Little Durian Star (榴莲小星) / Doritan

Doritan (also known as Little Durian Star or 榴莲小星) was a mascot created by the Singapore Tourism Board Japan Office in 2007. With a durian head and dressed in a red bodysuit featuring a Merlion design, the mascot was described as “an open, friendly and upbeat five-year-old Singaporean boy who travels around the world with his musician parents”. He once lived in Japan.

A transliteration of his name is Lil Durian: “Dori” is short for durian in Japanese (dorian ドリアン) while “tan” (たん) is an honorific used for babies.

Doritan received greater news coverage when he was chosen to represent the Singapore pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010, where he was called Little Durian Star (榴莲小星) - a loose translation of his Japanese name.

At the Singapore Pavilion—which was also designed to resemble a durian—stickers of Little Durian Star and plushies were given out and sold to young visitors.

Doritan made his return in 2016 as Singapore’s mascot representing SJ50, a year-long celebration marking 50 years of Singapore-Japan ties. Together with Hello Kitty, which represented Japan, both mascots were featured in celebratory collaterals and banners.

Two years later in 2018, Singapore Tourism Board introduced its mascot Merli, which became the face of Singapore tourism and represented Singapore Pavilions in subsequent World Expos.

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