Japan's population has entered into a decreasing phase. Railway companies can't keep their arms crossed in this situation. They are in competition to attract passengers, and have to refine the value of their lines. Otherwise, the residents will move to the popular areas on other companies' lines. The railway mascot character is one of the solutions to refine the brand value of the railway line. For example, Sotetsu has Sounyan, who is a cat employee in charge of public relations. Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit has Rinkaru, who is a dolphin passenger of the Rinkai line. The Transportation Bureau of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has Toaran, who has a pantograph on the head. Yokohama Municipal Subway has Hamarin, who is a wheel of the subway train.
How is Odakyu Electric Railway going? Odakyu also can't afford to lose it! On October 7th, the company unveiled their new mascot character, Mokoron. He (or she) is a blue-colored rabbit to assist in child-rearing on the Odakyu line. He (or she) likes riding trains, and always looks for something fun. Odakyu recently commissioned the Mokoron poster train using set 5055 of the EMU 5000 series in commemoration of the debut of Mokoron. You can see an illustration of Mokoron on the front of the train. Mokoron is cute, and soon became hugely popular among children on the Odakyu line. I'm also one of his (or her) fans, and specifically fond of the large stuffed Mokoron boarding on the train. Look into the driver's cab.
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| Front view of the Mokoron poster train Official information about Mokoron (in Japanese): Official information about the Mokoron poster train (in Japanese): |