Black bear mascot Kumamon to become YouTuber

Will it have an adult voice talking like a 5 year old?

11 years in Japan, but I'm confident I'll never understand the childish embarrassment that is Japan's love affair with stupid mascots, children's voices and dumbed down girls.

What has this world come to?

Belrick, no, Kumamon never speaks. From the few videos I've seen of him, though, he can be plenty entertaining without words. He'll just be out there every Monday plowing through issues such as mikan and Aso milk and all of those issues important to us local folk.

Do they mean I have to wait until Monday every week to get my Kumamon YouTube fix? I'm so sad, NOT!

Laguna, read the first paragraph of the story again. They'll make it talk. They always have a way to ruin something for monetary benefit!

inkochiToday 08:46 am JST

Yukyara rule!

Wish they didn't.

You mean Yurukyara aka yuruchara?

Yurukyara who speaks is Funasshi and now going behind "mute" Kumamon, I want to see how Kumamon do the performances, being a You Tuber.

There is nothing wrong with having a little fun while promoting. If anyone feels they are "ruining" something then don't watch the channel. Simple as that! And so what if they make money. Isn't that the point of promoting tourism to Kumamoto?

I remember when my mom came and visited me in Japan when I lived there. One morning as I picked her up at her hotel she said "I tried watching TV, but it was all kids shows. Some of them were pretty sophisticated for kids. They did the weather and everything, like morning news shows for adults. But they were kids shows- there were stuffed bunnies and kitties all over the place, and the traffic guy was wearing a hippopotamus suit."

"Mom", I said, "that WAS the news for adults."

Interesting point it’s your prefecture mascot but you have to pay money to use it

National importance because Olympic tourists need to buy souvenirs

Japanese people are quick to change fads so I would question the longevity of Kumamon. I guess that's why they are making these videos. Kumamoto should certainly not be banking on the same level of success for years to come.

I bet most towns that have made copycat mascots will have lost money doing so, well beyond the most optimistic estimates of any promotional benefit from them.

Yeah, when IT pulled that chair from under that starlet, burning him with piping hot soba, THAT was the apogee of entertainment offered by Kumamon. I'm sure the youtube channel won't top this.

Laguna, read the first paragraph of the story again. 

Yulrick, thanks for pointing that out - but note that who would narrate was not indicated. Ain't no way Kumamon's ever gonna utter a syllable.

Yukyara rule!

Wish they didn't.