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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!

More info: world-flags.org | Twitter

"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."

#3

UK

UK

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Gareth Graham
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not everyone in Britain walks around dressed as a Lord Admiral, we only do it three or four days a week at most

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"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."

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#6

South Korea

South Korea

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#10

South Africa

South Africa

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Cyndi H
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a South African... I completely approve! I could only wish we were this cool.

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#11

Italy

Italy

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David Townsend
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not certain on the strong influence of samurai on Roman culture but nice pic...

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#13

Sweden

Sweden

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Withnail
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Judging from the amount of clothing worn, those open Swedish toes must be chilly!

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#15

Spain

Spain

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ben jamin
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The posing alone is very spanish already .. the catalans won't like it though ;)

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#17

France

France

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Word Weaver
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this one even though I live in another country it truly reflects my French heritage and pride😁

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#19

Switzerland

Switzerland

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toldyouso
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True. Im from switzerland and that sure doesnt look like pur swiss cross.

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toldyouso
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Im from switzerland and i have to say yhat the cross is wrong: 1. Its too thin. 2nd: the cross isnt long like this: ✝ its more a plus! (+) if you do that wrong, then its another country (denmark) and not switzerland.

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toldyouso
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Forgot to mention: drawing is good. It would be finnier if he had our famous alphorn as a weapon xD

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Ariadna Zellweger
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why does/do Switzerland/Swiss people in anime always have blonde hair? Wish they’d go with brown for a change (would be refreshing). We’re not Germany no.2 :’< And the Jesus cross is a bit too much, haha qwq But apart from that it’s a very nice drawing! (probably designing my own version for Switzerland now Cx).

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Ariadna Zellweger
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And yea! The cross is DEFINITELY too thin! Seeing that mistake a lot recently (especially in artworks of Japanese artists). Probably because our cross looks like the first-aid one xD

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Spencer Kasper
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't tell if he is selling chocolates, preaching religion, or dealing death.

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Marianne Mäder
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would agree on the cross that it's too thin, but overall I like it. Anime characters tend to be long and thin, so it's in that regard that I still like it. If the cross could be adapted though then that'd make a great difference.

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Heidi Stump
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omfg WHAT?! First Finland then Switzerland? Omg im so happy! Switzerland get so little attention, i am so happy to see a hot guy representing Switzerland. Qwq The blonde hair just dosent fit cause most Swiss people are brunette and black haired. XD Many blonde hair are just fake.

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Fernando Diaz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I still don´t know where the idea that all Germans (for example) are blonde came from... if one couldn´t artificially change the color of his/her hair (something all right), the result would be "surprising" in many countries.

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MelNekoMan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ufff dude <3 This gives a feeling of the Fate saga, don't you think?

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Harleen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love his peaceful look. He doesn't look like a warrior, more like a defender - which absolutely goes with their neutral position <3

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Romain Ministralis
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pacifist weapon... remember our past... best fighter in the world.... it's for that we are a country named Switzerland....

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Troux
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perfect! No weapon for the pacifist, neutral nation.

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BelHa
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a stylised halberd he's wielding. The traditional weapon of Swiss mercenaries.

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Lisa Weibel
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The weapon should habe been a hellebarde like the swissgard in the Vatikan has it (as this weapon is soo important in our hustory) but well nice work👍

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#27

India

India

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SukhveEr SIngh
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

🔥 aaawesome... but is he some wrestler samurai or what...they gave him no weapon.

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#29

Denmark

Denmark

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Hans_not_the_real_Hans
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#30

USA

USA

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Note: this post originally had 32 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.