Hiroshima Carp Mascot: The Hiroshima Carp mascot is a popular and beloved character in Japanese baseball. The mascot represents the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, a professional baseball team based in Hiroshima, Japan. The mascot, named "Slyly," is a costumed figure that resembles a carp, the team's namesake. The carp is a symbol of strength, resilience, and determination in Japanese culture, making it a fitting choice for the team's mascot. Slyly is a fun and energetic character who is always seen at Hiroshima Carp games and events. The mascot's costume features the team's colors of red and white, with a large carp head that is both adorable and fierce.
Hiroshima baseball team has a blue Phillie Phanatic doppleganger
The mascot's costume features the team's colors of red and white, with a large carp head that is both adorable and fierce. Slyly is known for interacting with fans, performing entertaining dance routines, and cheering on the team with enthusiasm. The Hiroshima Carp mascot plays a significant role in creating a lively and engaging atmosphere at games.
Slyly created by same designer who made the Phanatic for the Phillies
By Michael TanenbaumPhillyVoice Staff 09g/Reddit
Slyly, the mascot for the Hiroshima Carp, was designed by the same firm behind the Phillie Phanatic.
When the Philadelphia Phillies gave Bonnie Erickson the gig to design a mascot for the team in the late 1970s, little did the creator of the Muppets' Miss Piggy likely foresee the profound impact the Phanatic would have on the city's baseball tradition.
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In 1978, the year the Phanatic debuted, Erickson and her husband collected $2 million in merch sales because, at the time, Phillies executive Bill Giles didn't see fit to plunk to down another $1,300 for the rights to the mascot on top of the $3,900 price tag for the costume.
Thirty-eight years later, through the best and worst of times, the Phillie Phanatic remains a surefire recruitment tool for young fans who otherwise might not catch on during the team's lean seasons.
Erickson, as it turns out, did the same favor for the Hiroshima Carp of Japan's Central League. She and colleagues at her company, New York-based Harrison/Erickson, helped design a mascot named Slyly who's basically the same thing as the Phillie Phanatic, except he's blue. A Philadelphia couple traveling in Hiroshima spotted Slyly and posted on Reddit Wednesday to say they found the Phanatic's mother. Some commenters then pitched in to fill in the back story.
The man in the Slyly suit is actually a Philadelphia native who was previously a Phillies Phanstormer loading up the hotdog gun and performing other mid-inning duties. As you can see, he imported a few of the Phanatic's antics for his routine at Japan's more low-key baseball games.
Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Just a few years after the end of World War II, the people of Hiroshima Prefecture collectively funded its first professional baseball team. Unlike other professional teams, it was not owned by any private corporation (It is now partially owned by the Matsuda family, founders of Mazda Motor Corporation. Mazda was once called Toyo Kogyo, which is why the Carp’s official team name includes “Toyo”). The club struggled financially for several years, and required donations from its citizens to build the team’s first full-time stadium in 1957. Their struggles were not just financial, though, as the Carp failed to even contend for championships in its first 25 seasons.
Then, in 1975, thanks to a combination of stellar players like Koji Yamamoto (536 career home runs), Sachio Kinugasa (2,215 consecutive games played), and Gail Hopkins (clutch hitter who set a team record with 33 home runs in ’75), the Carp finally won its first Central League pennant. It would take another 4 seasons before their first Japan Series championship, though. They won back-to-back Nippon-Ichi (Japan champions) in 1979 and 1980, thanks in part to the above two players, plus ace pitchers Manabu Kitabeppu, Yutaka Ohno, and stellar reliever Yutaka Enatsu. Another championship came in 1984 and a CL pennant in 1986 gave them an impressive 12-year run (5 pennants, 3 Japan Series), but after Yamamoto (1986) and Kinugasa (1987) retired, the club managed just one pennant in the next 30 seasons.
