Blue-eared dancing koala a pop hit in Japan
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Doala the Koala is an unexpected hit in Japan. (Chunichi Dragons)
A clumsy blue-eared koala with two left feet has become a surprising pop-culture phenomenon in Japan.
Doala the Koala is a mascot for the Chunichi Dragons, a baseball team in Nagoya in central Japan.
He has been representing the team since 1994, but inexplicably in recent months he has become a cult figure - publishing a book and sparking big queues and crowds at public appearances.
"Honestly, we don't know why he's become so popular now," says Tetsuro Ishiguro, PR manager for the Dragons.
"We think it might be because people have been putting his video on to websites."
Doala has been the team's mascot since 1994, an attempt to capitalise on the public interest in a newly arrived koala at a local zoo.
In the years since, Doala has been a regular fixture at Dragons games, notorious for his clumsy dancing and ham-fisted gymnastic stunts. But this year Doala has become a phenomenon off the field.
He has released a book called Doala's Secrets where he answers everyday questions with surprising insight.
Since then, his public appearances have become overwhelmed with fans seeking autographs and photos with the blue-eared mascot.
His popularity is overshadowing the team's two other mascots, Shaoron and Paoron, who are both dragons.
"If you go to an event now, it's crowded with fans and they're crying out, 'Doala, Doala!'," Mr Ishiguro says.
"We had an autograph event recently in Tokyo for his new book - some people waited outside all night just to get a numbered ticket. It's a bit crazy."
Australia's marsupials pop up in all manner of strange locations in Japan, with one of the country's largest courier companies using a kangaroo for its logo.
Recent television ads for car insurance have utilised animated dancing koalas - who reveal their trademark black noses are actually mobile telephones. Meanwhile in convenience stores across the country, chocolate-filled koala 'biscuits' are a popular snack.
At the Chunichi Dragons, Doala's popularity shows no signs of going away and the team hopes to capitalise on his success to boost its own supporter base.
"We want to make a DVD," Mr Ishiguro says.
"The fans can't see Doala on TV as much as other comedians or celebrities - so we'd like to show the real Doala on TV."
And then, the blue-eared mascot might make a pilgrimage to his natural habitat.
"He'd really like to go to Australia to meet some other koalas," Mr Ishiguro says.