Thank you for that!! So happy to hear it! We're already in the other side here in Tokyo. Happy 2016!! -John

[@feliciakc1]

When Enchan stood up, with long legs, I gasped so loudly! Didn't expect the mascot to have.. well, long legs xD It's so funny!!!!

[@oxcy_xo3672]

Shimanekko is soo cute

[@RedawesomeO1]

That kumamon music is so catchy! hahaha! I can't stop listening to it such cuteness! ❤️

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+Red Stellarzski I know, right!?! I was humming / singing it for days, even making up my own words to the song while editing this video. Was doing fine -- then I watched again just now >_< shoot!!! -john

[@Sphinxlyke]

I love your videos and channel John! Looking forward to your next video! Keep up the great work!!!

[@titanparadox5744]

7:55 You have good taste :3

[@googlingnoodles9157]

I love your channel! John is a good host:D keep it up!

[@snowplaysgames7]

Amazing video! I like the addition of the little fans inside of the costumes! I'm super hyped up for the next video! It seems like a sport even I would love to get into haha.

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+Snow I know! Some of those costumes are really high tech! I want to know how they got that NAKANON (the fat inflated one) to stay so -- bouncy -- with a human inside! Spochan is really interesting! Fight with (air) swords and not die. Honor on the line .... THANK YOU for the comment! -john

[@MMJesusIsKing]

So cute!!!! Thank you for making these videos we love watching! ✌🏽️❤️

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+gloryboxam Thanks for watching! -john

[@monotaku9796]

Finally a new episode - and it was really good! ^^

[@onlyinjapan]

+Monotaku9 Thanks!! -john

[@DaFreshMango]

I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS. They are very interesting. Keep dishing them out, i want morrreee... lol

[@onlyinjapan]

+DaFreshMango MORE is one the way :) -john

[@alanaswiss]

This made me so happy. They're so cute!

[@jennifer7341]

Thank you! I enjoy these very much!

[@CarpediemODST]

Oh dear... Kumamon theme too catchy. Gonna start singing that song out of nowhere now. Thanks Japan! :D Looking forward to the next video!

[@craigwinkler2887]

hey John, Just go back from 2 weeks in Japan, your videos were so incredibly helpful in planning my trip. While there i saw so many things, places etc. covered by you!! Thank you for showing us all this amazing country with your awesome videos!!

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+Craig Winkler Hi Craig, really glad to hear that! Where did you like the best? Anything interesting you found on the trip? -john

[@uboyagamay7713]

If you guys didn’t know, Funyassi of Funabashi was voted Heisei eras most popular mascot and I can completely see why. His jump and scream are perfect.

[@RT-yg9cv]

1:52 YAICHAN!!! 😍 I WANT TO MEET YOU YAICHAN!!!😍😍😍❤❤❤

[@distant07]

Hey john, I love your videos, and I really wish you got more views because what you do is amazing! I honestly never knew these things about Japan before your videos, and I respect the country even more than I did when I was a kid. Please continue making more awesome videos and educating the world about Japan!!!

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+kari123 Thank you!! If I keep making good shows the best I can, more people will join us eventually. I can't believe four shows out of 44 episodes have exceeded 1M views! I think KZbin is hit or miss (this episode is a little slow with views compared to others) but people eventually find the channel. Really REALLY appreciate the encouragement! -john

[@elinarose8815]

Thank you for all these amazing videos! Your videos make my day😀

[@onlyinjapan]

+Elina Rose Thank you for saying that :) you made my day with the comment \(^_^)/ -John

[@CamilleLMacLean]

This is awesome, the mascots are absolutely adorable, my favorite is Chiitan 😊🐢🍼💙💙💙

[@mikerosoftpaint7906]

i like how everything in Japan is either super cute or extremely gory, it's like there's no in-between

[@Seros0000]

Great vid! Great Work Love your work :D

[@bigmocha4694]

This is totally on my bucket list! ❤️

[@PrayogaHarryputra]

I wonder how a long a man should wear those costumes in the mid-day humidity... Salute to them who give it 100% effort!

[@onlyinjapan]

+Prayoga Harryputra In the summer, not very long!! That's why the event is in the fall and yes, they deserve a good salute for their effort! Many in local governments do it for fun like in Yonago. Respect to the mascot (and the guy or gal inside!!) -john

[@marioavilamiranda5312]

I saw this yesterday and I think is my favorite video! Love it. You should have an Only in Japan Yuru Chara :D

[@suriahagumi]

why!!! why!! my notification didn't pop up!! i missed this for 5 days!!! omg!!! it was soooo fluffyyyyy!!! thanks John!! can't wait for next vid...

