Design a YURU-CHARA* mascot challenge

Inspired by Japan’s yuru-chara, a term for mascots in Japan, Wellington Sakai Association is calling for designs for the associations’ own yuru-chara. The yuru-chara designed by you will become a friendly face of the association, used to promote it, as well as promoting Wellington’s sister city relationship with Sakai.

All entries for designs will be exhibited at the Wellington Japan Festival in March 2021. There will be a winner for each category, one of which will be chose for the mascot. Winners will be announced at the prize-giving, held at the festival main stage!

Entries are now closed.

Who can apply?

Anyone who lives in the greater Wellington region

The yuru-chara challenge includes three categories:

  1. Youth (16-years-old or younger)

  2. Professional (professional or qualified designers, people working in the creative industry)

  3. Open (anyone 16+ years old and not a professional)

How to apply

Step 1: Design a yuru-chara

It should:

  • Be approachable, friendly and endearing

  • Have a name, face, arms and legs

  • Be something that reminds people of Wellington

  • In JPG or PDF file format. We accept entries that are on paper and digitally drawn. The paper ones need to be scanned or photographed.

Step 2: CLick the entry form below.

Entries Are now closed.

Prizes include

  • Gordon Harris vouchers

  • Dinner vouchers to Tatsushi

  • T-Shirt with winning design

  • Hands-on udon workshop

  • Also includes a free membership to the Wellington Sakai Association and an invite to the mascot arrival party (date TBD)

 If you have any questions please contact us at events@wellingtonsakai.org

*What is yuru-chara?

Yuru-chara is a Japanese term for a category of mascot character: usually created to promote a place or region, event, organisation or business. They are characterised by their kawaii (cute) and unsophisticated designs. They often incorporate motifs that represent local culture, history or produce.

They may be created by local government or other organisations to stimulate tourism and economic development. Or they may be created by a company to build their corporate identity. They may appear as costumed characters (kigurumi) at promotional events and festivals.

Yuru-chara has become a popular and lucrative business, with character sales reaching nearly $16 billion in Japan in 2012. Popular yuru-chara have gained international recognition and have reached celebrity status in Japan (source: Wikipedia)