In a stunning turn of events, Kumamon toppled Funashii (ふなっしー, Chiba Prefecture’s Twinkyesque, pathetic excuse for a mascot) in this year’s Japan Research Center poll, achieving the top position for the first time ever due to support spread over a wide range of age demographics. Third place went to that raggedy band of mascots, Mickey and Friends, likely as their sponsor is stingy with funding. (Oh - they’re slated to visit this month. Best play nice, though we’d all rather see Kumamon.) - William

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