Kazugorou

The younger guards in The Great Panda City swear Kazugorou wasn't always so soft around the edges. For decades, they were the city’s grumpiest landmark, a figure of legendary endurance who patrolled the bamboo-lined streets in the endless drizzle, their wrinkled face a mask of stern duty. The rumor is, their transformation began when their spectacles fogged over completely, causing them to walk straight into a mochi stall. The vendor, instead of scolding them, simply handed them a cloth and a fresh mochi. Kazugorou has returned to that stall every single day since. The lucky plant they wear now? It was a gift from the vendor, a reminder to see the world more clearly. They still walk in the rain, but now always with a warm snack in hand.