Mascot huh? Thanks for the clarifacation Watchmann. But I'm still not sure why they chose to post this particular view of Mr Hippo, but then, there are many aspects of Japanese culture I don't fully understand.
I think I'll get a big bowl of Basashi Aisu, (raw horseflesh ice cream) and top it off with a double helping of Shirako (you can look that one up) and go play with my Urinal Elephant.
Please just laugh, no offense intended, no hate mail please....It's not like there aren't weird foods and stuff here. It's all relative.