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HONOHON was named and unveiled as the official mascot of the 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026, at an event in Nagoya on 14 July 2024.
The name comes from 'honoho', the Japanese word for flame, and the mascot is described as being born from the burning passion in athletes' hearts.
Its form fuses that flame with the Shachihoko, the mythical tiger-fish guardian of Nagoya Castle and a symbol of the Aichi-Nagoya region.
Red Kumadori makeup around the eyes links the character to Kabuki theatre and to the region's Kabukimono tradition.
The 20th Asian Games will be held in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October 2026.
A mythical creature in Japanese tradition with a tiger's head and a carp's body, placed on castle roofs as a guardian against fire. The golden pair on Nagoya Castle is the city's best-known emblem.
Simple Analogy: It plays the same role as a gargoyle on a European cathedral — a roof-top guardian figure.
General Awareness > Sports — mascots and multi-sport events
Who broke the 30-year-old Asian Games men's 5,000m meet record in National Open Athletics Championships 2024?
Answer: Gulveer Singh
Official mascot of the 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026; the name derives from 'honoho', Japanese for flame.
The stylised red-and-white face makeup of Kabuki theatre, used in HONOHON's design.