The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games announced the 2020 Games’ official mascots in March. Two characters created by designer Ryō Taniguchi were chosen by elementary and international school students throughout Japan.
The characters are named Miraitowa (blue) and Someity (pink). Miraitowa represents the upcoming Olympics and has the ability to move anywhere instantly. On the other hand, the kind-hearted Someity represents the Paralympics, loves nature, and brings to mind Japan’s iconic cherry blossom trees. Someity has telekinetic abilities and can talk to stones and the wind.
The official Olympics website unveiled the characters in their respective sports poses for next summer’s competitive events. Miraitowa stars in an animated video where he shows off his athletic prowess.
ミライトワが東京2020オリンピックの競技に挑戦🤸♀️
ミライトワは今日でデビューから1周年。東京2020オリンピックに向けてたくさんの競技を練習中です！みなさんはどのスポーツに挑戦するミライトワが好きですか？#Tokyo2020 まで #あと1年
▶https://t.co/sUr4Wb4XbO pic.twitter.com/nebvUWgdBr— Tokyo 2020 (@Tokyo2020jp) July 22, 2019
The video currently doesn’t not list any credits.
Globally popular characters who may have influenced the mascots’ designs are likely to appear beside them at the upcoming Summer Games. Characters such as Astro Boy, Sailor Moon, and Naruto appear on official Olympic and Paralympic merchandise. In addition, Yoshirō Mori, former prime minister of Japan and current president of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, previously proposed having a manga parade at the Games’ ceremonies.