Kenta Maeda was the premier pitcher in the Central League in the 2010s, but it was not until after his departure to MLB in the 2015 offseason that the team achieved significant success. The return of ace Hiroki Kuroda plus the emergence of import ace Kris Johnson (Sawamura Award winner for best pitcher in 2016) brought the team back to the top, and in convincing fashion. No one came close to knocking them out of first in the second half of the 2016-18 seasons. However, the Carp bowed out to the Fighters in 2016, the BayStars in 2017, and the Hawks in 2018. They currently have the longest championship drought in NPB, dating back to 1984.
They have faltered since their mini-dynasty, finishing out of the playoffs four straight seasons, but continue to stockpile great young talent that should help them jump back into contention in the near future.
Still, there is no doubt that the city of Hiroshima has a passionate love for its team, whose mascot Slyly more closely resembles an American mascot than any other team’s. (It was designed by the same group that created the Philly Phanatic.) The fans travel extremely well, turning the visiting section (and beyond) of other teams’ stadiums bright red. They are among the loudest and most supportive fans in NPB, and whether the team is winning or not, they make it difficult for outsiders to snap up tickets for their home games.
Team Slogan 2023: がががががむしゃら (Gagagaga Gamushara) = G-G-G-G-Going Ballistic
Current Standout Players: Ryoma Nishikawa , 28, OF: .315/.366/.456, 10 HR, 53 RBI, 60 R in 2022; Ryoji Kuribayashi , 26, RHP: 48.1 IP, 0 W 2 L, 32 SV, 1.49 ERA, 59 K, in 2022
Current Manager : Takahiro Arai (since 2023)
Franchise Established on: November 28, 1949
Central League Pennants Won: 9 (1975, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1986, 1991, 2016-18)
Championships Won: 3 (1979, 1980, 1984)
Notable MLB Exports: Hiroki Kuroda (Dodgers, Yankees), Kenta Maeda (Dodgers, Twins), Ken Takahashi (Mets), Alfonso Soriano (Yankees, Nationals, etc.); Seiya Suzuki (Cubs)
Spring Training Location: Okinawa City, Okinaw
Atlanta reunited: Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki runs into Carp mascot from his Japanese club
The presence of Slyly adds to the excitement and camaraderie among fans and creates a sense of unity and pride for the team and its supporters. In addition to entertaining fans during games, Slyly also makes appearances at various community events and promotional activities. The mascot's friendly and approachable nature makes it a popular figure among children and adults alike. Slyly is often seen posing for photographs, signing autographs, and engaging in playful interactions with fans. The Hiroshima Carp mascot has become an icon in Japanese baseball and is recognized not only in Hiroshima but also across Japan. The character's popularity extends beyond the baseball field, with merchandise featuring Slyly being widely sold and collected by fans. The Hiroshima Carp mascot is a symbol of the team's spirit and dedication, embodying the qualities that the Carp players strive for on and off the field. Slyly's presence adds an element of fun and excitement to the game day experience, making it an unforgettable part of Hiroshima Carp games for fans of all ages. Whether cheering from the stands or participating in community events, Slyly continues to bring joy and unity to the Hiroshima Carp community..
Reviews for "The Hiroshima Carp Mascot: From Concept to Reality"
1. Lisa - 2 stars - The Hiroshima Carp mascot was just plain creepy. I couldn't understand why they would have a giant red fish roaming around the stadium scaring children. The mascot looked more like a horror movie villain than something you would associate with a baseball team. It definitely didn't enhance my experience at the game, and I think they should reconsider their choice of mascot.
2. John - 1 star - The Hiroshima Carp mascot was completely unnecessary and a distraction from the game. It was difficult to focus on the gameplay when there was this strange, oversized fish constantly dancing and trying to interact with the crowd. The mascot didn't add any value to the overall experience, and in fact, it made it quite annoying. I would have enjoyed the game more if the mascot wasn't there.
3. Kate - 3 stars - While I didn't particularly dislike the Hiroshima Carp mascot, I found it to be quite bizarre and out of place. It didn't seem to have any connection to the team or the sport itself. The costume design was also a bit odd, and it didn't have that playful and friendly vibe that you typically associate with mascots. Overall, I think the Hiroshima Carp could benefit from reevaluating their mascot choice to better align with their team and fanbase.