I admire the ability of Japanese culture to depict any object or concept with otherwordly cuteness. These adorable bloody-eared mascots are designed to recruit blood donors.

Kenketsu-chan (“blood donation girl”) is the official mascot for the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. She comes from Help Island, where rainbows transport her to those in need of blood. Her ears diminish in size when people don’t donate.

Kokoron-chan is the local mascot of Iwate:

And one of my personal favorites on the right side, Chiipitto (“blood cupid”) works around Hiroshima:

(on the left above, we see Aipii who works the blood drives in Ehime)

I think Chiipitto needs to be turned into a kitschy plush toy. I’ll get working on that!

More pictures and info here.