Nara Actually gets a new Mascot, kinda-sorta

Remember back in the day when Nara’s new mascot was supposed to be the creepy baby deer man (sounds similar to manbearpig, yeah?) shown crossed out above? Well, it seems as though the public outcry was strong enough, and Nara will be getting a much more attractive mascot called “Manto-Kun.” Definitely an improvement, though, you could put poop on a stick and it would still be better.

Apparently there was a contest that decided this (our contest was first, though!), and although the creepy baby mascot will still be the “official” mascot, the one chosen on this site will be used by everyone anyways. Here’s all the ex-potentials. Obviously the one above was the one that was chosen.

#3: Really reminding me of Kirby. You know how he does that pose on Super Smash? Isn’t that the same pose??
#5: Looks like the dog is about to pee on that temple
#6: Everyone loves plaid
#7: Pretty diggin’. Looks kind of like our tofugu, actually.
#10: I didn’t even know there was a Red Robin restaurant in Japan…
#16: What’s up with the green rock?
#17: Creepy backwards head turtle?
#22: Super Mario Deer?
#27: “I’m gonna beat you up, kid”
#20 & 21: Look awfully similar…

So there you have it, number 8, as you know, was chosen as the new “unofficial” Nara 1300th anniversary mascot. I like that one a lot, though I suppose #7 was pretty sweet as well. Really, all of these are a vast improvement over creepy baby dude.

Thanks to the rockin’ folks at Rocking in Hakata for bringing it to my attention. Check it out!

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  • Much obliged!
  • Chimiko
    Is it just me, or does #20 look familiar.. like the mascots for Beijing 2008?
  • haha, kind of, yeah?
  • You be quiet, I like Mato-kun. Especially his roof head. #3 is pretty cute, too.

    Btw, isn't #33 just Spheal (it took me forever to look that up) with horns and hooves?
  • hey, i liked manto!
    and I think you meant #23, but yeah, very similar.
    I guess you can only have so many round, undetailed, cute mascots before they start overlapping
  • Oops, I misread. Also, I meant that #25 is the Spheal clone. Check it out.
  • WOTDsctoo
    YES! #25 is in the perfect pose too.
    <3 Spheal.

    Also, does anyone know why several of these are chicken/bird themed? I thought it was all about the deer...
  • Fredy
    Spheal... #363...
    I only remember the first 150...
    The Johto ones were cool too...
    After that I was just like ... "oh God... it's not gonna end..."
    Then I stopped. haha.
    I may look them up one day if I get bored!
  • WOTDsctoo
    ...More like...
    "Thank God, it's never going to end!"
    --Er, ahem, I mean, yea yea. What's a spheal anyway...?
    :P
  • I'm guessing they're supposed to be phoenixes, and those are always good luck, right?
  • WOTDsctoo
    Hmmm, that makes sense. 4 and 19 definately look like roosters to me though...good thing they didn't win, eh?
  • Pete
    Number 7 is by far the best. The winner looks kinda fruity with that 'Speed Racer' scarf on...
  • All of them are much better than the original. I like number seven as well, very cute!
  • fredy
    Haha. I thought the exact thing about #7! haha. I was like "HEY! That looks like..."
    3, 7, 8, and 23 are cool in my book.
    Japan... tomorrow!!!
  • Fredy
    Bah that's me... :\
  • don't forget to take pictures and upload them to tofugu's flickr group :)
    oh, and have lots of fun, hehe.
  • None of these mascots will inspire fear in your rivals! Except #16. I don't know why but Blushing Bug-kun and Green Circle with Crown-san are scary as hell.
  • mmnessa
    #17 is a freakin turtle!! Oh man, that's so awesome I don't know how they could have chosen #8 when they had #17 as a rival.
  • St
    Number 7 would definitely have been the best choice. If you get bored with him you can gently remove his hantlers can use him as a 碁盤: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d...
  • I would vote for 25. Maybe because he looks like a pokemon..... even thou 23 looks like pikachu lol.
  • emiko
    All of the deer are so cute! i wonder why they didn't win
  • Eevee
    I think #7 would've been a good choice, too.

    Don't #12 and #13 look like a couple? ^-^ Matching hats too!
  • Kitam
    alot of those look creepy
  • i totally agree...
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