Manto-kun
If you were freaked out by Nara’s new mascot, Sento-kun, when he was announced, you might be able to relax a bit. A new challenger has arrived. I haven’t followed it particularly closely, but it was on the front page of the Asahi Shimbun this morning. Here’s some background from No-sword and Global Voices. Our buddies at Tofugu even have their own contest going on to rid the world of Sento-kun. Well, someone beat them to it, at least on the semi-official level.
Newcomer Manto-kun!
AAAGH! Sento-kun!
It’s an improvement, at least. Ha ha. 
I mean, it would take some work to come up with something as hideously creepy as Sento-kun all over again. :: full body shudder ::
on June 3rd, 2008 at 11:47 am
ooh, i like that one much better. Thanks for posting about this, I’ll have to let everyone know over on my end!
on June 3rd, 2008 at 11:51 am
Ah, also, here were our “results,” if you’re interested.
Koichis last blog post was: 6 Reasons Why Kanji is Necessary
on June 3rd, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Thanks, Koichi! (I’m gonna pretty-up the URL in your comment.) One of these days I’ll sign up for Disqus so I can comment over at your blog… Ha ha.
on June 3rd, 2008 at 1:18 pm
[...] to the rockin’ folks at Rocking in Hakata for bringing it to my attention. Check it out! These icons link to social bookmarking sites where [...]
on June 3rd, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Wow. A DEFINITE improvement.
Who ever thought that that HORRID MONSTER OF A BEAST named Sento-kun would ever evoke cries of かわいいいいい from, well, ANYONE!?
Cute little deer like thing with a temple on its head. Thumbs up from Niihama. Where’s the merchandise?!
Nics last blog post was: Journal Gems
on June 3rd, 2008 at 4:45 pm
much better!! Thank goodness they got some sense and changed it.
on June 3rd, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Chuck - I’ll let you know when I know. It’s interesting to think about, actually, since Sento-kun is still the official mascot. I bet the ones who opt to use Manto-kun in defiance will be better off economically. You know, since their products will be cute. Then again, Sento-kun goods could turn into a weird novelty thing, with more and more grotesque versions of him. I wouldn’t be shocked to find someone capitalizing on it. In fact, if I could, I would.
Kathy - you still read this blog!? Ha ha. Yeah, it’s one of those times when the public was soooo right that they couldn’t deny it. I mean, just look at that mangled failure of a mascot. Ugh. What were they thinking?
on June 3rd, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I like the name, Manto-kun. まんとis 万人in Kanji, which normally reads bannin and means all people. Also Mantle is マント in Japanese. He is wearing a white mantle now. It’s said that from season to season he is going to wear a patterned mantle related to Nara.
Mayumis last blog post was: #44-20080424-Osaka dialect, expressing people
on June 3rd, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Mayumi - I think we say “cloak” or “cape” more than mantle. In fact, if you look up “mantle” in my dictionary here, it only gives the definition for mantle (also mantel) as “a mantelpiece, a mantelshelf.” I think it’s マントルピース in Japanese. I think it comes from manteau in French. I know the meaning you used as well, of course. I just think it’s not too common anymore. Maybe in phrases like “pass the mantle” and “assume the mantle” to discuss generational responsibility or representation for something…
But that’s far more boring than your comment about the colors! That could be fun! But they can’t make it anything that will clash with his current goldenrod color.
on June 3rd, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I agree it is much cuter, and much less scary. I still don’t know what they were thinking when they came up with the original…
Carlies last blog post was: Densha Otoko - Movie - Trailer
on June 3rd, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Hi Deas san, surfing on some sites and reached your blog and had fun reading your article about Manto-kun. It is fun to know Japanese culture through someone’s view who grew up in other country. I can easily tell that you are a good English teacher just by reading your response to Mayumi san. I will come back to read your post again and look forward to reading stuff more about your life in Hakata (is that where you live now?) and some findings that you have as a Gaikokujin in your daily life
on June 4th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Booyah! With the followup article on me blog!
claytonians last blog post was: Sento-kun waits
on June 4th, 2008 at 1:22 am
I still say the whole mascot “thing-growing-from-head” concept originated on The Flintstones in the 1960’s in the US.
on June 4th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Frente - welcome to my blog, and thanks for the kinds words! I appreciate that you took the time to comment. Feel free to drop by anytime.
Clay - that is a wicked cool rendering of a scary Sento-kun. It reminds me of Cthulhu-type Lovecraftian things (with the waiting and all), as well as Norse woodblock printing or something. It’s very troll-like. I don’t know. It rocks.
Mark - I never thought to compare Sento-kun with the Great Gazoo from the Flintstones. (He’s considered the show’s downfall by a lot of people, by the way.) But you’re right - they do resemble one another. Who do you think would win in a fight? Also - I’m going to pretty-up your link.
on June 4th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
[...] [via Rocking in Hakata] [...]
on June 4th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Thanks for your kind explanation of the word, mantle, Deas.
Those “pass the mantle” and “assume the mantle” are interesting phrases. They are kind of like “たすきを渡す” in Japanese.
Mayumis last blog post was: #44-20080424-Osaka dialect, expressing people
on June 6th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Mayumi - I love that expression! Thanks for teaching it to me.