Time to add one more thing to Kumamon’s already lengthy resume.
Since his creation in 2010 Kumamoto Prefecture’s Kumamon has managed to become one of Japan’s most well-known and beloved mascots. From TV, to in-person appearances, to souvenir stands, it seems like everywhere you turn Kumamon’s somewhat frightening but oddly cute face is there to greet you. And as of thsi month, you can now see him online in his new role as a YouTuber.
Although the official Kumamon YouTube channel, KumamonTV, has been around since 2010 it had been relatively inactive. On August 22, though, Kumumato’s governor Ikuo Kabashima declared that this would soon be changing.
The change began on September 3 when the first video in Kumamon’s new YouTuber career was uploaded. In the video Governor Kabashima can be seen announcing that Kumamon would be becoming a YouTuber. This is then followed by an amusing segment in which Kumamon challenges Kabashima to a fierce Kendama battle. Episode one ends in a cliffhanger, which is wrapped up in episode two.
Perhaps one of the most interesting things about these video is that they have subtitles. The first two have English ones and Nihon Keizai Sinbun has reported that episodes will have French, German, Chinese, and Korean subtitles, thus ensuring that Kumamon fans around the world will be able to fully enjoy all of his silly antics.
Check out the videos below.
KumamonTV Episode #1
Kumamon TV Episode #2
A total of about 40 videos have reportedly already been shot and they are set to be released on a weekly basis, so if you’re a Kumamon lover you should go subscribe and hit that notification button so you don’t miss out on all the wackiness Kumamoto’s favorite bear is sure to get himself into.
Source: Nihon Keizai Shinbun
Image: くまモンTV #1「YouTuberくまモン、知事とけん玉対決！」( Kumamon TV #1 ) (Kumamon TV)
