Hello Kitty may be Japan’s reigning queen of cuteness, but she is far from the only mascot with mass appeal. Japan has long mastered the art of crafting endearing characters that walk the line between ...

Ad Nut has seen many things in advertising: detergent mascots that look like nightmare fuel, brands mistaking purpose for personality, and humans attempting to sell “intimacy underwear” that doubles ...

A mythological pond sprite has claimed the prize for Japan’s best municipal mascot, although this year’s event was marred by allegations of skulduggery among rival towns competing for the honour.