BBC News
By Sofia Bettiza
image copyrightWorld Flags
image captionSpain s character underwent a second attempt after some negative feedback, while Sri Lanka s proved popular
A group of Japanese artists are hoping to help people embrace both the Olympic spirit and Japanese culture by reimagining flags of competing countries as samurai characters.
Nations large and small are represented in the World Flags project, including India, South Africa, Great Britain, Sri Lanka, El Salvador and Turkey. Samurais are unique to Japan and we want everyone to get to know traditional Japanese culture, creator Kamaya Yamamoto said.
image copyrightWorld Flags
image captionWorld Flags intends to create characters for all 200 countries competing in the Games
Jan 6, 2021
As the postponed Olympics approach this summer, a Tokyo-based content producer is hoping that his project to represent countries and their flags with anime characters donning traditional Japanese garb and posing with swords or other weaponry will help foster greater understanding between nations.
Working with a partner company, Kama Yamamoto launched World Flags in 2018 alongside a handful of artists he has previously worked with on different ventures, hoping to help people around the world familiarize themselves with other countries and their cultures in a fun way.
“I want the project to be acknowledged globally as something that can bring the world together through the Japanese elements of anime and samurai,” says Yamamoto.