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| Donki discount store mascot survives axe after Japanese uproar | Donki discount store mascot survives axe after Japanese uproar |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| Japan's mega discount store Donki has a famed blue penguin as its logo | Japan's mega discount store Donki has a famed blue penguin as its logo |
| Japan's largest discount chain has reversed a decision to replace its mascot after outrage from fans online. | Japan's largest discount chain has reversed a decision to replace its mascot after outrage from fans online. |
| Don Quijote, called Donki in Japan, has over 600 stores in the country and is known for selling a huge range of products at cheap prices. | Don Quijote, called Donki in Japan, has over 600 stores in the country and is known for selling a huge range of products at cheap prices. |
| Its mascot Donpen, a blue penguin which wears a Santa hat, has become synonymous with the store. | Its mascot Donpen, a blue penguin which wears a Santa hat, has become synonymous with the store. |
| So an announcement that Donpen would be replaced sparked widespread shock on Japanese social media last week. | So an announcement that Donpen would be replaced sparked widespread shock on Japanese social media last week. |
| The company announced on Twitter it had decided to replace the penguin with "Dojo-chan" - an anthropomorphic representation of the Japanese katakana character "do". | The company announced on Twitter it had decided to replace the penguin with "Dojo-chan" - an anthropomorphic representation of the Japanese katakana character "do". |
| It did not give a reason for the change. | It did not give a reason for the change. |
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| That prompted an outpouring of dismayed reactions online. Some fans posted photos of themselves in Donpen onesies, while others threatened to boycott Donki stores. | That prompted an outpouring of dismayed reactions online. Some fans posted photos of themselves in Donpen onesies, while others threatened to boycott Donki stores. |
| Another user launched a poll asking which mascot Donki fans preferred. That attracted more than 33,000 clicks with Donpen winning 93% of the vote. | Another user launched a poll asking which mascot Donki fans preferred. That attracted more than 33,000 clicks with Donpen winning 93% of the vote. |
| The change also appeared to have blindsided Don Quijote president Naoki Yoshida. He said on Twitter he didn't "understand the situation either" and had asked "relevant departments" for clarification. | The change also appeared to have blindsided Don Quijote president Naoki Yoshida. He said on Twitter he didn't "understand the situation either" and had asked "relevant departments" for clarification. |
| Pokemon to go on without Ash and Pikachu | Pokemon to go on without Ash and Pikachu |
| Cost of living: The shock of rising prices in Japan | Cost of living: The shock of rising prices in Japan |
| A few hours later, Mr Yoshida announced that Donpen would remain as the company's mascot. | A few hours later, Mr Yoshida announced that Donpen would remain as the company's mascot. |
| "We have taken the opinions of many of you very seriously and have discussed them with our board members. As a result, it was decided that 'Donpen' would continue as the official character," he said. | "We have taken the opinions of many of you very seriously and have discussed them with our board members. As a result, it was decided that 'Donpen' would continue as the official character," he said. |
| The company behind Don Quijote, Pan Pacific International Holdings, also apologised for the incident and said they appreciated fans' support for Donpen. | The company behind Don Quijote, Pan Pacific International Holdings, also apologised for the incident and said they appreciated fans' support for Donpen. |
| Donpen was born in Antarctica and raised in Tokyo, according to the official Donki website. He enjoys taking "walks at night" and "it's rumoured his appearance changes", the store says. | Donpen was born in Antarctica and raised in Tokyo, according to the official Donki website. He enjoys taking "walks at night" and "it's rumoured his appearance changes", the store says. |
| Don Quijote was one of the few stores in Japan to turn a profit during the Covid-19 pandemic, and has outlets in many parts of Asia. | Don Quijote was one of the few stores in Japan to turn a profit during the Covid-19 pandemic, and has outlets in many parts of Asia. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Social media | Social media |
| Retailing | Retailing |
| Japan | Japan |