Seemingly shy but actually warm-hearted like a local Taiwanese — the official mascot “Oh Bear Taiwan” is now available.

Reported by You T-Ru / Taipei

Taiwan’s official mascot has made its debut. To promote tourism through sticker communication, the Tourism Bureau commissioned Camille, a company that has previously collaborated with the creators of Japan’s Hello Kitty, to develop a humorous series of 8 stickers featuringOh Bear Taiwan (Oh Bear)as the main character. These will soon be available for free download on LINE’s official sticker section starting December 3.

  
▲ Oh Bear Taiwan looks cool on the outside but is warm-hearted inside — just like many Taiwanese. (Photo / From Oh Bear Taiwan Radio’s fan page)

During the day, Oh Bear serves as the team leader of the Tourism Bureau’s Super Task Force. At first glance, he seems a bit honest and reserved, but just like many Taiwanese, he’s actually passionate and warm-hearted inside. And as they say, the face reflects the heart — Oh Bear’s rear end has gradually turned into a fiery red heart.Besides his daytime job, Oh Bear secretly transforms into the host of “Oh Bear Taiwan Radio” on dark, windy nights, and shares all kinds of hidden gems about delicious food and fun activities around Taiwan selflessly with travel enthusiasts via the “Oh Bear Taiwan Radio fan page” (http://goo.gl/NOlLVN).

The Oh Bear stickers include well-known Taiwanese tourist activities such as “visiting night markets,” “soaking in hot springs,” “the bicycle festival,” and “New Year’s Eve fireworks.” Starting December 3 for one month, to encourage widespread use of the Oh Bear stickers, a creative sticker conversation competition called “Find the Funniest Oh Bear User” will be held. Participants can create humorous LINE conversations using the Oh Bear LINE stickers — whether teasing friends, joking around, or playfully poking fun — just take a screenshot or photo of the funny dialogue and email it to ohbear007@gmail.com to join the contest. Winners could claim the title of “Funniest Oh Bear User,” and selected outstanding works will also be featured on the Oh Bear Taiwan Radio fan page.

In addition to the Oh Bear LINE stickers, the Tourism Bureau will further launch the “Oh Bear Taiwan Dynamic Sticker Creative App” in February 2014 (Year 103 in Taiwan’s calendar), inviting the public to submit photos of themselves taking funny pictures with Oh Bear and share their videos on Facebook timelines.