Cartoon: Courtesy of NEO kinako

 

A Japanese netizen named NEO kinako sent an original cartoon to the Global Times on Friday, with the image of China's Gu Ailing embracing Bing Dwen Dwen, the cute panda mascot of Beijing 2022. 

She watched Gu win a gold medal at Beijing 2022 and sincerely regards her as a great "snow princess" so she created a cartoon for her, NEO kinako told the Global Times. NEO Kinako has not released the cartoon in public, as she wanted the Chinese public to see it first.  

She also drew a cartoon with the image of a girl holding a placard guiding the athletes' delegations at the opening ceremony of Beijing 2022, which has gained wide attention on social media. "So cute, my heart melts!" one Japanese netizen commented. "I'm going to forward this cartoon to my friends," another one said. 

Chinese netizens have also expressed their appreciation toward NEO Kinako and encouraged her to draw more.

The Chinese Embassy in Japan also forwarded the cartoon via its official Twitter account and praised the work. 

She didn't know the cartoon would gain so many likes from netizens, saying it was "totally unexpected." 

"I've been looking forward to Beijing 2022," NEO kinako said. "I thought those girls holding placards at the ceremony were pretty beautiful and charming when they walked in steady steps." She couldn't resist her impulse to create the cartoon when she watched the ceremony.

Her creative desire was motivated when she watched the competitions, some of which were quite tense. NEO kinako said she wanted to record the moment and hoped to share it with more people.