Protect Chiitan Movement: The Fight to Defend 'Japan's Crazy Mascot'

A new online movement has started on X (formerly Twitter) as hundreds of users band together to protect Chiitan, the "Japanese crazy mascot."

Who is Chiitan?

For those that are yet to be exposed to the glory that is Chiitan, the "Japanese crazy mascot," is a self-described "0-year-old fairy baby" otter that first went viral in 2019 as the unofficial representative of the city of Susaki in Shikoku, Japan.

Although Chiitan left the limelight during the pandemic, the mascot later re-emerged as the self-titled "god of advertising" to combat the spread of scam, crypto, AI, and conspiracy ads on X following a massive brand exodus last year.

From then on, many people have become accustomed to Chiitan in their ad feeds doing all sorts of masochistic and often wild activities.

Protect Chiitan Movement: Origins

As more people became exposed to Chiitan's craziness, it was no surprise to see some dissenters and "haters" ready to block the "Japanese crazy mascot" from their feed.

In response, many users are banding together to defend Chiitan, telling others to "hop off" from their "GOAT" (greatest of all time).

These interactions often end with the Chiitan account responding to the poster telling them that "Chiitan loves you all" and "will protect you from advertising," resulting in the former "hater" being "converted" to Chiitan's side.

Later iterations of the trend came with artists drawing fan-arts of Chiitan to encourage more people to join the "god of advertising" on X.

Bring Back Chiitan Movement

Amid the "Protect Chiitan Movement," a new subgroup was formed after the mascot uploaded an ominous post telling their followers that "I may not be able to update X for a while."

Chiitan did not provide much reason aside from claiming it was "due to circumstances." Included in the post is a picture of Chiitan being carted in a police car.

Due to the goodwill the account has earned around several online communities, many users, big and small, are now calling to release Chiitan from custody.

It is uncertain if the supposed arrest is real, although many users have started online campaigns to break free the masochistic mascot from imprisonment, wherever it may be.