Sega have launched a new website for its 60th anniversary, as well as a new mascot that seems to be the son of Segata Sanshiro.
Sega may have long since abandoned the console hardware race, but the company continues to be a household name with plenty of long-time fans to call its own, as demonstrated with the success of the Mega Drive Mini and, in its own way, the recent Sonic movie.
This year, the company will be celebrating its 60th anniversary, and it has already kicked things off with both a new website and a new mascot character.
Named Sega Shiro (who also has his own website), he makes his first appearance in a new video that sees him randomly appearing in different locations to stand with his arms folded and yell ‘Sega-dayo!’ He also sports a judo uniform over his shoulders.
In
case it wasn’t already apparent, Sega Shiro is clearly meant to be a successor,
and a possible relation, to Segata Sanshiro, a mascot created for the Sega
Saturn. In fact, Shiro is being portrayed by Maito Fujioka, the eldest son of Segata’s
actor, Hiroshi Fujioka.
Ironically, Segata became more popular than the associated console, and is still a beloved icon today. He was even a party member in crossover game Project X Zone 2.
In
the run-up to the Dreamcast’s release, Segata was tragically killed off,
jumping on a missile that was aimed at Sega’s headquarters and riding it into
space, where it exploded, though he has made appearances since in other media.
Whether Sega Shiro’s appearance is meant to herald a return for Segata is unclear, but it’s nice to see his legacy being fondly remembered and acknowledged.
As for what else Sega has planned, chairman Haruki Satomi wrote in a message on the new website ‘The Sega Group is planning a variety of special contents for this 60th anniversary. Through these special contents, we will deliver the passion of the Sega Group to the entire world.’
We can only speculate on what announcements Sega will have throughout the year, but we know at the very least that a new Sonic The Hedgehog title will be announced, especially with the franchise celebrating its 30th anniversary next year.
Also, next month will see the release of a new Sakura Wars title for PlayStation 4, the first to come out in over 10 years. Part action role-playing game, part dating sim, you must command a small army of anime girls to battle against a demon invasion. As you do.
And lastly, the newest Yakuza title, Yakuza 7, is planned to release worldwide this year and will feature an entirely new protagonist and gameplay style, ditching the 3D brawler action for turn-based combat.
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