Japanese Artists Reimagine Countries And Their Flags As Anime Characters For 2020 Tokyo Olympics (30 Pics)
While Tokyo is busy preparing for the 2020 Olympic Games, people are already psyched for it. A few Japanese artists have come together to create an unofficial promotion campaign for the Tokyo Olympics, drawing inspiration from a subject they're incredibly passionate about. Anime. They have been reimagining the participating countries as badass anime characters who are ready to go into combat, and the designs are very Japanese. In the best way. Each os the Olympic sports competitor is created with the culture, history, and national identity of the corresponding country in mind, offering a pretty visual harmonious diversity. Which is what the Olympics is all about.
Now, character drawings and concepts are always 'love it or hate it,' but we think that the artists behind these awesome anime drawings did an amazing job. All you have to do is scroll down below and check their drawing ideas out for yourself!
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"There are six people working on the project, but more creators will join soon," World Flags told Bored Panda. "We've been doing it for about a year now." And even though the crew haven't done every participating country yet, they said the won't stop until everyone who is participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gets their own character.
"We feel so much respect for all of the countries around the world. They and their symbols (flags) are very important to us," the artists said. "We know we can't treat any of them in a way that would disrespect them and that's what we're constantly trying to do."
UK
Not everyone in Britain walks around dressed as a Lord Admiral, we only do it three or four days a week at most
"We started this project after recognizing the diversity between all of the people in the world. Also, we believe that illustration is the perfect tool to highlight this. Our motto is 'The whole world is cool!'"
"Japan and Tokyo have already started promoting the Olympics and they're doing a good job. We want to remind that World Flags is not a part of the Olympics. We just wanted to contribute. We believe that art -- and anime in particular -- can truly do wonders when it comes to both celebrating the bond between the Japanese culture and the rest of the world and acknowledging their differences."
South Korea
Italy
Not certain on the strong influence of samurai on Roman culture but nice pic...
Canada
France
I love this one even though I live in another country it truly reflects my French heritage and pride😁
Germany
I like it but a sword would have been better that a katana. ;)
Switzerland
Norway
India
🔥 aaawesome... but is he some wrestler samurai or what...they gave him no weapon.
Denmark
Sorry, but nothing that reminds me here of denmark. The white towel should be the cross from the flag? The swiss version looks more like denmark.
USA
Note: this post originally had 32 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
These are all really good, but honestly, I'd prefer their outfits were inspired by the respective country's traditional clothing. Would make it more interesting. Regardless of politics.
I agree, this way you could show more countries that did not make the list.
Australia
On the other hand, it's done for the Olympics in JAPAN so the concept is mixing japanese traditional clothing with details inspired by each country's identity, so... yeah.
I know the concept. But see, it got a bit monotonous after a while. Just this. Still, the art is good.
Yeah, but the anime style is pretty Japanese all on its own.
Sheila Parkins love
NO the Dutch version is highly dissatisfying :-(
I was scrolling down to the Netherlands hoping for some wooden shoes, hahaha. I agree with you, now it's just the colors of their flags, I was also expecting something inspired on traditional clothes.
yes, it was the perfect opportunity to research both national attire and physical distinctions between all these countries
I agree. The first few designs were so creative with the colors and props but still stayed true to the flag. Afterward, the designs just became robes/armor with the flag stamped on them, along with a pretty plain weapon. I just think that the designs themselves had so much more potential (e.g. turning India's wheel into a shield, giving Singapore a weapon based off the moon on his flag, etc).
Maybe. But almost EVERY country that hosts the Olympics seems to do some take on the attending countries' traditional outfits. I like that Japan went for something different and decided to do styles based on Japanese traditional clothing. Now, that does make it a little harder to be entirely original for each one, and you do get some monotony, but at least they're attempting to NOT be like every other country who hosts the Olympics. EDITED: I just realized these are not official illustrations, just a group of artists' work. I'm really disappointed. They're so cool they totally should be official.
I partially agree. I think the basic style of the clothing should say something about the country. Traditional can be a good way of doing that sometimes, and in particular I think America and Brazil as cowboys would have been better, but for instance I actually thought Canada's worked perfectly and so did Germany's even though both were in more of a Japanese anime style, and although Argentina has never had knights, I think the Argentinian one as a knight would have reflected something beautiful about Argentina's culture. It's worth noting too that not all countries really HAVE a traditional dress - South Africa is in such severe flux right now that you can't really describe ANYTHING as a South African tradition, and Indonesia is a patch work of different ethnic groups and cultures with basically nothing in common that were hastily stitched together to hunt pirates. Overall, I think these were a little too formulaic and could have done with some bolder and more expressive choices.
Huh, you really thought so? I'm Canadian and didn't care too much for Canada's design. It felt too much like maple leaves just stamped on everything. Though, I liked the touch with the furs on it, that was pretty cool.
Truuuue, that would be even more awesome!!
Roger that. Would be great to see the female samurai = Onna-bugeisha -version too, as women Olympics atheleths are as mesmerising as men. That willpower!
But the point the artist was trying to make was it is in Japan these are Japanese illustrations based on the flags. Not the cultures
Fair point. But it would've been better, I think, to work in a little more of each culture's unique things into the designs.
