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The central police station in Nagano Prefecture is revamping its image by introducing a new pair of mascot characters. But unlike the jiggling yellow blobs and big-headed animal abstractions that we’re used to seeing, these two image characters are beautiful men, drawn in a popular manga style that often appeals to young women. They’ve only been around for a couple of days, but these pretty-boy policemen are already attracting a lot of attention.
The Nagano Central Police Station has called upon the artistic talents of Karakemi to create two attractive-looking characters who will help them keep order in their district. These are not the bumbling idiots or donut-eating lumps that are often used as cartoon characterizations of cops. Their names are Shiro Hokari, a young new member of the police force, brimming with a strong sense of justice, and Mamoru Tezuka, a calm and experienced senior officer in the prime of his life. And they look both competent and quite attractive in their snappy, blue uniforms.
The pair apparently work close together in an illustrated approximation of Nagano and are to be used as mouthpieces for the district’s law enforcement, appearing on official announcements and acting as poster boys for the police. Here’s what we know about the characters thus far.
Name: Shiro Hokari (26) Favorite food: meat, perilla mint cookies Least favorite food: bugs and worms Hobbies: skiing, watching movies Special skill: re-enacting short scenes from foreign TV dramas Message to Tezuka: “Why do you know all the kinds of candy that I keep in my drawer? And could it be that you’re the one who keeps slipping in new sweets as they become popular?”
Name: Mamoru Tezuka (42) Favorite food: chestnut flavored pastries from Obuse, grilled turnip greens Least favorite food: spicy things Hobbies: travel, cooking Special skill: making soba noodles Message to Hokari: “Could you please stop taking a daily sip from my thermos? If you were to just ask, I’d be happy to make you some. Hahah.”
The Nagano Police Station’s website plainly features these two admirable men, though the extent to which they will be utilized is not entirely clear. There is a section of the site reserved for explaining how these characters (and presumably the actual officers in the station) go about their jobs. But that portion of the site is currently under construction.
Still, the large number of unanswered questions surrounding the police station’s new pretty boys hasn’t hindered the imaginations of Japanese fangirls in the slightest. Already, in true Rule 34 fashion, there are images of the imaginary police pair up on pixiv in situations that would suggest that the two are involved in ways beyond that of mere coworkers. Considering all of the casual indirect kisses that must occur over the older man’s thermos, I guess there’s some small justification for the pairing. There’s certainly no mention of girlfriends or wives to hinder the fantasy. I guess we’ll just have to see what sorts of stories and images are released from now on. Fangirls, be on the lookout for significant glances and other tells.
Source: Jin115
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20 Comments
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chococo3
They are very cool, I like them. But I feel less need for pretty-boy mascot characters. Actually, it’s good idea to attract the interest of girls. But a cute girl is necessary, if Nagano police is thinking of appealing to many people, I think. In any case, Nagano police should put a great deal of effort into other things, instead of thinking about elaborate character information.
Thunderbird2
I went grey at 35 U_U
Back on topic... and I think I prefer the daft mascots to this pair - at least a yellow blob with an antenna won't flash at ladies or take upskirt photos.
Qamar
I like them, at least they seem pretty masculine! :)
AkashiAussie
Good on them. For many, police are seen as distant and potentially dangerous characters. If this helps soften their image and means that some girls are more willing to seek their assistance, then good job Nagano. Police must be sensible about the way they handle cases though and manage their time appropriately. Regarding the death of that stalking victim recently and your comments about the police 'refusing' to take stalking cases seriously, the way some girls are over here, if the police jumped through hoops every time some princess claimed she was being followed or that someone had said something mean to her, they'd have no time for anything else.
nath
Sometimes I'm reminded of differences between my home country and Japan. This is one of those times.
danalawton1@yahoo.com
So I guess it went like this: Sir, we need to improve our image with young girls.... we've had too many officers molesting them and they complain. We need to improve our image so they wont mind when we molest them! I know... lets create a cool, kako ii, image of a young officer... one they could fantasize about. Great idea... they'll be molesting us!
inakaRob
"boy mascot characters" Where? I see two androgynous anorexic 7 foot tall aliens.
lostrune2
Seriously
freeWill
Japan Inc., really knows how to create and mint money.
Could be the next hot export item after Sanrio cutesy dolls.
Probie
Japan: continually finding new levels of childishness.
sillygirl
Such silliness. Put some bite into upholding the law and catching those that really break (for example traffic) laws.
Salus
Law breakers won't give a shxt about them... Agree with zenkan- using real charismatic policemen sounds far more realistic and practical.
zenkan
Absolute nonesense. Use real photos of real people for campaigns in professions.
CaptainToss
Least favorite food: bugs and worms
Where was he brought up? In a cell with Renfield?
Serrano
Mamoru Tezuka: "Least favorite food: spicy things"
Hee hee!
gaijinfo
Oh Brother.
Are girls REALLY "fawning" over these?
TrevorPeace1
@sensie258: I had grey hair at 42, and I'm as male as they come (pardon the pun). But this whole thing about attracting some sort of lawfulness from a couple of cartoons is so far behind the times. Take it from someone who's worked with police forces as a volunteer for forty years, it's cute, but completely nonsensical.
Nessie
Competent to cut hair or redecorate an apartment, maybe. Policing, not so much.
sensei258
Why is he grey-haired at 42?