[News Review – September 2024 Issue]

In the Atami hot springs of Shizuoka Prefecture, there is a local mascot and regional PR character called “Atsuo.”
静岡県の熱海温泉には、地域をPRするご当地キャラ「あつお」というゆるキャラがいます。

Mascot characters are often cute animals or women, but Atsuo resembles a middle-aged man.
ゆるキャラは動物や女性など愛らしい姿であることが多いですが、あつおの見た目はおじさんです。

When he was young, he was mesmerized by the Atami hot springs during a company trip. Before he knew it, he became a fairy and settled in Atami, eventually taking on his current form.
若い頃に社員旅行で訪れた熱海温泉に魅せられ、気がつけば妖精になって熱海に住みつき、年月を経て今の姿になりました。

He looks like a middle-aged man but has the heart of a maiden, making him a unique mascot character with genderless charm.
姿はおじさま、心は乙女。ジェンダーレスなかわいさを持つユニークなゆるキャラです。 

Photo: 熱海旅組
“Atsuo” is the character of the Atami Hot Spring Ryokan and Hotel Association.
「あつお」は熱海温泉ホテル旅館協同組合のキャラクターです。