I get that Geodude has more name recognition, but Graveler and Golem totally have legs

Japan is overflowing withmascots.

I wasn’t even prepared when I visited, as every activity and location, from warnings about creepy airport shadow denizens who steal your stuff to anti-littering campaigns, have creatures. Prefectures (districts) in Japan have their own location mascots too, and now Iwate (found on the northeast portion of Honshu, the “main island,” about two hours train ride from Tokyo) has an official tourism ambassador: Geodude.

Yes this is a licensed shindig, approved by The Pokemon Company and everything. Geodude sprouted legs so that the real life version of him could move around (despite the fact that his evolutions have legs), and he’ll be joiningWanko(Iwate’s mascot that champions their famous noodles) to spread the cheer of tourism. The reason for his checkerboard leg pattern is so you can easilyPhotoshop it out(clever).

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you’re able to listen to Geodude’s very punk rock (oi oi!) tourism theme below, which contains a heap ofPokemoncameos. It’s animated!

Geodude[YouTube viaSiliconera]

Emio’s cover

The Unova Starters in Pokemon Go.

Sam Bridges wearing purple Ludens sunglasses in Death Stranding.

Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name

silent hill transmission

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Famicom Wars Famicom Friday

Naoe, Sorin, and Jinchiro looking serious