We reported early on this blog how Funabashi's unofficial yuru-chara Funassyi won the first "general election" (Japan Department Stores Association, August). Now hot: the "Yuru-Chara Grand Prix (GP)." Voting closes tomorrow, November 8.
The 2011 GP crown went to Kumamon, launching his big break—the top authority contest in yuru-chara.
This year it is an "organized election." Online voting started September 17; interim results through October 7: ①Ieyasu-kun (Hamamatsu, Shizuoka) 320k pts ②Sanomaru (Sano, Tochigi) 230k ③Gunma-chan (Gunma Pref.) 160k—top three. Below, ④Choruru (Yamaguchi), ⑤Fukka-chan (Fukaya, Saitama), ⑥Yoichi-kun (Otawara, Tochigi), ⑦Ippe (Iwata, Shizu
oka) all over 100k. Register on the official site (http://www2.yurugp.jp/) and vote once daily—"organizational votes" decide winners. Photos: top Ieyasu-kun's campaign meeting (August 27, Mayor Suzuki at right); left Sanomaru's candidacy declaration (September 2, Mayor Okabe); lower right Gunma-chan appealing at the prefectural office (September 17).
The Mainichi Shimbun evening edition of October 31 front-paged the race—mayors leading campaign HQs, city staff visiting companies and groups... national-election-level fervor. One report: a prefectural office sets PCs to open the GP vote page daily.
Historian Michifumi Isoda wrote humorously that when Ieyasu-kun visited, hearing criticism of organized voting, he laughed that it suits Ieyasu, who took the realm by organization.
Funassyi entered last year's GP but ranked 506th of 880—then broke out anyway. After winning the summer general election, Funassyi declined this GP.
Motives—to ride Kumamon's success for regional revitalization—are understandable, but 2010 named-vote winner Hikonyan (Hikone) aside, do you know mobile winner Tabo-kun (Shiga)? Last year's GP winner Barry (Imabari) nationally? Seems Kumamon won alone while guerrilla Funassyi struck back. GP victory does not instantly make you a national star.
Over 1,500 characters entered this year. Results November 24 at "Yuru-Chara Summit in Hanyu," Saitama.