The Mascot Games: 2013 Edition

Sanomaru (right) making alliances before the win. Via. A ramen-haired samurai beat out some 1500 competitors in this year's Yuru-Kyara Grandprix--Japan's annual mascot battle royale. It what could be a plot twist, the

wonders how winner Sanomaru, a tribute from Sano City would do against Japan's currently reigning power player:

The popularity of – literally loose characters in English – has rocketed thanks largely to the promotional activity of Kumamon, a rosy-cheeked black bear character from Kumamoto prefecture in southern Japan. Kumamon may look whimsical but his cash-generating ability is no joke: He generated ¥29 billion ($285 million) for his prefecture last year in sales of related goods." Whatever the outcome, may the odd be forever in their favor.--SJWho will win?  Via and via.