VW's New Hero, The Beetleman, Arrives! | Volkswagen
Volkswagen The Beetle Man | Volkswagen The Beetle Man
Conquering Mt. Fuji
Volkswagen's New Hero, The Beetle Man, Arrives!
His name is “The Beetle Man.” Clad in yellow armor and sporting rhinoceros beetle horns, he is Volkswagen’s new star, appearing for a limited time. This summer, we received word that Beetle Man would be climbing Mt. Fuji to convey the fun of “The Beetle.” The editorial department headed straight for the 5th Station of Mt. Fuji to meet him.
Text by AKIZUKI Shinichiro (OPENERS)Photographs by MOCHIZUKI Hirohiko
Beetle Man: The Taciturn Hero
Faster than a bullet, stronger than a stag beetle, he leaps over high quotas! Look at the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s… Beetle Man!
Clad in yellow armor and sporting rhinoceros beetle horns, this summer, a superhero has come to Japan to convey the fun of Volkswagen’s new model, “The Beetle.” Our magazine’s editorial department succeeded in making contact with him. The reply to Beetle Man’s letter, received via a certain PR department representative, read: “If you want to meet me, come to the 5th Station of Mt. Fuji at 2 PM on July 16th!”
Beetle Man’s beloved car is the open-top “The Beetle Cabriolet.” This is a special edition model with the slogan “Play More” emblazoned on it.
In a typical hero’s side pocket, you might find a handgun, but from Beetle Man, who loves peace, comes an original sticker.
On the day, when we arrived at the designated spot, we found Beetle Man surrounded by kindergarteners. As expected of a superhero protecting world peace, he was incredibly popular.
As soon as we tried to exchange business cards, he handed us a special sticker that read “Play More!” What excellent preparation. Beetle Man certainly knows how to make an impression. Indeed, it makes you want one.
However, when we tried to speak with Beetle Man further, his manager informed us that interviews were not permitted.
We wondered what was going on, having been summoned all the way to Mt. Fuji, but apparently, Beetle Man is a taciturn hero who doesn’t speak himself (according to his persona).
“But don’t worry, he has a dedicated interpreter,” we were told, so we prepared “10 Questions for Beetle Man” and set off for the summit of Mt. Fuji.
Volkswagen The Beetle Man | Volkswagen The Beetle Man
Conquering Mt. Fuji
Volkswagen's New Hero, The Beetle Man, Arrives! (2)
The Long-Awaited Watermelon Break!
The weather was clear. Not a single cloud in the sky, offering a perfect day for climbing with a view of the summit. The sun was strong, but there was a breeze, allowing Beetle Man and the reporting team to make steady progress. Today’s trek was from the 5th Station to the 8th Station lodging, Taishikan, located at an altitude of 3,100 meters.
Along the way, Beetle Man posed for commemorative photos with mountain climbers. Superheroes have always been popular with the ladies. When asked if his horns were an antenna that reacted to cute girls approaching, he shook his head vigorously, but it remains unclear what purpose those horns actually serve. However, being an enigmatic figure is also a prerequisite for a hero.
Beetle Man, Popular with Kids Too
Popular with Mountain Girls Too
Refreshed after a hearty curry rice meal, Beetle Man began his ascent to the summit the next morning. As the foothills gradually brightened, the mountain path above 3,500 meters became thinner in oxygen, making each step heavier.
At 4 AM, we finally reached the summit. Suddenly, the wind picked up, and we couldn’t get a clear view of the sunrise, but Beetle Man, high-fiving many climbers, was beaming. And to celebrate the successful ascent, it was time for the much-anticipated watermelon break. As a rhinoceros beetle, this is his favorite food. He apparently carried only this one watermelon in his backpack.
Beetle Man's Favorite: Watermelon, Naturally for a Beetle
A little while later, the fog suddenly cleared, revealing the entire surrounding area. In the foreground was Fujiyoshida, to the right was Gotemba, and beyond that, Yokohama and Tokyo. Looking out over the landscape, Japan seemed peaceful today as well.
About 18 hours after departing the 5th Station, on Mt. Fuji, Japan’s highest peak at 3,776 meters, Beetle Man made friends with many climbers. Together with the slogan, Play More!
Volkswagen The Beetle Man | Volkswagen The Beetle Man
Conquering Mt. Fuji
Volkswagen's New Hero, The Beetle Man, Arrives! (3)
10 Questions for Beetle Man
Q1
Could you briefly tell us about The Beetle Man’s origins?
I can’t say. But I love Japan, and I want it to become an even more wonderful country!
Q2
What is your purpose for coming to Earth and Japan? Did you come from Germany, where Volkswagen’s headquarters are located?
To make Japan’s summer more enjoyable! I like Germany, but I didn’t come from Germany. I am Japanese.
Q3
Does your beloved car, the Beetle Man-go, have any secret weapons?
It doesn’t have anything that would harm people, but it can change its form depending on the time and situation!
The mountain hut and Beetle Man. Looking a bit tired?
Q4
Did you design the suit yourself?
I’ll leave that to your imagination.
Q5
Are there any cars other than the Beetle you’d like to drive? Also, please tell us about your favorite driving routes.
The Beetle, with its individuality and playfulness, suits me best! I had a wonderful drive on Mt. Kanpu in the Oga Peninsula!
Watermelon tastes exceptional on the summit.
Beetle Man departs briskly after the climb! Until we meet again!
Q6
Do you have family, friends, or a girlfriend?
That’s a secret!
Q7
What kind of work do you do usually?
That’s also a secret!!
Q8
How were the views from Mt. Fuji and the taste of the watermelon?
They were exceptional! The watermelon tasted better than usual, and the climbers who aimed for the summit of Mt. Fuji must have had more fun than usual. That’s what “Play More!” is all about.
Q9
Will we be able to see Beetle Man again next year?
I appear wherever I am needed!
Q10
Do you have a message for all the VW and Beetle fans across the country?
Make every day more fun, Play More!
The Beetle Man
A superhero who loves the Volkswagen “The Beetle” and summer. He is Japanese and male. His blood type is B, and his favorite foods are watermelon and sausage. His special skills include dancing, and he admires George Tokoro and Jun Hasegawa. His beloved car is the open-top The Beetle Cabriolet. He has a playful side, often stumbling due to his earnest efforts. There’s a superstition that seeing him makes people feel better.
The Beetle Man Official Site
http://thebeetle.jp