Today it was announced that Tokyo will host the Olympic Summer games in 2020, but as with any host of these games, you need a mascot to promote it, so here are ten of the most popular characters in anime culture, we'll be seeing their pros, cons & odds and at the end you can either give your opinion on which one you would like to see or recommend one I haven't mentioned, so let us begin.
This is not a top 10 rather just a pick from 10 characters.
1. Doraemon
The time traveling robot cat is Japan's national cartoon and has more images in Japan than any other character and was already Tokyo's Olympic ambassador for the bid.
While he does have appeal in some countries it may shock you that Doraemon has never ever been translated into English and likely never will, taking away a sizable chuck out of it's international appeal.
Odds: 5-1
2. Totoro
Of all of Miyazaki's creations, Totoro is the most well known, with plenty of heritage behind the story, and a very appealing design.
But how do you adapt Totoro to sport? I can't see it personally.
Odds: 20-1
3. Anpanman
Another long running character in Japanese anime, Anpanman translates as Breadman, a superhero designed to fight off evil bacteria and always there to feed people his head when they need it the most.
While he promotes healthy eating and the importance of staying healthy he has practically no international appeal having gone no further than the Arab nations, India and the other oriental nations in it's international release.
Odds: 20-1
4. Pretty Cure
The long running magical girl series could easily adapt the colorful Olympic rings for a new series and give us a sports theme for it's series.
As much as people would disagree, Pretty Cure is still a girls anime and there's no guarantee that it will still be running in 2020.
Odds: 70-1
5. Son Goku
Son Goku of Dragonballz fame is no stranger to being in the spotlight and has been an ambassador for other things in Japan, and being a physically active hero has appeal.
But you have to wonder how much longer Akira Toriyama will be persuaded to keep lending out Goku for more adventures and in my opinion using him is a massive cliche.
Odds: 40-1
6. Monkey D Luffy
Vast becoming Goku's replacement as the head honcho of Shonen Jump, Monkey D Luffy has already got theme parks and restaurants in his anime's name and will likely still be around in 2020.
But there is a 100% guarantee you'll never hear the end of the flame wars if he gets in especially with Naruto & Goku as other Shonen Jump characters.
Odds: 70-1
7. Sazae-San
Sazae-San just recently became the world record holder for longest running animated series spanning a massive 45 years with the character itself being around for nearly 60 years, old enough to be around for Tokyo's last Olympic games.
Sazae-San is a Japan only product with no international appeal and while it does promote great family values, it has no other appeal to speak of and certainly not for an Olympic games, besides the mid 20s Sazae-San character looks like a Japanese Olive Oil from Popeye.
Odds: 45-1
8. Konata Izumi
Lucky Star's favorite Otaku Konata Izumi is a natural athlete in Lucky Star, making her the most qualified and with portable shrines to Lucky Star in Japan, there's no worry of not having enough appeal.
But is it really enough? With no new series of Lucky Star to work with and other candidates on this list having better heritage, it maybe too much of an outside bet.
Odds: 100-1
9. Pikachu
The electric yellow mouse has been a staple of the Pokemon universe since day one and has massive international appeal, more so than Japan's most popular animated characters.
But the big question remains, do we only use Pikachu or do we bring in the other Pokemon as well?
Odds: 10-1
10. Hatsune Miku
Olympic Miku has a nice ring to it, having already promoted motor racing teams, it would be the easiest transition to make for the virtual idol and is already fast gaining international appeal.
But Miku has never had her own show, whether that will change in the seven years between now and the games we'll just have to see.
Odds: 10-1
Bonus: Original character designed for the games.
It's the easiest thing to do for the creative Japanese, but with so many well made characters it would be a waste not to use them.
Odds: 2-1
I have now earned myself the title of "Master of Lists" so I shall present to you another top ten list going into more obscure territory with Top 10 Flawed Species. Rules this time cannot include human evolutions such as Newtypes or clones or mutant creations; human shape aliens are allowed. Lets begin.
10. Sea Kings from One Piece
They look impressive and show off the potential of Eichiro Oda's creative mind but their role in the series are often background art or as punching bags for the pirates.
9. Living Weapons from Soul Eater & Elemental Gelade
One lot act as a Deathscythe for humans the other act as special jewel weapons for humans but both sets are only as powerful as it's wielder, however if said weapon remains unused for so long you get this.
Yeah you wouldn't want Excalibur.
8. All Sea Life from Mermaid Melody Pichi pfft pfft *Gargles water* Pichi Pitch
So how do these Mermaids fight? They sing pop songs. How do enemy Mercreatures fight? They sing pop songs. The main mascot companion character is a penguin in a sailor suit, I wouldn't want any of these mermaids defending my seas from danger.
7. Elves from Those Who Hunt Elves
In an attempt to defeat an evil being, Celsia accidentally summons three humans and a tank into the Elf World and in an attempt to send them back, screws up the spell and it ends up tattooed to sexy elf women but then it's revealed that the original spell is merging the Elf World & Human World. So through constant screwing up you've doomed our world as opposed to your own world. *Claps* Well done.
6. Echidnas from Sonic X
Seeing as Sonic X follows the Sonic Adventure plot line it makes sense to put Echidnas on this list. In a silly attempt to seize power from the Emeralds, the Echidnas get destroyed by the water monster Chaos, after a few other incidents, Knuckles ends up the last Echidna and ends up playing guard duty to the Master Emerald. Other versions make things more clear but in Anime land we've only got this to work with.
5. Porvoras from King of Bandits Jing
A cute little fuzzy creature that looks like it would sell lots of toys ends up exploding in spectacular fashion when aggravated or hurt. Makes it all the more tragic when you see them get used as dynamite.
4. Digimon from Digimon
I did some research on this and found that the Digital World can't seem to function without human help. The three main Digimon types are Data, Vaccine & Virus but whoever made the Digital World was as lazy as Microsoft were when releasing Windows Vista. It's biggest flaw is the fact that the Viruses always take control of the World and needs humans to destroy them much like we do with Anti-Virus software....I totally just exposed the whole plot of Digimon.
3. Saiyans from Dragonballz
The great warrior race are often judged as primitive and if you look at their origins you'd be right. Strangely enough, if not for Goku having trained on Earth as a Martial Artist, Vegeta would never have gotten to Super Saiyan level, as the main factors of a Saiyan getting stronger are Moonlight and being beaten to death but mostly being beaten to death. It never occurred to them that you can train to get stronger.
2. Vanillite & Evolutions from Pokemon
It's a Pokemon in a shape of an ice cream. I've got nothing, although an interesting question to blow your mind for you.
If you're a Vegetarian and you eat a plant Pokemon, would you still be a Vegetarian?
1. Magical Creatures from Pretty Cure
Tell me if you've heard this plot before. Magical Creature from another world arrives in our world followed by a monster who has conquered said world, the little creature needs your help and the young girl who finds you agrees to this; in doing so you transform her into a Magical Girl complete with Magical Item, poofy dress and impossible hair. You then fight a bunch of monsters for 50 episodes, sometimes with a few other girls, you then defeat the big boss and then the Magical Creatures leave and depending on the series, wipes the girl's memory clean so as not to give her several years of psychiatry well into Adulthood. I'm starting to think Kyubey was being nice compared to other Magical Creatures.
