TOKYO –
JR East has unveiled three finalists to change into the brand new picture character for its Suica transportation IC card, because the long-serving Suica Penguin prepares to “graduate” in March subsequent yr after greater than 20 years because the face of the service.
The three new candidates are primarily based on a squirrel, a rabbit and a mole. JR East will invite the general public to vote by a devoted web site, with the successful character to be introduced on November 18, the twenty fifth anniversary of the launch of Suica providers.
The Suica Penguin has been used as the cardboard’s picture character for greater than 20 years and has change into well known by passengers, however JR East has determined that its tenure will finish in March subsequent yr.
The choice venture for its successor started by gathering concepts from workers throughout the JR East Group about what sort of character they wished to see and the way the brand new determine must be used.
Around 10,000 opinions have been collected, offering the idea for discussions amongst a variety committee made up of individuals energetic in a spread of fields.
JR East stated Suica itself can be evolving past its conventional position, with the corporate searching for to develop it right into a broader way of life service that may accompany customers in a wider vary of on a regular basis conditions.
Committee members stated a broadly liked character wants each familiarity that permits it to mix naturally into on a regular basis life and qualities that stay interesting even after repeated encounters.
They additionally emphasised the significance of making a personality onto which individuals can venture their very own emotions and one that may really feel continually current, whether or not encountered round city or showing unexpectedly in an individual’s pocket.
One committee member stated the perfect character could be lovable in any state of affairs whereas combining a central presence with a modest, understated high quality.
Young creators really helpful by committee members have been then requested to organize unique proposals primarily based on the concepts gathered by the method.
A various vary of designs was submitted, after which the committee met to slim the sphere to a few candidates.
During the choice, committee members thought of qualities together with reliability, memorability, visible attraction, motion and the potential for a personality to develop over time.
One member stated that as a result of the character would symbolize JR East, it ought to have a sure energy and dependability at its core.
Another stated one proposal was instantly memorable at first look, whereas one other was praised for its appeal and the way in which the character moved.
Committee members additionally responded positively to designs containing uncommon particulars and backstories which may not be apparent initially however might later generate curiosity as individuals discovered extra in regards to the character.
The committee additionally mentioned whether or not the brand new determine must be able to rising by a wide range of actions and thru the concepts and experiences contributed by totally different individuals.
After intensive deliberations, the squirrel, rabbit and mole designs have been chosen because the three finalists.
Committee members described the method as troublesome however stated they believed the remaining designs represented a robust final result.
One member stated the duty of selecting a personality that may very well be liked for a few years created appreciable strain, however that the choice course of was additionally instructional and gratifying.
The youngest member of the committee stated all contributors had been handled equally and every individual’s views had been revered through the discussions.
The committee stated it could be happy no matter which of the three candidates is finally chosen.
JR East has additionally introduced plans to make Suica usable in any respect of its stations by the early 2030s, underscoring the corporate’s broader effort to increase the cardboard’s position as its subsequent picture character prepares to take over.
The ultimate alternative will now be positioned within the palms of voters, with the three candidates’ futures to be determined forward of the November 18 announcement.
Source: JR-EAST – Official Channel