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Microsoft Singapore Creates Anime-Inspired Mascot for Internet Explorer

In celebration of Anime Festival Asia (AFA) 2013, a regional Japanese pop culture event that's heading to Singapore this weekend, Microsoft Singapore has created an anime-inspired video featuring a mascot named Inori Aizawa (who has her own Facebook page).

The download page for the browser touts the tagline, "The world's most popular browser just got cuter."

Cuteness aside, Microsoft seems aware of their browser's reputation. Inori's bio reads:

When I was younger, I used to be a clumsy, slow and awkward girl.

However, just like the story of ugly duckling, people told me that I have really matured and changed over the years. I feel confident in my abilities now, and I'm eager to show you what I can do.

Of course, cute girls might not be enough to convert fans of other browsers, but just know that you'll make Inori cry.

The character is voiced by former Sea*A idol and anisong artist Valerie (Tang), who also sang the theme song for AFA2013. Here she is showing her support for Inori through cosplay. Valerie will be making a special cosplay appearance as Inori this upcoming Saturday at Microsoft's marketing launch at AFA2013.

This isn't the first time browsers or operating systems have been personified as cute girls. Microsoft Taiwan has been using the cute Hikaru Aizawa as their mascot for Microsoft Silverlight since 2010, while Windows 7 is personified by a mascot named Nanami Madobe. And of course, many fans likely still remember the popularity of OS-tans, personified operating systems that had their origins on Futaba Channel.