Idolization of Miyazaki Ken local mascots and Himukaizer local heroes: The animate spirits of Miyazaki, Japan

Abstract

In Miyazaki, southern Kyushu, local mascots and action heroes characterize and animate local particularities as non-human idols who enjoy enthusiastic fandom. In ways that resemble aspects of historical religious tradition, these yuru kyara and gotochi hiiro animate their respective places. These entities perform public rituals and allow followers to partake of their healing powers through direct communication, or materially, through the consumption of amulets. Miyazaki Ken are three doglike symbol characters who dance and play, in costumes that may change to represent local specialties such as agricultural products, sports, or even local gods. They belong to the genre of yuru kyara, "wobbly characters." In contrast, local heroes are mobile and feisty, staging battles for public witness in which good triumphs over evil. The Tensonkorin Himukaizer franchise is a set of hero and villain characters who perform to tokusatsu-style action and animate Miyazaki as local heroes, whose personae and stories derive from local religious legends and their characters. Involvement with fans of these character franchises reveals their engagement and moreover, shows how each franchise provides opportunities not only for enjoyment and material consumption at public performative events, but also, potentially, a sense of belonging to the land and its legends, psychological healing, and physical development.