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Some viewers have mentioned this to me too. KZbin turned off notifications as default it seems. You can turn it on again on the channel page or keep in touch with my Facebook page for the channel: facebook.com/onlyinjapantv or Google+ account. -John

[@suriahagumi]

+ONLY in JAPAN already followed your fb page long long time ago...hehe..

[@rokkakucat795]

Great video! I decided to watch this video, after my friend told me about Kumamon. And you did a great job explaining, so I shared your video with my friends. Thank You, and I hope you have a good 2016!

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Hi James! I'm glad you could learn more about Kumamon from this episode and I can't thank you enough for sharing! -John

[@zacksiniscalchi5787]

Great video John.

[@ThatOneSceneDude]

Another great video! thumbs up!

[@onlyinjapan]

+ThatOneSceneDude Thanks! -john

[@iamjonyboi1335]

+John Daub I want to see one on karaoke because I heard that's really popular

[@thejoker7413]

Great video John :)

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+The Joker Thanks! -john

[@missi2k252]

I have been waiting for your video for so long also hope you have a happy New Year and hope you have a great 2016😀

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+Missi 2k Thank you!! Happy New Year from Tokyo! -- we've only 11 hours to go! -john

[@astroboy3507]

Kawaii !!!!! Yes growing and growing cool !!!! Also again happy new year 2016 John !!!!! 👍

[@onlyinjapan]

+astroboy3507 Happy New Year Astroboy!! Best wishes from Tokyo! -john

[@palakbhatt3658]

They are so adorable !! I want a tight hug from each one of them !!! 😭😭❤❤

[@Gabeothasicomono]

I love this channel... I want to visit japan so bad, it looks like so much fun.

[@Straw_Hat_Gamer]

:D I'd so go to this with a group of friends! Can't wait for the next video. This should be a TV show :)

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Yes! Lots of people came either in groups or with the family. I went alone but was able to make a ton of friends there! Also a lot of great food stands from all over Japan! Next year's event is in Ehime also in November. -John

[@ProjectxVortex]

love the video as always john.I can't wait to go to japan

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+Project Vortex Thanks! -john

[@IVenturestraveios]

happy new year!!! i really love to watch your vids.. keep it up mr. john.. more power to your channel.. gb

[@SUPERGENKI]

Good one as usual John, keep it up. Happy New Year to you :-) Thomas

[@kasperstenbom]

Just subscribed, there's a lot of videos on the channel I really enjoy! Thanks for sharing :3

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+Kasper Stenbom ∞ [svettasiregn] Glad to hear it! Thank you for subscribing. Need all the support I can get to keep it going :) -john

[@cloudySunsh1ne]

Kumamon reminds me of No Face for some reason!! cute but creepy

[@purpleplush19]

when I go to Japan can I hire you to be my tour guide John?? Hahaha! You're videos are amazing and so addictive! I watched all of them already :)

[@noahhood3825]

I love yura-channn thank you for giving more information about them in this video 🇯🇵

[@autumnstrawberry]

They are very well made :D I've seen Kumamon many times before, but I didn't know that it's the mascot from Kumamoto prefecture until I saw this video. Very informative and great video, I'm a new fan :)

[@Eszra]

I was loving all the mascots and reading their names out loud until I started laughing so hard at 2:38. It's the Scrubbing Bubbles mascot from S.C. Johnson & Son over here in the states! I love it! I hope they got permission to use it! These were so adorable! The Leak Family was funny and of course you had to remember to talk about Kumamon, he has a section to himself in Epcot's Japan section in Orlando along with Rilakkuma and Hello Kitty of course. Nakanon is so CUTE! I want a plush of that cute little fairy so bad! Over here mascots are kind of dumb, they have no personality. Whats worse is that at the last sports game I saw the mascot race was ridged. It's so sad really. I bet if over here they put some cute Mascot on healthy foods or something they would sell a lot more. I heard a good decade ago a company selling strawberry's in Japan slapped a cute girl Mascot on their label and the strawberries began selling like mad, it was in the news and everything. Oh well. Another great video John! Happy New Year! Don't eat to much! The next segment looks very interesting. Something new to learn about!

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+Eszra Haha!! Is it? I've been over here so long!! I am sure they have permission since it's from their Japanese subsidiary. They were passing out free samples and such I believe. I know!! Nakanon is crazy!! I wanted to try to tackle him .. or her .... or it ... but than I'm sure I'd be deported! hahaha John Oliver made a show abotu Japanese Mascots a few months ago on HBO and I think the idea is catching on a little. More imagination! More fun! The Spochan episode really is a lot of fun. Coming up next. Thank you so much for all your nice comments this year Eszra and for being a fan of the show. I really appreciate it very much. Have a fantastic New Year and 2016!! -john

[@Eszra]

WAORYU ONLYinJAPAN Your Welcome and thanks! I'm gonna go look for that John Oliver thing right now!

