Greeting you from on top of buildings with large moving claws, outside shops with a fist raised to the sky and in restaurant windows staring unblinkingly, the mascot is almost unavoidable. Idle Idol collects these wonderful 3D characters found all over the world. Discover antique advertising characters, modern-mass produced mascots, unique one-off designs for small stores and even strange park figures. Learn their names, origins and stories. Sometimes strange, often fascinating but always interesting, meet these amazing characters in Idle Idol.
Idle Idol The Japanese Mascot is the first book from Edward and John Harrison published by Mark Batty publishers. The book concentrates on Japan; a mecca for Idle Idols. The book is split into nine chapters with full colour photographs and descriptions of more than 100 mascots. Meet Anpanman and Doraemon, heroes of Japanese television and manga. Find out about Legendary creatures such as Kappa and Tanuki. Controversial mascots like Sento-kun and many more.
Astro Boy
Atom, or Astro Boy as he is known in the West, takes the front cover of Idle Idol so we thought it was about time we had a look at the different designs of this iconic character.
Milton Keynes Triceratops
The Triceratops at Peartree Bridge in Milton Keynes was created by local artist Bill Billings in 1979. To celebrate thirty years of the the iconic dinosaur it received a makeover on the 25th May 2009. The design was chosen from over 200 colourful ideas which were put forward for a dinosaur design competition, people were then asked to vote for their favourite.
French Fry Guy
The garish colours and exaggerated features make the French Fry Guy a bizarre and intriguing mascot. Probably the most unusual aspect about him apart from the dodgy eye which could actually be an attempt at a wink is the fact that he’s eating a chip from his head in what maybe considered self-cannibalism.
Win a Signed Copy of the Book!
Idle Idol: The Japanese Mascot is officially out and to celebrate the occasion we’re offering the chance to win one of three signed copies of the book.
Now Available In All Good Bookshops
My first sighting of the Idle Idol book happened at the Tate Modern bookshop on the weekend. The book was proudly on display alongside Drainspotting by Remo Camerota. Idle Idol will also be available at all good bookshops, and if it’s not stocked I’m sure if you ask them nicely they can order it in for you.
Idol Eyes
Fun with the Idol Eyes badge set in the park. If you attempt this at home make sure you don’t poke your eye out with the pin, and If you take any photos of yourself with Idle Idol badges we’d love to see them, send us an email. You can buy the badge set at the whatshop.
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