News Don Quijote to keep its store mascot after online uproar

[thomas]

Don Quijote (ドン・キホーテ), the Japanese discount store chain known as Donki, faced a massive uproar from its fans when they announced last week that they were going to replace their famous mascot Donpen, a blue penguin which wears a Santa hat, with a much simpler logo. "Dojo-chan" would have been an anthropomorphic representation of the Japanese katakana character "do":

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That prompted an outpouring of dismayed reactions online. Some fans posted photos of themselves in Donpen onesies, while others threatened to boycott Donki stores. Another user launched a poll asking which mascot Donki fans preferred. That attracted more than 33,000 clicks, with Donpen winning 93% of the vote. The change also appeared to have blindsided Don Quijote president Naoki Yoshida. He said on Twitter he didn't "understand the situation either" and had asked "relevant departments" for clarification. A few hours later, Mr Yoshida announced that Donpen would remain the company's mascot.

Donki discount store mascot survives axe after Japanese uproar

The Donki discount chain reverses its decision to replace Donpen, a penguin that wears a Santa hat.

www.bbc.com

The company behind Don Quijote, Pan Pacific International Holdings, also apologised for the incident and said they appreciated fans' support for Donpen. Donpen was born in Antarctica and raised in Tokyo, according to the official Donki website. He enjoys "walks at night", and it's rumoured his appearance changes.

驚安の殿堂　ドン・キホーテ

日本最大級の総合ディスカウントストア、驚安の殿堂ドン・キホーテオフィシャルサイト。グループ企業情報、店舗情報、採用情報、IR情報など。

www.donki.com

 

[Uncle Frank]

We members of Penguin Union 666 stand behind our brother in this grave miscarriage of justice and are preparing a petition for world wide signing to prevent the change in their plans in the future.

 

[Majestic]

Its a Christmas miracle.