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+Eszra There's a clip here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHvTZKiIn7VphLM hehehe By the way, the Israeli embassy mascot was at the event but always walking in a different area than me. -john

[@Eszra]

WAORYU ONLYinJAPAN I watched it! The Israeli mascot was so cute!

[@unaanguila]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jtgonzales-ri8yh]

Happy new year john!

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! Happy New Year from Tokyo, Jonathan! Best wishes! -John

[@GiappoGamer]

Great Video!!!! Very funny :)

[@MsAustralopitecus]

loveeee it happy new year John xoxox from Mexico!!

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+Sonia G. Thanks Sonia! Great to hear from you! Best wishes from Tokyo -- HAPPY NEW YEAR!! -john

[@MsAustralopitecus]

Thank you John!!! :3

[@mc.gemstone]

I love these design I got very inspired by them and end up doodling down some ideas of my own just for fun! ^_^

[@FringeShows]

Happy New Year WAORYUTV! Oh that ice cream girl is back...

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Happy New Year! Yes -- AOI IS BACK!! -John

[@iceberg789]

amazing festival !!

[@PSFanatic782]

Love your videos so much and always anxiously await the next episode. Only wish the episodes were a bit longer than the 7-9 minutes and more like 15-20 minutes. :)

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Thanks! Really REALLY appreciate it. To make a 20 minute show, just watch 3 shows in a row ;) -John

[@ChritsianBucic]

super interesting review

[@luz1959]

As usual, John, it is a real pleasure to watch your videos. I wonder if you could prepare one on mythological creatures from Japan: Yokai, Mononoke, Shinigami, and others, which are an important, and very interesting, part of Japanese culture. They are shown in films, manga and anime but it would be interesting to know how Japanese people of different age groups see them nowadays. Thank you for all your efforts to share Japanese culture in your special way. You are the best!!!!

[@Driftin]

love these videos! out Japanese excellence teacher shows us these!

[@mimidesu023]

Oh my gosh, so much cuteness in one place!

[@satory01]

nice video i love u chanel :)

[@The_one_115]

So cute! I'm dying of Overload cuteness! 🤩🤩☠

[@C4nadian]

Dope episode, little less skin than expected for mascots "gone wild" but i'm hardly complaining :P

[@onlyinjapan]

+C4nadian hehehe~ A lot of faux fur and dancing. -john

[@dedemitz]

really loved all of ur video... make me want go to japan... keep it going mate... ganbate... 😉😉😉

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Thanks for that!! Really appreciate the encouragement and please do come to Japan for a visit! You're armed with a lot of ideas now to start an amazing adventure!! -John

[@Darkstar_64]

That frog one scared me a little bit

[@katikyogaming875]

Awesome and Happy New Year

[@onlyinjapan]

+Yukito Pacardz Happy New Year! -john

[@cooperlisa69]

OMG! How cute!!! I would love to see this in person...💗💗💗💗

[@androidgames1927]

Sooo cutee!

[@cm2221]

I'm so happy you did an episode on yuru chara! i feel like i made a comment requesting it at one point but i cant remember. this was so delightful to watch. i hope you had fun there! did you not include funassyi because he's not the official funabashi yuru chara? thanks for always making such fun videos!

[@onlyinjapan]

+genevieve murphy I did receive a few requests for this which is why I made it :) thanks for having an impact on this episode's creation!! Sadly, funassyi was not entered in the Grand Prix this year. Maybe because it would be unfair or because when one wins, they can't be entered again? Kumamon was also not entered. The get "LEGEND" status I believe. THANK YOU!! -john

[@cm2221]

+John Daub thank you so much for the reply! I was just watching travel channel and they were talking about a "ghost bar" in tokyo and you were on it!

[@juliegutowski375]

OMG so cute thanks for the vids i am now going to japan to be an exchange student

[@vanesaloveshogwarts9871]

In general I really like mascots they are my favorite part when it comes to sports games! I like how they look and act because it makes people happy! I love them so much!! I know it must be easy being in a suit in hot weather months so I really appreciate what they do. Thanks for uploading a very informative video.

[@onlyinjapan]

+vanesaloves Japan It's horrible during the summer months in Japan and that is why this event is held in the fall. The newer outfits for profitable companies have little air conditioners in the too :) with these mascots all over the place in Japan, one could say it's the happiest place on earth!! -john

[@mudskipper2234]

Cuteness overload! :D

[@TheCrunchyCow]

Kumamon came to my city and did a show for us! i got a photo with him!

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+TheCrunchyCow Awesome!! I had to film him this time but hope to meet him when I go to Kumamoto next year. -john

[@gewglesux]

such a lovely and fun place to be!!!

[@EvanTomiko]

I like them all!!!