I don't care what YOU would prefer... that's autors thing to decide and I'm glad he chose this style as its his... take it or leave it.. sorry for bursting out but these things really piss me off like..wtf don't tell autor what he should do with his art its his
Ummmm - pay attention, please. The Olympics are in Japan. That is what makes these depictions so brilliant. Also, I do not think they are political; The characteristics are recognizable to everyone around the World.
nobody keeps you from makeing some yourself
that´d have been a better idea, but idk, is just the artist way of seeing all other countries, but in Japan shoes, i liked my own country one, specially for 1 detail i saw (i loved everything though)
David Leon -
They infused the hanbok in the korean one but ok
But, then it really wouldn't be anime, would it? I like the Eastern style given to all the costumes.
Someone discovered Hetalia: Axis Powers XDDD
Love Hetalia!!
So do I XDDDD
I can actually imagine these as like the costumes for the Hetalians during the Olympics (only for show, of course, you'd barely be able to walk in those robes).
Tbh I prefer Hetalia rather than this. England is my favourite boi.
Sammy Vaage follower
I love dat Animeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!! Canada best boi
I'd like to know why there's no Ireland?
They said they haven't done every participating country yet and will continue their work until Tokyo Olympic 2020. It's on the paragraph under the 1st picture (currently SA) :)
That's good to hear. One might otherwise have raised an eyebrow! :-)
Danny Pross ?
Don't worry Ireland, we will also get our avatars - said Poland.
There is an Irish one. The author has just decided himself which ones are the best, even those the Spanish hate theirs. The Irish one is one if the best.
They definitely did Ireland. I saw it in another article. Google it. The one i saw didn't have U.S. so I looked for another article. They want to do one for all 200 participating countries.
"World Flags" https://world-flags.org/europeanunion/ireland.html
Many countries missing at this point. And many ethnicities.
These are all really good, but honestly, I'd prefer their outfits were inspired by the respective country's traditional clothing. Would make it more interesting. Regardless of politics.
I agree, this way you could show more countries that did not make the list.
Australia
On the other hand, it's done for the Olympics in JAPAN so the concept is mixing japanese traditional clothing with details inspired by each country's identity, so... yeah.
I know the concept. But see, it got a bit monotonous after a while. Just this. Still, the art is good.
Yeah, but the anime style is pretty Japanese all on its own.
Sheila Parkins love
NO the Dutch version is highly dissatisfying :-(
I was scrolling down to the Netherlands hoping for some wooden shoes, hahaha. I agree with you, now it's just the colors of their flags, I was also expecting something inspired on traditional clothes.
yes, it was the perfect opportunity to research both national attire and physical distinctions between all these countries
I agree. The first few designs were so creative with the colors and props but still stayed true to the flag. Afterward, the designs just became robes/armor with the flag stamped on them, along with a pretty plain weapon. I just think that the designs themselves had so much more potential (e.g. turning India's wheel into a shield, giving Singapore a weapon based off the moon on his flag, etc).
Maybe. But almost EVERY country that hosts the Olympics seems to do some take on the attending countries' traditional outfits. I like that Japan went for something different and decided to do styles based on Japanese traditional clothing. Now, that does make it a little harder to be entirely original for each one, and you do get some monotony, but at least they're attempting to NOT be like every other country who hosts the Olympics. EDITED: I just realized these are not official illustrations, just a group of artists' work. I'm really disappointed. They're so cool they totally should be official.
I partially agree. I think the basic style of the clothing should say something about the country. Traditional can be a good way of doing that sometimes, and in particular I think America and Brazil as cowboys would have been better, but for instance I actually thought Canada's worked perfectly and so did Germany's even though both were in more of a Japanese anime style, and although Argentina has never had knights, I think the Argentinian one as a knight would have reflected something beautiful about Argentina's culture. It's worth noting too that not all countries really HAVE a traditional dress - South Africa is in such severe flux right now that you can't really describe ANYTHING as a South African tradition, and Indonesia is a patch work of different ethnic groups and cultures with basically nothing in common that were hastily stitched together to hunt pirates. Overall, I think these were a little too formulaic and could have done with some bolder and more expressive choices.
Huh, you really thought so? I'm Canadian and didn't care too much for Canada's design. It felt too much like maple leaves just stamped on everything. Though, I liked the touch with the furs on it, that was pretty cool.
Truuuue, that would be even more awesome!!
Roger that. Would be great to see the female samurai = Onna-bugeisha -version too, as women Olympics atheleths are as mesmerising as men. That willpower!
But the point the artist was trying to make was it is in Japan these are Japanese illustrations based on the flags. Not the cultures
Fair point. But it would've been better, I think, to work in a little more of each culture's unique things into the designs.
I don't care what YOU would prefer... that's autors thing to decide and I'm glad he chose this style as its his... take it or leave it.. sorry for bursting out but these things really piss me off like..wtf don't tell autor what he should do with his art its his
Ummmm - pay attention, please. The Olympics are in Japan. That is what makes these depictions so brilliant. Also, I do not think they are political; The characteristics are recognizable to everyone around the World.
nobody keeps you from makeing some yourself
that´d have been a better idea, but idk, is just the artist way of seeing all other countries, but in Japan shoes, i liked my own country one, specially for 1 detail i saw (i loved everything though)
David Leon -
They infused the hanbok in the korean one but ok
But, then it really wouldn't be anime, would it? I like the Eastern style given to all the costumes.
Someone discovered Hetalia: Axis Powers XDDD
Love Hetalia!!
So do I XDDDD
I can actually imagine these as like the costumes for the Hetalians during the Olympics (only for show, of course, you'd barely be able to walk in those robes).
Tbh I prefer Hetalia rather than this. England is my favourite boi.
Sammy Vaage follower
I love dat Animeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!! Canada best boi
I'd like to know why there's no Ireland?