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Mogu and Raku are apple-colored mole friends designed with a seal-and-bear-like appearance to feel both familiar and instantly approachable.
Mogu
Comes from mogura (モグラ), the Japanese word for “mole.”
Raku
楽 (らく) - the Japanese word associated with ease, comfort, and enjoyment.
Blending sweetness, comfort, and individuality, these mascots are created to bring warmth, companionship, and a small sense of joy to everyday journeys.
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No AI has been used in this project, except for 3D generation as fantasy.
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Konnichiwa,
I'm Zlata Prutska, a graphic designer from Kyiv, Ukraine.
I’d love to share why I created Mogu + Ragu.
I’ve always adored the Suica Penguin. When I learned that JR East was preparing to retire the character, I became especially inspired by the possibility of a new generation of characters.
Bling! That’s when I thought: why not create my own characters? So Mogu and Raku were born - two kind, slightly strange little friends (like little brothers) made with a lot of affection.
Thank you for giving me the chance to share them. I hope they can bring warmth, smiles, and a little companionship to many everyday journeys.
Best Regards! Arigatou!
Contact me: direct.simplekettle@gmail.com
Alternatives Considered
Mogu + Raku: Mango Moles
This was my first exploration of the characters. I initially experimented with gradients, but later chose to develop them using a single solid color. Since these characters could appear across a large volume of printed materials, I wanted the design to remain consistent, recognizable, and easy to reproduce across different formats and printing methods.
Mogu + Raku: Blueberry Moles
This was the second color direction I explored. Purple felt expressive, distinctive, and visually strong - qualities that can work especially well in a transport environment. However, I decided not to move forward with it as the main character color, as its intensity could feel overwhelming when used repeatedly across a large number of touchpoints. I saw it as a great color for creativity and special moments, but less suitable for the characters’ everyday presence.
This idea has been created by one day, one try, and one motivation. To bring more happiness and warmth to people's hearts.
Disclaimer
This work was not intended to be entered into the contest, it is NOT an official entry, or alternative for the ongoing JR voting.
This project ('Mogu + Raku') is a purely non-commercial, independent fan concept design created out of admiration for the brand. All trademarks, characters, and logos associated with 'Suica' and JR East belong entirely to Japan Railway Company.
Explicit disclaimers are placed on all layouts to prevent any public confusion.
