Nyango Star is one of Japan’s most popular mascots, but you might know him best as a meme.
He’s an apple that’s been inhabited by the spirit of a dead cat, and he absolutely shreds on the drums. Very cute but also very metal.
Nyango Star is what’s known in Japan as a yuru-chara — which translates loosely to “chill mascot.”
Japanese yuru-chara can represent everything from police departments to restaurants to government initiatives.
Nyango Star represents Kuroishi City — a farming community in Japan’s northern prefecture of Aomori — where the population is declining and aging. But Kuroishi’s mayor is hoping Nyango Star’s viral success will help the shrinking town maintain economic viability.
VICE News went to Japan to meet with Nyango Star and his management team and get an inside look at yuru-chara culture in Japan.
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vote:who want nyango star to be the next drummer of slipknot
I'm 63 but I'll come there and work on an apple farm for the rest of my life just to be in Japan!!! 😊
Why Japan makes everything so cute 😭
Like Nyango for hís drumming, but Don t like spiritism reaching children. A cat that dies is death, not resurrection, no ghosts, no spirits 😾
6:51
So, I believe it has to be either a mech-like exoskeleton or, given it's Japan, Hiten-Mitsurugi school. But I thought it had disappeared with Himura Kenshin's master.
日本の果物は世界一だと思うくらい美味しいので是非食べてほしい。世界が変わると思う。青森のリンゴもめちゃくちゃ美味しい
so youre telling me, this cute little cat can play breakcore? this world is amazing.
1:05
i love her expession, it says it all.
0:40 naw what do you mean “chill guy” he’s more than chill
Please never retire these awesome mascots, they are too cool to fade away!
Fascinating!! What a playfull peaceful beautiful culture…and then there's AMERICA🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
Is the drummer in the costume
Joey Muha?
Would Dr. Simi be a yuru-chara of Mexico? 1:10
If you're in a band, this is more likely your future than anything else.
Bro probably goes to parties and be like
*They don't know I am nyango star 😏
I called him "Teletubby Ringo Starr" in a facebook post not knowing I was that close to his actual name! LOL!!!
Possessed apple that plays death metal. What's there not to like?
Nyango is an inspiration outside of Japan
an apple possessed by a cat…
Apple+Meow cat+Ringo Starr= Nyango Star
The interviewer: :))
He’s not a Kat mascot he’s an apple mascot. You should really look into the story of the heavy metal character. I repeat. It’s not a mascot of a cat. It’s a mascot of an apple. Lol