Osaka, Japan (The World's Fair, Closing Week)
The Expo Mascot Had Dozens of Eyes, and All of Them Were on Me
Japan's world's fair had a mascot covered in eyes. Normal mascots have two. This one needed extra to take me all in.
Greetings from Osaka, where the world’s fair just closed after six months and more than twenty-five million visitors. Some came for the pavilions. Many came, obviously, for the closing week, which is when I arrived.
The Mascot
The mascot is red and blue and covered in eyes. Dozens of them. When it was first unveiled, people said it was strange. Now everybody loves it. The same thing happened to me. Not the strange part. The loving part.
I stood next to it for a photo, and every single eye turned to look at me. I’ve never been looked at so efficiently. I asked if it could be my official mascot. It didn’t say no. It didn’t say anything. Great listener.
The Fair
Every country built a pavilion to show off its future. I walked through and gave each one a score. Most got a seven. The future is good, but it could be better. I’ll be speaking to the future.
Next Stop
The next world’s fair is in 2030. I’ve already asked for a pavilion shaped like my head. Big. Round. Full of ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mascot, exactly?
A red and blue friend made mostly of eyes. Like a fan club with legs.
Did you have a pavilion?
I was the pavilion. People walked around me for hours.