Bringing Sasebo to the World with "Cat x Burger x Kaiju" Professional Animator Launches "Sasebo Kaiju Nyaon" Project

Sasebo's Original Character "Sasebo Kaiju Nyaon" Launches ~ An active professional animator pours their love for their hometown into a "Cat x Burger x Kaiju" mascot to share Sasebo's charm with the world ~Animator, illustrator, and character designer Ai Yokoyama has officially launched the "Sasebo Kaiju Nyaon" project, an original character designed for tourism PR and regional revitalization in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture.

■ Debut Event: Merchandise Sales & Autograph Session To commemorate the character's debut, we will hold a special autograph and merchandise event in Sasebo City.

[Date & Time]

• Friday, June 12, 2026, from 17:00
  
• Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 14:00 / 17:00

[Location] Event Space inside "Y.Y. Boueki" Kashida Building 2F, 7-14 Shimase-cho, Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture TEL: 0956-25-2271

[Merchandise Set with Exclusive Autographed Shikishi] Price: 12,000 JPY (Tax included) First-come, first-served. Registration closes when capacity is reached. Customers who purchase the Nyaon Merchandise Set will receive a custom illustration and autograph drawn on the spot on a shikishi (colored paper board) by Ai Yokoyama (Photography is welcome).

• Set Contents: Shikishi (with illustration & autograph), T-shirt (White or Black), Acrylic Stand (First-come, first-served; will be replaced by a poster once sold out), and Cat Charity Goods.

[Important Notes]

• No reservations or holds. Available only to those attending the venue on the day.
  
• Payment at the venue is cash only. ▶ Please apply via the official website (select your preferred date):https://www.sasebo-kaiju-nyaon.com/news/

■ Background of the Project Yokoyama began visiting Sasebo Port on the way to visit their father's family grave on Ojika Island. While walking through the streets and enjoying the port scenery waiting for the ferry, Yokoyama experienced the warmth of the local community. This inspired a strong desire to give back to Sasebo using their professional skills, leading to the creation of this project.
■ Character Concept: "Cat" x "Burger" x "Kaiju" "Sasebo Kaiju Nyaon" is inspired by the Sasebo Hamburger, a symbol of the city's harmonious and diverse food culture, and the deep affection shown by locals towards the cats watched over warmly in Sasebo and across Nagasaki. Additionally, recognizing that the term "KAIJU" has become an international word thanks to the global success of Japanese films and anime, the character intentionally bears the title of "Kaiju" to be highly accessible to overseas audiences and dynamically convey the appeal of Sasebo.

■ Key Initiatives

1. Sasebo Yonkacho Shopping Arcade Revitalization Project Utilizing experience from producing large-scale murals at AnimeJapan, we will transform shopping arcade shutters into photo spots. We will create trick art that visitors will want to photograph, such as the Wings of Kujukushima, a Giant Sasebo Hamburger, and the appearance of Nyaon.
   
2. Store Collaborations We will implement measures to increase foot traffic and purchasing intent within the shopping arcade, including store-exclusive Nyaon designs and distributing illustration cards (similar to collectible manhole cards) to customers.
   
3. Product Expansion and Global Reach In addition to selling acrylic stands that tourists will want to post on social media, we aim to enter the "sofubi" (soft vinyl) figure market, which boasts enthusiastic collectors worldwide (including Taiwan, China, and the US), thereby raising the international profile of "SASEBO".
   
4. Social Contribution: Supporting Rescue Cat Funds A portion of the project's proceeds will be donated to rescue cat activities and animal welfare funds in Sasebo City. We aim to build a circular ecosystem where the more the character is loved, the more local cats are saved.
   
5. Supporting the Next Generation of Creators We aim to create an environment where young, aspiring illustrators, animators, and manga artists living in Sasebo can work on the front lines nationally and globally while staying in their hometown. We will provide practical workshops and opportunities to participate in the production of the local IP "Nyaon."

■ Proposer Profile Ai Yokoyama Animator / Illustrator / Character Designer Formerly of MADHOUSE Inc. Currently serving as Chief Animation Director for the Liar Game TV anime project. Major representative works include Initial D(New Initial D: The Movie), Attack on Titan Season 2 (Animation Director), Terra Formars (Chief Animation Director), and Bayonetta: Bloody Fate (Character Design).
■ Contact Information & Press Inquiries Sasebo Kaiju Nyaon Project Contact: Ai Yokoyama Official Website: https://www.sasebo-kaiju-nyaon.com/ ©Yokoyama Ai / Sasebo Kaiju Nyaon Project