Playing “Kumamon” instead of “Kumamon” in Taiwan, it will be fun to walk around the city – GIGAZINE
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Born in Kumamoto Prefecture, one of Japan’s representative mascots”KumamonI tried using “Kumamon” for “powder mon” and “bakamon” instead of “…”. There are Kumamon bears in Taiwan, but there are many other bears that appear very frequently, arguably too frequently.
Hello,Saito Takuya cycling around the world @Charidermanyes. I have visited Taiwan in 2015 and 2016. Taiwanese love the role of bear very much. As I wandered the city, characters using bears jumped out at me everywhere.
◆ “If you see Kumamon, you will die.”
In late February 2016, the tweet became a trending topic.
When my acquaintances come to Kumamoto, I tell them, “If you see a Kumamon, you will die! It’s so exciting!” Usually, the next day, I’ll be slapped hard on the shoulder and say, “I Already dead at this ridiculous airport.”
— Eight Gates (@kimonkinsa)
Based on this, when I headed to Kumamoto, the tension was clearly heightened. You can read about it in the article below.
Here’s what you get if you play the “Kumamon die game” while traveling in Kumamoto – GIGAZINE
The response to this post has been great, and as I mentioned before, the bears in Taiwan are amazing.
◆Taiwanese and bear
The Taiwanese black bear lives in the mountains of central Taiwan. The bear with a V-shaped mark on its chest is a representative animal of Taiwan. As a result, if you walk in the city, the bear character will come out whether you like it or not.
I wrote an article like this when I went to Taiwan in 2015.
“Signs”, “bears”, “toilets” etc. to pay attention to in Taiwan – GIGAZINE
Kaohsiung Bear is located in Kaohsiung City in southern Taiwan.
The “ThanQ” bear character of Pacific Sogo Department Store, Taiwan’s premier department store.
Xiong is a character(?) in Taiwanese comics.
◆City walk
I know that bears are synonymous with Taiwan, so when I traveled to Taiwan in 2016, I found bears on the street and took pictures of them.
The two animals “Zhao” and “Xiaohua” promoting the lunch at Taiwan Railway Station. Characters designed by the Japanese.
The mascot of OK Mart, the fourth largest convenience store in Taiwan, is also a bear.
This is a handicraft store. The little brat blinked and stuck out her tongue, showing off her charms.
On the signboard of the souvenir shop.
The mascot of a tire manufacturer called Seishinrintai is also a bear. Overseas, the company is known for its brand MAXXIS. The “bear paw” effect.
A restaurant called Bear Market.
This is also a restaurant.
Cafeteria drink bar
Also at the entrance to the game center.
Mr. Nikoniko also played the claw machine game in the house.
Children’s clothing store.
There is a comic cafe in Taiwan, and the sign at the entrance is also a bear and a bear.
There is also a bear face in the coin laundry. This “Kumahokai” (treasure is an ancient word for treasure) is the kanji symbol for Fafa, which is famous for its fabric softener.
Green Bear is also a kitchen furniture brand.
We are also responsible for picking you up at the hotel door.
Parent and child are sleeping peacefully. The pup’s squashed cheeks are too cute.
It was also used as a promotional poster for the “Taipei 2016 World Post Exhibition”, an exhibition of postage stamps from around the world.
Lipton, famous for its tea, is running an outdoor promotion where I also spotted a big stuffed bear.
As I was walking along a recreational path, I saw a stuffed bear in a stroller, probably drying in the sun. It’s just a scene from everyday life, but I like it because it’s very Taiwanese.
◆The famous bear character
As a result, the word bear in Taiwan is flooded. Among them, it is these bear figures who are doing remarkable activities.
・V Bear
The mascot of LCC Weiyun (V Airlines) operated by TransAsia Airlines (TransAsia Airlines) in Taiwan is also the bear character “V Bear”. Features a chevron on the chest, a double peace sign on the hands, and an adorable heart-shaped nose.
It is also painted on buildings in Taipei City.
I used it when flying from Chiang Mai, Thailand to Taipei, Taiwan, and it also showed up in the check-in notification.
It can also be used as a lunch box for in-flight meals. I run a business full of personality.
However, this V Air ended up in business due to poor management. At the same time, parent company Rebuild Airlines was also disbanded due to poor performance. How will V Bear be treated?
・Oh! Bear
This “Oh! Bear” is a public relations figure for Taiwan tourism. He is currently the leader of the Super Research Group of the Tourism Administration. I am stationed in the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Communications of the Republic of China, and I am a bear role recognized by the government.
オーベアニュース 【Oh Bear Oh Bear】Tourist Bureau Super Task Team Leader
http://ohbear.taiwan.net.tw/ja/
A squinting face.
Notifications for travel apps.
Cycling illustration.
・Bearing Bravo
The mascot of the Taipei World University Games held in August 2017 was also bear-themed. We are running a campaign to liven up the game with costumes like the Japanese Kumamon.
Announcement from Taipei Universiade Metro Station.
weightlifting.
I also decorated the cover of a travel brochure.
I also wrote an article about this Bear Bravo.
The “Bear Bravo” promoting the 2017 Taipei Universiade is so cute- GIGAZINE
This prompted me to follow Kuma San Bravo’s Facebook page, and when I saw the post below, I laughed.
The reporter asks the little girl, “Which bear do you like?” Bravo and a bear call out “It’s me, it’s me.” Even so, the girl replied innocently, “Kumamon~ (Kumamon~)”. Bear Bravo and Bear make the silent sound of “OOXX”. The hashtags “#kidscan’t lie” and “#Kuma, we have to keep trying” also laughed.
・Kumamon
This is why Taiwanese love Kumamon bears. Chinese characters are called in two ways: “ku ma meng” (to match the pronunciation) and “Xiongben xiong” (to match the meaning). He is as active as a bear in Taiwan.
Kumamon Cafe also opened in Taipei City.
The same goes for the interior of the night market Shingen mochi shop.
Accessories with beads.
known for cat villageHoudong, TaiwanI also spotted Kumamon using buoys in the station building. It has cat ears and a mustache.
Rilakkuma is also very popular in Japan.
Taiwanese also admit that there are many bear characters in their country, and there is such an article. It says “Taiwan mascot”, but “mascot” means mascot in Chinese.
Why is Taiwan’s mascot a bear? Can you tell who’s who? – China Times Newsletter
http://hottopic.chinatimes.com/20151105002382-260804
They all look alike?Collection of Taiwan’s Top 5 “Bear” Mascots- ETtoday Dongsen Travel Cloud
http://travel.ettoday.net/article/548113.htm
All in all, it makes me want to go to Taiwan again.
Traveling to Taiwan is not a game of “see Kumamon and die”, but please pay attention to the role of bears. That alone made the trip more interesting.
(Sentence/Photo: Takuya Sudo @ Chariderman
Cycling around the world http://shuutak.com
Twitter @shuutak
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/chariderman/
DMM lecture request https://kouenirai.dmm.com/speaker/takuya-shuto/)
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