Pipo-kun

You can’t miss the little guy in Tokyo, hovering above police cars on the sides of houses, saluting pedestrians from construction site signs and waving at fans from the St Patricks day parade. But to see an ‘Idle Idol’ Pipo-kun you have to visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Police museum in Ginza. There you’ll find him guarding the front of this small museum with his arms wide open welcoming you.

Pipo-kun is the mascot for the Tokyo police force. He appears on posters and in crime prevention videos as well as on cell phone cases, notepads, erasers, mouse pads, T-shirts and key chains. Born on April 17th, 1987, his name comes from the first two letters of people and police. A combination of several animals, he takes the best parts in order to be the best law-enforcement officer: his large ears help him hear people in trouble, an antennae to catch quick movement and large eyes to watch every corner of society.

He even has a stirring song on his website. you can also find advice, check out some fan art, download colouring pages and even make some cool papercraft vehicles for him to sit in. Be warned you can’t escape the irritating tune which permeates the site.

Kaws produced a Pipo-kun inspired toy Produced by Medicom Toys for his Original Fake label.

The dog who appears on a sign with Pipo-kun is his friend Tenken-kun the car inspection mascot and the pink girl is his sister. He also has various other family members who appear with him including his grandma, grandad, mum, dad, sister and little baby brother.