Now that the Tokyo Olympics hasscrapped plans for that stupidly expensive stadium, it can focus on other things. Like questions over its new logo.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics logo was revealed this week with a fancy intro clip. Art director Kenjiro Sano, one of Japan’s top graphic artists, designed the logo.
According to the official press release (via Under Consideration), the Tokyo Olympics logo is filled with symbolism:
The black colour of the central column represents diversity, the combination of all colours. The shape of the circle represents an inclusive world in which everyone accepts each other. The red of the circle represents the power of every beating heart.
However, many Twitter users have alleged that the Olympic logo is similar to the logo for Théâtre de Liègein Belgium, going as far to call it “plagarism” (パクリ or “pakuri” in Japanese).
【超絶悲報】東京五輪エンブレムがベルギーの劇場のロゴに酷似
124 2015/07/28 15:38
ベルギーの劇場のロゴのパクリだな
完全に一致！フォントまで同じ！！927 22:32
仏のデザイン会社が速攻気づいて海外で拡散中 pic.twitter.com/FJsUnlr3xn— さんぽねこ (@patrolcat) July 28, 2015
The Théâtre de Liège logo dates from 2013.
On Twitter, graphic designer Olivier Debie uploaded the animated image below, asking if the Tokyo Olympics logo was plagarism. Note that even the fonts do appear somewhat similar.
Théâtre de Liège vs Tokyo 2020#Tokyo2020 #ThéâtredeLiège #plagiat? pic.twitter.com/u64MpWBAI2
— Olivier Debie (@OliDebie) July 28, 2015
As Fashion Snap reports, other Twitter users say the logos are different. Well, what do you think?
To contact the author of this post, write to bashcraftATkotaku.com or find him on Twitter@Brian_Ashcraft
Kotaku East is your slice of Asian internet culture, bringing you the latest talking points from Japan, Korea, China and beyond. Tune in every morning from 4am to 8am.
