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Pearl Diver Mascot Megu Aoshima Raises Funds for Promo Anime
posted on by Egan Loo
The creators of Megu Aoshima, the unofficial pearl diving moe mascot of Shima, Japan, launched a crowdfunding drive to make a promotional anime video. If successful, the staff promises that fans will hear Megu's voice and see her move in a 30-second short next March.
The campaign aims to raise 4 million yen (about US$40,000) by the end of January. As of Tuesday, the campaign has raised 244,000 yen (US$2,200) or 6% from 21 supporters with 69 days left.
If successful, the campaign will give all supporters a thank you message image, a file of the video itself, and bonus digital content. Supporters who contribute more than the base 2,000-yen (US$20) tier will also receive a clear file folder, a clear poster, a name listing on the website, a protective charm, a hand towel, a character design collection, a premium hanging paper scroll, a mini-figure, and more.
The staff members say that they cannot announce the voice actress for Megu, but aim to have one with ties to the local area. The staffers are aiming for similar links for the musical act that would perform the theme song.
Shima, Japan, the location for this year's G-7 diplomatic summit, unveiled this mascot to honor its local female pearl divers in November 2014. Named Megu Aoshima, she is part of a trend of regions and cities in Japan promoting themselves through youthful, moe characters. But pearl divers (ama) are 70 years old on average and bear little resemblance to Aoshima. Some are offended by the character, and Isako Utsubo, a diver's daughter, has launched a movement for the city to withdraw its official recognition of the character (who was created by an outside design firm), claiming her appeal was "based on women's sexuality more than pearl diving."
On November 5, Shima's mayor, Hidekazu Ōguchi, held a press conference where he announced that Aoshima would no longer be recognized as Shima's official mascot. He said that the move had been undertaken on the request of the character designer, Yoshihiro Hamaguchi, and that speaking with pearl divers had revealed that about 30% were opposed to the city recognizing her. Hamaguchi will continue to use Aoshima, albeit no longer in an official capacity, since she has received much support and not all pearl divers agree with Utsubo.
Last month, Megu won the Animedia Special Prize in the Moe Chara Grand Prix 2016 competition between different mascots.
[Via Hachima Kikō]
