So the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, also known as the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, came and went and, as expected, were enjoyed by the people who wanted to be enjoyed and were ignored by those who didn’t care that much anyway. Japan’s national team, aka “Team Red,” managed to get 58 medals, the most since it started participating in the Olympics back in 1912 and even though it had a huge team (552 athletes), it didn’t really have the home field advantage, since the seats in the venues were almost completely empty due to the Covid pandemic.
With the Olympics gone, attention has now turned to the Paralympic Games, which have a special meaning even if you aren’t interested in the scores, records, and medal counts: compared to Olympic athletes, Paralympians have to work against many more difficulties, and watching them overcome these is an inspiring reminder of the value of inclusion and diversity. For the Japanese Paralympic Committee, the symbol of the Games is the mascot Someity, who takes her name and pink and white colors from Japan’s famous cherry trees: the most popular cherry tree is the Somei Yoshino, which is merged here with the phrase “so mighty.” And yes, it takes a special type of linguistic imagination to come up with that!
Search for Someity on Japan Trend Shop and you will see that the Japanese have let their imagination run wild! Starting with cuddly plush kawaii dolls (because this is Japan and things usually start with cuddly plush dolls), you can get the alien-looking, manga-inspired pink and white host of the Games in a small, large, or big size with heights ranging from 14 cm (5.5”) to 130 cm (4.2 ft). And there’s even one who waves a Paralympic Games flag to help you cheer for the athletes as you are watching the games on the TV.
If the first step is kawaii Someity, the second should be weird – again, Japan has a reputation to uphold! There is the Shoulder Someity that grabs on to your shoulder and follows you everywhere, Flapping Arms Cap Someity that you can wear on your head with her legs hanging on your shoulders, Backpack Someity, who is attached to a small bag perfect for kindergarten children or for adults with a fashion sense, and Trucker Cup Someity, because even truckers can’t resist a mascot in Japan.
If you don’t feel so playful and would rather get your Someity in something more practical, the designers of the Paralympics merchandise catalog have you covered. Among the items available on Japan Trend Shop and ready to be delivered anywhere in the world you can find the Someity Lanyard with Card Holder, the Someity Flag Mug, the Someity Mechanical Pencil and Ballpoint Pen, and the Someity Binoculars — all featuring the Paralympic mascot and useful for your basic everyday needs. Carry these around and celebrate the Games in a more subtle way!
And as always there’s more: from the Someity Kendama traditional juggling toy to the Someity Banner featuring the cute mascot playing all 23 sports in the Paralympic Games, the Someity Face Stickers that make a bold statement about the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, and the elegant and classical Someity Folding Fan, the collection has something for everyone, regardless of their level of involvement with the Paralympic Games. Even having an interest in Japanese culture is more than enough, since from the first glance you can tell that Someity couldn’t had been created anywhere else!
Again, and setting the joys of shopping aside for a while, the Paralympics are about willpower, effort, and the ability to go against all odds and manage to overcome even life’s biggest obstacles. So even if Someity looks all cute and manga-ish, she’s the symbol of an event that celebrates the best of humanity, both from the athletes who try their best and the spectators who support them as they do. Sometimes even something as superficial as a plush toy can send a powerful message, so find the Someity you like, get her, and help spread this message with your family and friends!
Get 10% off all Olympics and Paralympics merchandise during the Tokyo Paralympic Games by using the discount code TOKYO.
