Since 2010, mascots from across Japan have gathered for an annual event, known as the Yura-Chara Grand Prix to vote for the year’s most popular mascot. Sadly, the 2020 Yura-Chara Grand Prix will be the final of these events, heightening the significance the year’s competition. Despite concerns over large gatherings due to the corona virus, numerous families and fans made their way to Iwate Prefecture for this year’s event, with thousands of others voting online for their favorite character. Facing stiff competition from over 690 mascots, including many with a home prefecture advantage, the winner of the 2020 Yura-Chara Grand Prix ‘The Final’ was the mascot for AidTakata from Rikuzentakata city in Iwate — Yume-Chan!!
With a star on her head filled with the light of hope to guide children to safety and wings on her back so she can fly around freely to deliver dreams and happiness contained in her flower pouch, it’s not hard to see why a mascot infused with so much hope and positive energy would be chosen during such a trying year as 2020. Yume-Chan was born January 4, 2012 as the mascot for AidTakata, an NPO which helped in supporting reconstruction following the tsunami in 2011. The coastal town, Rikuzentakata was one of the hardest hit areas by the tsunami, which killed nearly 1 in 10 residents – the highest proportion of any city!
Watch Yume-chan, dressed up in her cute pink dress, receive her award for winner of the 2020 Yura-Chara Grand Prix:
