The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has yet to select its official Olympic and Paralympic mascots, but what they have done is whittled it down to three pairs.
The winning pair of mascots will be decided by schoolchildren all over Japan, as well as international schools in Japan and Japanese schools overseas, with voting taking place from December 11 to February 22.
Would you like to meet the contenders? Of course you would.
#Tokyo2020 Shortlisted Games Mascots #2020Mascot pic.twitter.com/7WKCiq0Fnj
— Tokyo 2020 (@Tokyo2020) December 7, 2017
Exciting times and some strong animal vibes – but what did the public make of the bunch?
I love them all 😍
— Iyari Mch (@IyariMch) December 7, 2017
Awww 😮 they are soo cute ❤️
— Kanika (@kanika_you) December 7, 2017
Dutch equestrian athlete Frank Hosmar seemed … overwhelmed.
OMG!!!!! 🙈
— Frank Hosmar (@Frank_Hosmar) December 7, 2017
Nope, they’re not Pokemon, and they most certainly won’t be pleased if you start hurling Pokeballs at them.
I want to catch them all? Wait… What? They aren't Pokemon? pic.twitter.com/0LICPVU8QD
— DN ↗️💻 (@darinng) December 7, 2017
Meanwhile, some had their favourites…
Top Middle. The others are trying too hard.
— Gymfinity (@Gymfinity) December 7, 2017
… while others seemed baffled by the characterisation.
Seriously??? Kids cartoon characters?????????????????
— Carol VanLiew (@C_VanLiew) December 7, 2017
The winners will be announced on February 28 2018, and the lucky mascots will debut in the summer, two years ahead of the Games.