Note: This website was automatically translated, so some terms or nuances may not be completely accurate.
Selected by elementary school students nationwide! Tokyo 2020 Games Mascot Candidate Designs Announced
On December 7, the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee held a presentation for the final mascot candidates for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games at Kakezuka Elementary School in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo.
After accepting public submissions in August, the mascot designs underwent a judging process, narrowing down to the three final candidates announced this time. Elementary school students nationwide will vote on these three designs by class, determining the final design.
Ryohei Miyata, chair of the mascot selection committee (Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs), stated, "After nearly a year of work, the day has come to present the candidate designs to everyone," and showed a video introducing the selection process. He revealed that the open call for designs received 2,042 submissions from a wide range of generations, spanning ages 10 to 80. Shoko Nakagawa, a member of the review committee and a talent, couldn't hide her excitement, saying, "I'm nervous as we reach the moment of announcement."
During the presentation, Nakagawa and 116 fourth and fifth graders from the elementary school gathered in the gymnasium counted down energetically. With the shout of "Open!", the three candidate designs (a pair consisting of the Olympic mascot and Paralympic mascot) were unveiled for the first time.
The candidate designs featured adorable concepts, including one expressing a near-future worldview and others based on shrine guardian dogs (komainu) and tanuki. The children shared their impressions: "They look like siblings," "The victory pose is perfect," and "Their smiles are so gentle," already showing eagerness to vote.
Chairperson Miyata declared, "You decide the mascots!" while Nakagawa urged, "As a mascot powerhouse, Japan is watched by the world. Choose the gold medalist from these designs."
Voting from elementary school students will be accepted until February 22, 2018, with the winning design announced on February 28. Naming will follow, with the official announcement scheduled for July or August. The mascot will be developed into anime and mascots, serving as a symbol for the Games.
Touchable 3D models will also be available.
Mascot Official Website: https://tokyo2020.jp/jp/special/mascot/
Was this article helpful?
Share this article
