Japan's 10 Most Terrifying Yuru-kyara Mascots

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Yuru-kyara (ゆるキャラ), literally "soft characters", are usually cute, anthropomorphic amalgams of the local products and landmarks of regions and cities that are intended to help boost tourism. They're seriously big business in Japan with approximately 1700 yuru-kyara entered into the 2014 Yuru-Kyara Grand Prix and still others that weren't. Amid all this cuteness, however, there exists a truly terrifying category of yuru-kyara that is the product of a designer's sense of humour, a tactic to enliven a town's dull image, or the unfortunate and unintentional result of a sincere attempt at cuteness.

For your consideration, in no particular order, the top 10 most terrifying yuru-kyara Japan has to offer.