Go Torch Mascots Dance Into Fans' Hearts at J-Pop Summit
August 5, 2016 -- The return of the popular Japanese Go Torch mascots brought lots of smiles, laughter, and dancing to this year's J-Pop Summit. The Japanese pop-culture festival brought a record 20,000 attendees to San Francisco's Fort Mason Center July 22-24, teaming the Go Torch ("Yuru-Kyara") characters with pop music artists Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, World Order, GARNiDELiA, Silent Siren, and YANAKIKU.The Go Torch characters were spotted at every corner of the event. Paper bag fairies SanaSenaBona (from Sasebo), twin bears Koakkuma & Akkuma (from Hokkaido), Zombear (from Otaru City, Hokkaido), Umebara Hibari (from Ibaraki), and AsakuSamurai (from Asakusa) greeted visitors at the entrance and took photos all weekend long. Fans who posted their photos on social media with the hashtag #JPMascot received special treats like Zombear's blue-colored ramen and commemorative keychains.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hashtag/jpmascot?src=hash
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/jpmascot/
Special appearances included a packed-house live performance on the Fort Mason stage with live otagei dancing, MC-ed by SanaSenaBona and Stephen Chun. Koakkuma and Akkuma from Hokkaido played their original rock song “Akkuma Time”. Otaku culture princess Umebara Hibari danced to Maidreaming's song “Dreaming Passport”, followed by BABYMETAL's “Gimme Chocolate”. AsakuSamurai, known as the dragon samurai from Asakusa, gave a sword performance and battled ninjas in thrilling on-stage combat.
The characters also took part in the festival's new Sake Summit and Ramen Summit, spotlighting Japan's food and drink culture, and visited Japan's Consulate General offices.
The Go Torch mascots' appearance at J-Pop Summit was sponsored by NePt Japan and Nippon Travel Agency, who offered a special tour package to visit the Hokkaido and Kyushu areas exclusively during the event.
ABOUT SANASENABONA
SanaSenaBona is a "paperbag fairy" idol group from Sasebo, Japan. The 3-girl group sing, dances, and chats with everyone they can about their great city. Sana loves sports. Sena loves fashion and she can use magic. Bona loves to laugh and she is a very loveable character.
https://youtu.be/7XWFRkOH2HY
SanaSenaBona Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanasenabona
SanaSenaBona Homepage: http://sanasenabona.com
SanaSenaBona Instagram: https://instagram.com/sanasenabona
ABOUT KOAKKUMA & AKKUMA
Koakkuma and Akkuma are from Hokkaido. They are twin bears that came from a planet named "Akkuma-Sei." Koakkuma, the younger sister in pink, is cute and kind. Her motto is "Smile, change the world." Akkuma, the elder brother in purple, is good at playing guitar.
☆ Koakkuma:
Birthday: 6/6/20008 (according to the Akkuma Planet calendar)
Personality: Obedient, pure, loves to eat
Slogan: SMILE CHANGE THE WORLD
Hobby: Cooking
In June of 2008, Koakkuma came from the Akkuma Planet to Hokkaido. When she lost her memory and felt really uneasy, “smiles” encouraged her. Now she works to make people smile with her slogan, “Smile Change the World.” Koakkuma goes to all 179 cities in Hokkaido (the “Koakkuma Caravan”), invigorates the local communities by hugging people, and making people smile.
☆ Akkuma:
Birthday: 6/6/20008 (according to the Akkuma Planet calendar)
Personality: Naughty, bitter, mischievous
Slogan: AKKUMA CHANGE THE WORLD
Hobby: Playing the guitar
In July of 2008, The great king of Akkuma ordered Akkuma to pursue Koakkuma. We don't really know why Akkuma is pursuing Koakkuma, but because he is always being lazy, the great king is always mad at him. He is really good at guitar and can play many different kinds of music such as J-Pop and rock with his fluffy hands. His live guitar performances fascinate audiences and are a must-see!
https://youtu.be/53-NSoczw_w
Homepage: http://koakkuma.jp
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KOAKKUMAandAKKUMA
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/KOAKKUMAandAKKUMA
ABOUT UMEBARA HIBARI
Umebara Hibari is an anime otaku from Ibaraki prefecture. She loves drawing manga and listening to j-pop music.
https://youtu.be/2E6h__luC8E
Twitter: https://twitter.com/umebarahibari
ABOUT ZOMBEAR
Zombear is from Otaru City, Hokkaido, and he travels all over Japan looking for the boy who used to take care of him. After 70 years, he is still roaming with holes and rips… His favorite food is fresh salmon!
https://youtu.be/e8VP_EgKrBY
Homepage: http://zombear.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zombearlivingdead
ABOUT ASAKUSAMURAI
AsakuSamarai ("Asukasa" + "Samurai") are dragon samurai born in Tokyo's famed Asakusa district, who perform dazzling ninja tricks and sword fighting.
https://youtu.be/w7_cA-i3ECM
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/asakusamurai
bookmark/share with:
