London under attack from rejected Power Ranger monsters!
Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 8:58 pmwell not quite....
London 2012 not content with unveiling a logo that some have complained featured a Simpsons character in a compromising position, have introduced their Mascots for the 2010 Olympics.
Wenlock (named after a village near to where a 19th century event that predates the modern games) and Manderville (after a hospital connected to the founding of the Paralympics.) The Names are very British sounding which is good for they don't look at all British. Behold......
Now some may put these in line with british kids shows like "Teletubbies", or "In the Night Garden" but as far as I am concerned somebody better call for Kamen Rider cause these look like a couple Sentai villains have escaped. Look out Pink Ranger, cause even Manderville's arms look like tentacles.
But going beyond that first impression, what I question is, have the 2012 organizers paid any attention not only to the criticisms of their logo but also to recent games?
For example:
Left to right:
Quatchi, Olympic Mascot: Sasquatch rumored to live in BC for decades
MukMuk, Mascot's sidekick: Vancouver Island Marmot (real animal of BC)
Sumi, Paralympic Mascot: Guardian Spirit containing elements of the Black Bear, Eagle and Orca (real animals of BC)
Miga, Olympic Mascot: Sea Bear, based on local Aboriginal legends, half Kermode Bear, half Orca (Killer Whale)(real animals of BC)
These four were incredibly successful in the sense that kids loved them, they were easy to merchandise, and character goods have sold thru the roof. However, due to living in Vancouver, I have overheard and read countless times over the past few years how the mascots weren't Canadian at all and "why do we have Japanese characters for mascots?" 4 uniquely British Colombian mascots were seen as not Canadian because people focus on the fact they looked like they belonged in an anime show.
Obviously they felt by putting taxi lights on the top were enough to make them British, nope sorry that's a fail from me. I can imagine a few VANOC staffers smacking their heads for not bothering to even consider complains as recent as those for the 2010 games.
Or maybe it's just that I felt they missed the opportunity of having something internationally known for Britain get the chance.
Sorry chaps, maybe next time.
London 2012 not content with unveiling a logo that some have complained featured a Simpsons character in a compromising position, have introduced their Mascots for the 2010 Olympics.
Wenlock (named after a village near to where a 19th century event that predates the modern games) and Manderville (after a hospital connected to the founding of the Paralympics.) The Names are very British sounding which is good for they don't look at all British. Behold......
Now some may put these in line with british kids shows like "Teletubbies", or "In the Night Garden" but as far as I am concerned somebody better call for Kamen Rider cause these look like a couple Sentai villains have escaped. Look out Pink Ranger, cause even Manderville's arms look like tentacles.
But going beyond that first impression, what I question is, have the 2012 organizers paid any attention not only to the criticisms of their logo but also to recent games?
For example:
Left to right:
Quatchi, Olympic Mascot: Sasquatch rumored to live in BC for decades
MukMuk, Mascot's sidekick: Vancouver Island Marmot (real animal of BC)
Sumi, Paralympic Mascot: Guardian Spirit containing elements of the Black Bear, Eagle and Orca (real animals of BC)
Miga, Olympic Mascot: Sea Bear, based on local Aboriginal legends, half Kermode Bear, half Orca (Killer Whale)(real animals of BC)
These four were incredibly successful in the sense that kids loved them, they were easy to merchandise, and character goods have sold thru the roof. However, due to living in Vancouver, I have overheard and read countless times over the past few years how the mascots weren't Canadian at all and "why do we have Japanese characters for mascots?" 4 uniquely British Colombian mascots were seen as not Canadian because people focus on the fact they looked like they belonged in an anime show.
Obviously they felt by putting taxi lights on the top were enough to make them British, nope sorry that's a fail from me. I can imagine a few VANOC staffers smacking their heads for not bothering to even consider complains as recent as those for the 2010 games.
Or maybe it's just that I felt they missed the opportunity of having something internationally known for Britain get the chance.
Sorry chaps, maybe next time.
Brilliant idea. 
