#Japan #Toshima #Toshima Ward #HARMONICs #Community Characters

The Birth of Toshima Ward's Ambassador Characters

Toshima Ward has recently launched a public initiative to name the original characters for its community hub, designed to foster local engagement and enhance recognition of the district. This initiative aims to create a participatory character that resonates with the community.

Character Design and Creation

The design of these characters was entrusted to Kazuno Tomizuki, a talented manga artist and illustrator hailing from the Toshima area. The characters are based on the four members of the folk song unit HARMONICs, which belongs to the 81 Produce agency. This unit consists of distinguished voice actors - Erina Koga, Ruka Yashiro, Shiori Nakasaki, and Yuuri Ichinose - who are not only known for their folk music performances but also for their storytelling and composition talents. As part of their ambassador responsibilities, they will host events such as “Folk Song Live! & Storybook Reading Hub!” at the community space.

Name Selection Process

In an exciting turn of events, the community participated actively in naming the characters, with around 90 suggested names submitted. Following a popular vote that attracted a total of 391 ballots, the names that received the most votes were selected. The winning names are: Aoi Izumimizu, Midori Hibiki, Sakura Somei, and Himari Kise.

The voices for these characters will continue to be provided by the members of HARMONICs, enriching the characters’ narratives and performances within the community hub. Future plans include theatrical readings and multimedia productions featuring the characters to further engage residents and promote Toshima Ward.

Official Commentary

A representative from the ward remarked on the initiative, stating, “We hope that many people will come to know about Toshima Ward and the community hub through these characters. We're also considering creating additional characters, including male and animal figures. We are currently preparing to offer coloring activities for the characters during the summer vacation period. Our ultimate goal is to allow everyone involved with our district to freely engage with these characters and facilitate activities that strengthen human connections.”

Next Steps for Community Engagement

As part of this initiative, residents can look forward to ongoing involvement with the newly named characters. Not only will they serve as representatives of the community hub, but the characters will also host various activities aimed at fostering relationships among the citizens of Toshima. The introduction of character-themed coloring pages and creative events promises to keep the excitement alive within the ward.

For more detailed information, visit the official webpage: Toshima Ward Community Hub and check out the promotional video showcasing the newly named characters.

Conclusion

This innovative approach taken by Toshima Ward exemplifies how local governments can utilize creative endeavors to strengthen community ties and improve recognition. With these charming ambassador characters, the ward hopes to engage the public and create a friendly environment where residents can connect and share their community spirit.

Stay tuned for future events and activities centered around these delightful characters as they embark on their journey to enrich Toshima Ward.