Latest news with #Myaku-Myaku
The Mainichi
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Osaka Expo mascot 'Myaku-Myaku' now popular with visitors
OSAKA -- The official mascot of Expo 2025 in Osaka has become very popular. At first, many people did not like its strange look. Now, visitors often take pictures with the mascot. The mascot's name is "Myaku-Myaku." It is a mysterious character made of cells and water. Myaku-Myaku is everywhere at the event. There is even a special "Myaku-Myaku House" where people can meet a moving Myaku-Myaku. At the Expo, there are also Myaku-Myaku designs on manhole covers, playgrounds, and statues, using its red and blue colors. No one knows exactly what Myaku-Myaku really is. Its form changes often, and right now it looks like a human. People like it because it is strange and interesting. Inside Myaku-Myaku House, one visitor wrote, "I am sorry I first said you looked scary. I really like you now." A 25-year-old Osaka woman said, "I didn't like the mascot at first. But when I saw it moving, I became a fan." Another visitor, 55, from Kobe said, "At first, I wasn't sure about it. But now I think it's cute. I'm not sure why!" Many visitors now enjoy seeing Myaku-Myaku in person. The Osaka Expo will continue for six months. Organizers think about 28 million people will visit. Myaku-Myaku likes meeting people. Maybe the mascot can bring even more visitors to the event. (Japanese original by Takehiko Onishi, Osaka Photo and Video Department) Vocabulary mascot: a character or animal used to represent an event or group mysterious: strange, hard to understand cells: very small parts that all living things are made of manhole cover: a round metal cover on roads that leads under the ground organizer: a person or group that plans an event
The Mainichi
6 days ago
- The Mainichi
The Mainichi News Quiz Answer for May 29
Why did visitors start bringing plush toys to the Baltic Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai? A) To celebrate the pavilion's opening day B) To commemorate a national holiday in Latvia and Lithuania C) In response to the theft of an official mascot plush toy D) Because pavilion staff requested toy donations for charity Correct Answer: C) In response to the theft of an official mascot plush toy Visitors began donating plush toys and origami versions of the official expo mascot, Myaku-Myaku, after one was stolen from the Baltic Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, in mid-May. Pavilion guide Ieva Miciuliene expressed warm surprise at the generous response from visitors, transforming the pavilion into a popular photo spot with around 90 Myaku-Myaku figures now displayed.
The Mainichi
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Mascots from around the world a huge hit at Osaka Expo
OSAKA -- Unique mascot characters from various countries are proving to be a big hit at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. Many pavilions offer scheduled photo opportunities with their mascots, who shake hands and give hugs to fans. The characters are working hard to appeal to visitors in Japan, where the culture of "yuru-chara" or laid-back characters, has taken root. At the center of a crowd in front of the Germany Pavilion was Circular, a round-shaped mascot. Its soft and bouncy texture makes it especially endearing. The theme of the Germany Pavilion is the circular economy, and the mascot was inspired by Japan's "kawaii culture." A woman visiting from the city of Osaka said, "I'm happy they understand Japanese culture." At the Czechia Pavilion, visitors were greeted by Rene, a multi-eyed character and a friend of the event's official mascot, Myaku-Myaku. Possibly due to its slightly eccentric design, many people were seen taking photos from a distance. Over at the Singapore Pavilion, people were welcomed by Merli, the mascot of the Singapore Tourism Board. A spokesperson explained, "He's a boy character inspired by Merlion, which is also well known in Japan. He appears in front of the pavilion three times a day." When asked about the Canada Pavilion's mascot Parka, a staff member explained, "You can only meet her on special days." That rarity seems to be part of the appeal. After spending about four hours exploring the venue, this Mainichi Shimbun reporter spotted four mascots in total, including Myaku-Myaku. Since each pavilion generally has set appearance times for these characters, visitors are recommended to check ahead and plan if they want to meet them. (Japanese original by Takehiko Onishi, Osaka Photo and Video Department)
The Mainichi
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Many Osaka Expo mascot toys donated to Baltic Pavilion after theft
OSAKA -- The Baltic Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai has become a new photo hot spot, with visitors giving the site official expo mascot plush toys and other items after the theft of one from the pavilion in mid-May. About 90 Myaku-Myaku figures are now lined up at a counter at the pavilion, where Latvia and Lithuania are jointly exhibiting. Since the expo's opening, one Myaku-Myaku plush toy had been displayed at the pavilion's counter alongside the pavilion's mushroom-themed mascot, "Barabi-chan," but it suddenly disappeared on May 13. Security cameras revealed that one of two individuals, believed to be women, placed the toy into a bag. Pavilion guide Ieva Miciuliene, 31, recalled, saying, "I thought Japan was a safe place, so I was shocked." After talks on the issue, Lithuanian Ambassador to Japan Aurelijus Zykas announced the incident on X (formerly Twitter) on May 16, making national news and sparking widespread interest. Unexpectedly, from May 17 onward, Myaku-Myaku plush toys began arriving at the pavilion, reaching a total of 87 as of May 23. "Children handed us origami Myaku-Myaku, and one person traveled all the way from Okayama just to deliver a Myaku-Myaku plush toy. I was touched by the kindness of the Japanese people," Miciuliene said with a smile. Now, a large number of Myaku-Myaku plush toys, including ones dressed in the pavilion guide uniform and a handmade crocheted version, surround the Barabi-chan figure, delighting visitors. The situation surrounding the pavilion has changed significantly since the incident, and Miciuliene is amazed at how it has become a "special pavilion." She added, "It has now become a new photo spot. I am filled with gratitude for the heartfelt support from the Japanese people."
The Mainichi
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Once received with mixed reactions, Osaka Expo's Myaku-Myaku mascot charms visitors
OSAKA -- The official mascot of the World Exposition underway in Osaka, which initially sparked mixed reactions, has now become one of the main attractions a month and a half after the event kicked off. Myaku-Myaku, described as "a mysterious creature born from the fusion of cells and water," is featured throughout the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai venue. Visitors crowd around the character's statue to take pictures with it, or line up to enter "Myaku-Myaku House," where a moving Myaku-Myaku welcomes its fans. At the Expo venue in Osaka's Konohana Ward, one can also find manhole covers in a Myaku-Myaku design as well as playground equipment and monuments in the beloved character's colors -- red and blue. According to the Expo's website, Myaku-Myaku's "true identity remains unknown" and it "appears to be transforming into various forms in search of who it wants to be, and its current form mimics humans." Perhaps its mysteriousness and shape-shifting nature is part of its charm. On the message board at Myaku-Myaku House was a comment that read, "I'm sorry I said you looked terrifying when I first saw you. I like you a lot now." A 25-year-old Osaka woman who took pictures with the mascot told the Mainichi Shimbun, "I initially thought, 'Why did this get picked?' but I've become a fan after seeing it move." A visitor, 55, from Kobe's Nagata Ward said, "I was initially a bit skeptical, but it turned out to be kind of adorable, though I can't explain how." It appears many of the visitors changed their opinion for the better about the mysterious mascot after actually seeing it. The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition expects 28.2 million visitors over the six-month duration of the event. That averages about 150,000 people per day -- undoubtedly not an easy target. The website says Myaku-Myaku's favorite thing to do is "interacting with all kinds of living beings and things." If Myaku-Myaku can meet many people and steadily gain more fans, that visitor number goal may not be so far out of reach. (Japanese original by Takehiko Onishi, Osaka Photo and Video Department)
