The Huamao mascot looks incredibly lifelike！ 32 mascots from across Taiwan will battle it out in Kaohsiung this September

Reported by You Tzu-ju / Comprehensive report

The “2016 Taiwan Mascot PK Battle @ Kaohsiung” will kick off in September in Kaohsiung, with a total of 32 mascot teams from across Taiwan signing up to compete. The mascot PK battle is divided into the “Corporate Warriors Group” and the “Model Public Servants Group,” with three most distinctive mascots selected from each group, as well as one mascot that best represents the character of Kaohsiung. The Huamao mascot attended today’s (5th) press conference, and its strikingly lifelike and adorable appearance drew gasps of amazement.


▲ Last year’s mascot PK battle MVP “Gao Tong Tong” and the Huamao mascot warmed up together with a tug-of-war. (Photo / Provided by Kaohsiung City Government)

Ding Yun-gong, Director of the Kaohsiung City Government Information Bureau, said that last year’s Kaohsiung City Mascot PK Battle had already established Kaohsiung as the “Capital of Cuteness” nationwide, with over 910,000 participants. This year, the “cute army” is expanding its territory by not only inviting teams from other cities, but also reaching out to businesses. To see all the mascots gathered in one place, you’ll have to wait for the event to begin.

Participating teams include the Kaohsiung City Government Tourism Bureau’s “Kaohsiung Bear,” the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation’s “U！Fu & HaBi,” as well as city mascots traveling from north to south such as Taipei Universiade’s “Bravo the Bear,” Taoyuan’s “Ya Tao & Yuan Ge,” Hsinchu’s “Pi Pi the Lion,” and corporate mascots from Dream Mall, E-DA, Everlight Electronics, and Nantou Monster Village.

How do the mascots compete to come out on top? This year’s events include the “I’m the Strongest” tug-of-war on September 11, an online vote from 10:00 AM on September 12 to 12:00 PM on October 4, a mascot parade on October 1, and an awards ceremony on October 16. Competition methods include online voting, on-site voting, and professional judging.