Japanese Mascots
A five minute cultural lesson that might give you
an idea for your startup - it did for me!
by Yongfook
www.yongfook.com

Japan has a reputation for Cute
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuteness_in_Japanese_culture

Mona from 2ch.net
http://2ch.net

Amoeba from ameba.jp
http://ameba.jp

Bear from so-net.ne.jp
http://postpet4you.jp

Various from nico-nico-douga
http://nicovideo.jp

Pichon-kun from Daikin
http://www.daikin.co.jp/pichon/index.html?ID=daikintop_tpx

Yume Lion from Tokyo MX
http://www.mxtv.co.jp/

Gnome from Lolipop
http://lolipop.jp

Various from the police force
Fukui Chiba Tokyo Yamanashi
Prefecture Prefecture Metropolitan Prefecture
http://homepage3.nifty.com/chara_town/Police_Chara-Dept/
newpage2.htm

Why mascots?
Lowers level of intimidation
Gives product a “face”, facilitates
conversations
Makes product development more
enjoyable
Can sell merchandise if the actual
business goes horribly wrong
...and more

Entirely unscientific example:
Gave the product creative direction
Made it more fun to create
Started more conversations
Increased signups
Also, “Rippl3” was just a dumb name

Entirely unscientific example:
2000
1500
1000
500
0
February March April May
Signups

My name is Yongfook.
I make web-based software.
www.yongfook.com
@yongfook
This presentation is available at:
http://www.slideshare.net/yongfook
Measure and increase sales from social media:
http://www.peashootapp.com
lols is teh new srs.