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Kyoto Garbage Fairy Mascot Reminds Residents to Recycle
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
Local mascots come in all shapes and sizes, from the very popular Kumamoto Prefecture's Kumamon and Funabashi's Funassyi, to the less enthused Matsubara City's Matsubara-kun. Usually their purpose is to generate tourism to their respective areas, but Kyoto's recent addition has a more conservative approach. Specifically, environment conservation.
Gomi no Yōsei (lit. "Garbage Fairy") appeared in a recent issue of Kyoto Shimin Shimbun and in Kyoto subway ads. Despite his name, he is by all appearances just a guy in a suit. The ad points out that his questionably-fashionable attire is made from recycled plastic. In the newspaper ad, the character leaps from heaps of garbage to educate a housewife on how to properly sort her trash and recyclables.
Residents who saw the ads seemed critical of the Kyoto Shimin Shimbun and too impressed with the mascot. Messages on Twitter included:
“It's said that it'll be 34℃ tomorrow here in Kyoto, I wonder if Kyoto Shimin Shimbun have lost their minds to the heat.”
“I got home and found that Kyoto Shimin Shimbun has screwed up so badly it needs to be shared… what the… Fairy of the Garbage…”
“From Kyoto Shimin Shimbun. Fairy of the Garbage (LOL)”
“This issue of Kyoto Shimin Shimbun is about reducing garbage but… wtf is this?! Fairy of the Garbage?! And what's with the Dragon Quest-esque text windows…”
“Kyoto City is lost. What on earth is this Fairy of the Garbage that looks like a host from 30 years ago.”
What do you think? Is this mascot too weird or kinda cute?
[Via Rocket News 24]
