Official Website of 'World Local Character Grand Prix' Surpasses 2 Million Page Views!

Logo of the 'World Local Character Grand Prix'

The 'World Local Character Grand Prix,' featuring 298 local and corporate characters from Japan and abroad (with additional entries accepted throughout the period), has surpassed 2 million page views on its official website as of July 16—the 10th day of voting. The event has maintained strong momentum since surpassing 1 million page views on July 10. Online voting continues until December 4, while on-site support voting runs until December 13!

Current Top 5 Rankings (as of 08:30 on July 16)

1st: AVOCEAN (Thailand) 2nd: Chiryuppi (Chiryu City, Aichi Prefecture) 3rd: Sakai Hoya-maru (Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture) 4th: Hippo-chan (Create SD Co., Ltd.) 5th: DOMIIA (Thailand)

※ DOMIIA has withdrawn from the online support voting event as of July 14, following a request from GMMTV, the Thai company managing the character. Votes already cast will be counted as valid, but no new online votes can be submitted.

About the World Local Character Grand Prix

This Grand Prix is being held for the first time by an organizing committee composed of the General Incorporated Association Japan Local Character Association (Representative Director: Fukuroshi Arakawa) and Punctual Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture; CEO: Ken Moritoki), a company engaged in regional revitalization initiatives. Rankings are determined by the total points accumulated from: [1] approximately six months of online voting, and [2] on-site support voting held at five event venues across Japan.

Starting in September, a new system will be introduced that awards points to characters when supporters make hometown tax donations to municipalities via Punctual's hometown tax portal site, 'Furu-Comi.'

Awards will be presented not only for the overall top 3, but also for the 'Top Local Character' (invited to an event in Thailand in 2027), 'Top Corporate Character' (invited to a domestic event in the same year), and 'Top Character by Prefecture' (for eligible prefectures). The number of awards will increase as more sponsoring companies and individual supporters join.

https://charagp.full-comi.jp/

Key Features of the Voting System

1. Rankings determined by combining online and on-site voting points

The system visualizes not just online popularity, but also the actual contribution characters make by interacting with people on-site and energizing local communities. Final rankings are determined by combining points from online voting and on-site support voting held at five nationwide event venues. On-site voting carries higher point value to emphasize real-world engagement, potentially leading to dramatic comebacks during events.

2. A fair and user-friendly digital voting environment to prevent fraud

To prevent fraudulent voting via mass email generation, the online voting system requires LINE ID linkage. At event venues, attendees use their smartphones to scan QR codes located at each character's booth. Combined with GPS location verification—ensuring voting is only possible within the venue—this creates a convenient yet secure voting system.

※ 'QR Code' is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated.

3. Hometown tax donation system to support characters

Support your favorite character while contributing to local governments. Starting in September, a system will be introduced that converts fan enthusiasm—'I want my favorite character to win'—into municipal donations via the hometown tax mechanism. Only donations made through 'Furu-Comi,' operated by Punctual, are eligible (municipalities not using Furu-Comi are excluded). Further details will be announced around late August.

https://full-comi.jp/

On-Site Support Voting Events

For detailed information about each event, please visit the respective official websites.

▼ September 12 (Sat) – 13 (Sun): National Local Character Sharing Market in Chiba

(Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture – Makuhari Messe)

https://gotouchi-chara.jp/chiba2026/

▼ September 26 (Sat) – 27 (Sun): Local Character Carnival in Gunma 2026

(Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture – Gunma Prefectural Office)

https://gunmachan-official.jp/news/10495/

▼ October 17 (Sat) – 18 (Sun): Local Character Expo 2026

(Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture – Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road and Shibanchō Square area)

https://gotouchi-chara.jp/hikone2026/

▼ November 21 (Sat) – 22 (Sun): World Character Summit in Hanyu 2026

(Hanyu City, Saitama Prefecture – Hanyu City Hall & Hanyu Peace Park)

https://gotouchi-chara.jp/hanyu2026/

▼ December 12 (Sat) – 13 (Sun): Local Character EXPO in Rinku

(Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture – Rinku Ice Park)

https://gotouchi-chara.jp/izumisano2026/

Online Support Voting: July 7, 8:00 – December 4, 23:59

On-Site Support Voting: From the first day to one hour before the end of each event

Ranking Calculation Period: July 7 – December 13

Award Ceremony: To be held on December 13 at 'Local Character EXPO in Rinku.' Results will also be announced on the official website.

Call for Sponsors and Donors

We welcome sponsorship and support from companies and individuals who share our mission and wish to help energize communities alongside these characters. Companies interested in corporate hometown tax donations or other forms of support are also encouraged to contact the secretariat.