The Eastern Edge

I couldn't just leave all the weird and wonderful mascot pics I found last time I posted about this sitting on my computer. And some I missed the first time are too good to ignore, so here goes.

First I would like to introduce the Police Mascot, a part of everyday life here in Japan. If any of you out there remember Terrytoons this guy, named Pico, might just ring a bell.
Despite what wikipedia will try and tell you, Terrytoons never recovered from the loss of one of their best characters; Mighty Mouse. He came to save the day for the last time after a failed comeback attempt in 1987, when he jumped ship and went for a secure long-term deal in Japan.
Just to refresh your memory, here is Mighty Mouse in heyday:

And here he is now, post-nose job, as Pipo-kun, the Police Mascot here in Tokyo:

Personally, I liked him as Mighty Mouse better. The extra fingers that the police department airbrushed in just don't work for me. Maybe some day CBS Paramount Television, the current TV and homevideo rights holders, will serve up a big enough chuck of cheese to lure him back. Until then, however, he's swapped the cape and tights for the classic police "shoulder holster in the nude" look.

Next we have the mascot for the Firefox browser in Japan. This little's guy's name is Foxkeh (how you pronounce that, I don't know!) and he even has a website.

It wasn't until I actually looked at the website that I realized that flame was a tail. At first I thought this guy was some kind of character for the promotion of flatus ignition, or maybe spicy fastfood.

Last, but certainly not least, is the illegitimate half brother of South Park's Sexual Harassment Panda. I don't know his name, but I think he's the official mascot of Tokyo Train Molesters (everything - I mean everything! - has a mascot in Japan!). Here he is moonlighting as an emergency substitute mascot for a baseball team. Shoulda done a background check!

Needless to say, he was never asked back and the team is reconsidering the mascot thing entirely in favour of shorter skirts for the cheerleaders.

Sigh...

All it takes it one misguided mascot to ruin it for decent, hard working mascots everywhere.
I hope that Cheerleader found him after the game, kicked him in the nuts, and told him to keep his grubby paws to himself.