The mascot, named Tsunny, in its juvenile and mature state holding the official logo for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Depicted in 2D, made with Adobe Illustrator. Animations will play an important role in the development and understanding of the character. Animations will be created, drawn in the style of typical popular anime, to explain the prefacing story of the mascots to the general public, specifically children. Additionally, and also crucially, the animations will show the evolution from the juvenile form to the mature form, similar to the way Pokemon would evolve. This will clarify that the character is the same being, though in two different stages of its life. Finally, the animations will be the first step in making the mascots personified and relatable to the public.
The mascot, named Tsunny, depicted in 3D. Made with Autodesk Maya. Due to the varied proportions of the mascot, a traditional mascot costume will be unnecessary and inappropriate. Instead, holograms could be modeled after the 3D renders to project the mascot in its 3D animated form interacting with the athletes and audience. Similar technology has been used in Japan previously, and has become increasingly popular at events such as vocaloid concerts.
Kigurumi Mockup, made in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. The Kigirumi is one of the most crucial part of the wearable mascot campaign for 2020 Tokyo. These onesie pajamas (in this case short-sleeved summer kigurumis, so that they may be worn in the summer) will be created to look like the mascot in its juvenile form. The hoods will have the mascot’s face on them, allowing spectators of the games, whether they be from Tokyo or from around the world, to walk around dressed as the mascots. Even more importantly, this will eliminate the need for clunky, heavy traditional mascot suits. Kigurumis will allow people to represent the games themselves and will reflect how the mascot represents the people who attend the Olympic games.
The kigurumis will all be the same color, neutral gray like the mascot, with five different colored tails (red, yellow, green, blue, and purple). They will feature a sakura blossom (original or adapted) from the logo on the chest. They will all be short sleeved, and will feature pockets and a hood.
In the past, mascots were seen briefly depicted as large-headed, clunky, and obnoxious. However, the use for traditional mascot costumes will become nearly obsolete with the creation of the kigurumis.
Stamps, made in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop will be created and circulated during the 2020 Olympic games. Different variations of these stamps will exist, with different possible backgrounds and colors.
The clothing adorned with the Olympic mascots will play an impactful role in reaching a wide audience. Certainly, there will be t-shirts, hats, and jackets available for the general public. Additionally, there will also sweat bands, sports bras, and spandex featuring the cute characters for the athletes to wear. Most (if not all) of the clothing produced would be black to compensate for the missing black of the Olympic rings.
Toys will be created for the games as well. The toys will be limited to exact representations of the mascot. The juvenile form will exclusively be recreated as a soft, stuffed plush toy, while the mature form will exclusively be created as plastic figures with moveable joints in a variety of sizes. They toys will always be made in color. The stuffed plush toys will be a soft felt or cotton blend, stuffed with cotton. The plastic toys will be painted with a variety of textures: matte for the fur on the head and paws, gloss for the tails, metallic for the body.
Process Image: Creation of the 3D forms in Autodesk Maya
Process Image: Sketching and ideation.
Process Image: Neoteny, or juvenilization, is the retention of immature characteristics in an adult specimen. This form of paedomorphism shows a delay in the development of an organism.
Physical representations of juvenile characteristics in adults deal mostly with proportions. Typically, a large head (proportionally to the body) signifies and immature organism. The amount of times the head (by size) will fit within the organism’s body dictates the proportions.
This characteristic is greatly reflected in Japan’s popular Kawaii culture. Now one of the most popular aesthetics, Kawaii deals with all that relates to small, young, and cute. Many characters considered to be Kawaii will have a large head with large, sparkling eyes, blank or aimless expressions, a small mouth, blushing cheeks, a small body, and other forms of cute embellishments such as pastel colors, fluffiness, bows, etc. Japanese Kawaii aesthetics not only praises the juvenile physically, but also mentally; the ideal in Kawaii culture is innocence and a child-like disposition. Kawaii has bled into many aspects of Japanese living, such as Lolita fashion style that has grown in popularity.
Kawaii has expanded itself into merchandise, clothing, television, games, branding, and advertising; Kawaii is not only incredibly popular but very lucrative.
Process Image: Historical and Cultural References and Inspiration
Kitsune, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) of Japan, is a recurring figure throughout Japanese history, folklore, and culture. In folklore, they are described as intelligent and magical beings with mystical powers, such as the ability to take human form. As their age increases, so do their powers and wisdom. Their age is depicted through their many tails; for every century the kitsune lives, it gains another tail, up to nine in total. It is said that, once the kitsune spirit gains its ninth tale, its gur becomes white or gold, and they gain infinite wisdom (omniscience). Some kitsune spirits were messangers of the Inari Gods, the dieties of food. The fox spirit is also known to ward off the Kimon, or evil and demonic, influences. Traditionally, masks are made to honor these pure spirits; they are typically white and painted with red markings.
Foxes have progressed from traditional Japanese folklore into popular culture through different media. The internationally popular video game and television show Pokemon features a kitsune Pokemon called Vulpix, which evolves into the Pokemon Ninetails. Other popular games, such as Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda, as well as prominent manga and anime series such as Naruto and InuYasha, feature Kitsune characters.
Japanese Robotics are one of the most advanced technological fields in the world. A variety of robots have been developed in Japan, including humanoid robots, androids, animal (four legged) robots, social robots, guard robots, mobility robots, rescue robots, and many more.
Several robots have been developed that have surpassed their predecessors exponentially. The engineers of Japan have developed robots that can recognize touch, follow objects with animatronic eyes, emote through facial expressions, and advanced mobility compared to other robots.
A specific aesthetic has emerged as a result of the development of these robots. Though some robots were created with skin-mimicking rubbery textures, many of them retain a segmented body form and several metallic aspects. It is these characteristics that make them distinct and somewhat retro-futuristic. These visual choices depict a distinct appearance that designates these creations as robots as opposed to any other machine.
