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2010 Mascots Unveiled - Meet Sumi, Quatchi and Miga
November 27, 2007 | 1,361 views | Trackback | |
With the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver just over 800 days away, the good folk at VANOC (Vancouver Organizing Committee) today trotted out the "next line of players" in the merchandising circus that always accompanies these big events.
My first impressions when setting my eyes upon the trio for the first time were positive. Mind you, my eyes fell straight on the big fella, Quatchi, in the middle - the only character that really appeals to me. What I don't really get, however, is why these supposedly First Nations inspired creatures have such a stereotypically Asian, almost Pokemon feel about them. I know there's a HUGE Asian community here in Vancouver, but something just doesn't add up. From their names to the animated style adopted in their creation, the only thing "First Nations" about the trio is the Orca inspired hat on Sumi's scone.
Sumi is, in fact the ultimate, magical amalgamation of iconic Canadian critters with the legs of a Black Bear, wings of a Thunderbird and head arrangement inspired by the Orca Whale. Quatchi is your straight up Kokanee variety of Sasquatch minus the slab of beer (that wouldn't be very correct for the kiddies now would it), and Miga is a mix of Orca and Kermode Spirit Bear, possibly the product of a creative meeting held at ooh, I don't know... 4:20pm in the afternoon perhaps???
Click to see full size...
It doesn't really matter, however, what I think of the mascots anyway - I'm not the one they are targeted at. But there's no doubt that the kiddies are going to lap them up along with every t-shirt, plush toy and other nick-knack created in their likeness.
You can get to know Sumi, Quatchi and Miga a little better on their attractive website over at www.vancouver2010.com/mascot.
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i could draw better mascots with a Nikko shoved up my clacker. pretty ordinary.
you're right about the Asian feel, before i started reading i thought they must be the Beijing mascots. weird.
I (surprise, surprise!) think they're great! I was skeptical going in...but I love the back story behind each character and think they are bright and cheerful. This is one of those things that is a total "no win" - it doesn't matter what you do....everyone's a critic
Between the Canucks and now the Olympics I am learning this well!
I loved your post by the way.....I figured Quatchi would be your favourite
They can sell as many as they want - just take the proceeds out the taxes I'm paying!
I hear you on the Pokemon comment
WTF are they???
They're not Olympic Mascots! They're something you'd find hanging off a 13 year old Japanese girl's mobile phone!!
3 thumbs down. Eye sores.