Kirk here. I read this article about rules pertaining to the use Kumamon’s image with interest. Here’s and odd one: Since Kumamon is considered to be male, he’s not allowed to like sweet things like cake (cake!!). I’ve heard the idea that, in Japan, people used to think that sweets were feminine and therefore it was thought that men and boys shouldn’t like them. But, I thought that was an old, discredited stereotype and so was a bit surprised to learn that it has been made an official rule. Read the whole article for more interesting tidbits.