You might’ve seen this character (as a meme probably) on the Internet.

It is the official mascot character of the 2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo, genuinely. It’s obvious that the mascot is a transformation of the official logo (the banner of this post).

Although one might feel strange at first look of the logo, it is actually delicately designed, with some element inherited from the logo of the 1970 Osaka Expo.

Soon after the logo was announced, which already aroused heated discussion, the official mascot was released and astonished the public. Well, you’ve seen them, it is quite blatant why people have complicated feelings.

Yesterday, July 18, which was 1000 days before the opening of Expo 2025, the committee announced the official name of the mascot - Myakumyaku (ミャクミャク, or MYAKU-MYAKU as this webpage suggests), along with its background. Introduced in the description on this official page,

A mysterious creature formed through combination of cell and water, its true nature unknown.

The red part is “cell”, which multiplies and proliferates.

The blue part is “clean water”, which can change its form through flowing.

It has been changing forms continuously to search for who it truly wants to become, and has chosen to imitate human beings and ended up in the form it shows now.

The outdoor sunshine is its source of energy. It also likes rainy days very much, and can absorb rain into its body.

It dreams of letting more people know itself before the opending of the Expo, and meeting more people in the Expo in 2025.

More on the name Myakumyaku. There is actually a Japanese word of the same pronunciation - 脈々(みゃくみゃく), meaning continuously. This name might also reflect the idea of passing down the tradition and spirit of Expo ‘70 in the same area.

Since the announcement of the logo, the discussion around Expo 2025 has recurrently heat up every time with more information released. This time, along with the name Myakumyaku, netizens in Japan are enthusiastically talking about the background story of this mascot. Interestingly, they added Sama (様), a title used usually in the respect for someone (like when a service provider addressing a customer, or when addressing the addressee in writing a letter), politer than the title San (さん), after Myakumyaku’s name, causing the tag ミャクミャク様 (Myakumyaku Sama) to trend on Twitter.

For those familiar with Japanese culture, the Kansai area has traditionally been known for its humor. All the stories around Expo 2025 so far has, more or less, made quite an example.