Last week, Japan was hit with heartbreaking news: the passing of the performer behind Tsubakuro, the beloved mascot for Nippon Professional Baseball's Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Fans across the nation mourned the loss of the individual who had brought Tsubakuro to life for over 30 years.
Now, an X (formerly Twitter) user has shared a heartwarming anecdote about Tsubakuro, recalling how they sent a wedding invitation to the mascot and received such a hilarious reply that it left them in stitches, perfectly showcasing Tsubakuro's one-of-a-kind humor. The story quickly went viral, with netizens pouring out their grief over the performer's passing.
The user recounted that when they got married last year, their wife secretly sent a wedding invitation to Tsubakuro without their knowledge. To their utter surprise, Tsubakuro was the first to RSVP, even before any of their friends, stating, "My heart will be there."
But here's the kicker: under the section for food allergies, Tsubakuro hilariously wrote "Yomiuri Giants." The user and their wife burst out laughing when they saw it, a memory they'll never forget. They lamented, "Will we never see that unique sense of humor on the field again? It's truly heartbreaking."
Despite his usual cute, quirky, and often outrageous antics – earning him the affectionate nickname "Mischievous Penguin" (畜生ペンギン) – Tsubakuro's warm response to the wedding invitation, complete with the "Giants allergy" joke, was perfectly in character, reminiscent of his famous message board displays.
Netizens were deeply moved by the post, calling Tsubakuro everyone's favorite mascot and expressing how lucky the user was to receive such a personal response and blessing. "That memory is truly priceless," many commented.
Even fans of the rival Giants expressed their immense love for Tsubakuro's humor. Many found it hard to believe that with the opening day in March fast approaching, they would no longer be able to enjoy baseball with the iconic mascot, leading to an outpouring of sadness.
Tsubakuro, who served as the mascot for over 30 years, truly left an indelible mark on Japanese baseball fans. Even these private anecdotes highlight his warmth and wit, explaining why fans are so heartbroken by the performer's passing. The same individual had been inside the suit all these years, imbuing Tsubakuro with a distinct personality and mannerisms that are virtually impossible to replicate. For Japanese fans, a change in the "person inside" means it simply won't be the Tsubakuro they know and love.
Here's hoping Tsubakuro's performer rests in peace and continues to cheer on Japanese baseball from above. QQ