Unari-kun, the official mascot of Narita City in Chiba Prefecture, defeated 1,157 rivals from localities nationwide to of Chiryu, Aichi Prefecture, and of Higashi-Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, took second and third spots, respectively.
Unari-kun is the special tourism ambassador of Narita, which is famous for its international airport and unagi eel dishes. In light of his victory, here’s 10 things you might not have known about Narita’s lovable mascot:
? Unari-kun’s birthday is Nov. 21, which coincidentally fell two days after the results of the vote were announced.
? He’s half airplane, half eel.
? Unari-kun lives in Narita.
? He’s originally from the planet of Unari.
? He first landed on Earth at Narita’s airport.
? He decided to stay in Narita because the city is full of fantastic places, great food and hospitable people.
? Unari-kun can get along with anybody.
? His favorite phrase is “うな” (”una“), which he often says at the end of his sentences.
? His favorite things are children in Narita, 测ō办补苍 (sweet bean jelly), 迟别辫辫ō锄耻办别 (pickled gourd), sweet potatoes, lotus roots and seasonal flowers.
? The cylindrical objects hanging from Unari-kun’s arms do not represent rolls of toilet paper but airplane engines.
Unari-kun has more than . The has been retweeted more than 4,900 times and has 8,400 “likes.”
ご报告?。
ぼくね「ゆるキャラ??グランプリ2017」ご当地キャラ部门、グランプリになりました(嬉)！
ず?っと梦みてた「この星の一等赏」だよ(感涙)。
ぼくがこの星の一等赏に辉くことができたのは、応援してくれたみんなのおかげです。大感谢?！うな。
— うなりくん (@unarikun_narita)
For more information on Unari-kun, visit or follow him on Twitter @unarikun_narita.
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